Charities and the Third Sector
Charities & Third Sector tenders enable voluntary organisations, CICs, and social enterprises to access procurement opportunities commissioned by Local Authorities, Integrated Care Boards, NHS trusts, and central government departments across England.
They cover a wide range of services, from community wellbeing and outreach through to domestic abuse support, homelessness services, employment support, and specialist counselling and therapeutic services.
Contracts range from small, locally commissioned grants-in-all-but-name through to multi-year, multi-hundred-thousand-pound contracts, and submissions are assessed on outcomes, safeguarding, financial sustainability, and social value alongside service quality.
Charities & Third Sector bids
Charities and third sector organisations deliver publicly funded services across a broad range of sectors. The following categories reflect the types of contracts typically available.
Community & Wellbeing Support
Safeguarding & Specialist Support Services
Homelessness & Housing Support
Employment & Social Enterprise
Community Health
Moving from Grant Funding to Tenders?
If your organisation has mostly relied on grant funding, tendering works differently. Submissions are scored against published evaluation criteria, and you’re competing directly against other providers rather than being assessed on need alone.
We can help!
Why consider tenders?
Contracted, stable income
Charities & Third Sector contracts typically run for one to three years, giving your organisation a more reliable, contracted income stream than grant funding alone.
Growing commissioning reliance on VCSE organisations
Local Authorities, ICBs, and NHS trusts increasingly commission voluntary and community sector organisations directly for outreach, wellbeing, and specialist support services, recognising the trust and reach these organisations already have within communities.
Credibility and long-term commissioner relationships
Holding a public sector contract signals to commissioners that your organisation meets rigorous safeguarding, financial, and quality standards, carrying weight when applying for further contracts or framework renewals.
Growth, reach and service expansion
Public sector contracts can provide the stable income base needed to expand service delivery, grow your team, and reach a wider community than grant-funded project work alone typically allows.
Costs
Fees: Our fees are scoped individually based on the nature and complexity of each submission. Pricing is provided following an initial consultation.
Bidding as a consortium?
Some Charities & Third Sector tenders are best approached as a consortium or with named subcontractors. For example, a smaller charity may partner with a larger organisation to meet financial thresholds, or several community organisations combining to cover a wider geographic footprint. This can strengthen your bid by demonstrating broader reach and shared capacity.
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SOCIAL VALUE
Social Value is increasingly a scored requirement in Charities & Third Sector procurement, and often an area where VCSE organisations already have a natural advantage.
BidElevate supports organisations to develop credible, evidenced Social Value commitments aligned to commissioner expectations, helping you articulate the community impact you’re already delivering!
What is a Framework?
Many Charities & Third Sector contracts, particularly community health, wellbeing, and outreach services. Many are commissioned through Frameworks or Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS).
🎉TEnder success story
£750,000 NHS contract win awarded to a South London CIC
BidElevate supported a community interest organisation in their successful bid for the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) Housing and Social Support Navigation service.
The organisation was awarded the contract in July 2026, valued at £750,000 over the contract term.