What Nova does

Nova Wakefield District Limited is a registered charity (no. 1143640) and private limited company (no. 07183132) operating as the local infrastructure body for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector within Wakefield District, United Kingdom. It provides free services to member organisations across three membership tiers (Level 1 Universal, Level 2 Specialist, Level 3 Enhanced), covering organisational development, training, networking, funding access, specialist advice, and strategic sector representation through the VCSE Voices network. Core products and services include the Community Investment Gateway (a funding portal launched in 2021 as the Third Sector Framework, which has channelled over £3.5 million to VCSE providers), Live Well Wakefield (social prescribing delivered with health partners), The Directory (a searchable database of local VCSE organisations), the Wakefield Volunteer Managers Network, and a Training and Events Programme.

The underlying technology is a straightforward web-based membership portal on nova-wd.org.uk handling newsletter signup, membership applications, and support requests; there are no proprietary AI, API, or SDK capabilities disclosed. Nova does not monetise members directly; instead, its operating budget is funded through grants, local authority contracts, and institutional partnerships with Wakefield Council, the Wakefield District Health & Care Partnership, Community Foundation Wakefield District, West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS), Young Lives Consortium, and Prosper Wakefield District, supplemented historically by European Union Structural Investment Funds. Revenue model is effectively a grant-funded, managed-services infrastructure play, with the Community Investment Gateway and Funding Coordination Services representing the principal streams.

The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Hayley Grocock with Vice Chair Chris Bann and Interim Treasurer Antony Nelson, and led operationally by Chief Executive Officer Maddy Sutcliffe and Head of Operations Natalie Jones, supported by approximately 30 staff members including specialist advisers, grants managers, a communications manager, finance manager, and community development workers. Nova serves as the convening point for an ecosystem measured by 11,994 volunteers contributing 863,574 hours annually and an estimated £11,735,970 in economic value to the district. Its go-to-market is community-led and vertical (VCSE infrastructure), with no geographic expansion beyond Wakefield identified in the available data.

Name

Nova

Legal name

Nova Wakefield District Limited

Website

https://nova-wd.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nova Wakefield District is a UK-registered charity that serves as the local infrastructure body for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations in Wakefield District, providing free tiered membership, funding administration through the Community Investment Gateway, training, networking, and strategic sector representation to its VCSE members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Support

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• VCSE infrastructure support
• Charity membership services
• Community development funding
• Voluntary sector training
• Social prescribing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wakefield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Nova membership is free for eligible VCSE organizations working within Wakefield District. The organization provides free services funded through grants and institutional funding.
2. Grant Administration: Nova administers grant funds for VCSE organizations including the Community Investment Gateway, coordinating funding opportunities for members.
3. Funding Coordination: Nova coordinates funding opportunities and administers various grant funds to financially support the work of local VCSE organisations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nova Wakefield District is a local infrastructure charity that provides free membership-based support services to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Wakefield District, United Kingdom. Its core offering is a three-tier membership programme (Level 1 Universal, Level 2 Specialist, Level 3 Enhanced) combined with grant administration through the Community Investment Gateway, training and events, strategic sector representation, social prescribing via Live Well Wakefield, and a directory of VCSE organisations.

Product overview

Nova Wakefield District is a local infrastructure charity offering a comprehensive suite of services to support, grow and empower Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Wakefield District. The core offering centres on a free tiered membership programme (Membership) providing three support levels: Level 1 Universal for foundational benefits, Level 2 Specialist for learning and peer support, and Level 3 Enhanced for intensive organisational development. Key services include the Community Investment Gateway (funding portal connecting funders with VCSE providers), VCSE Voices Network (advocacy and policy influence), Live Well Wakefield (social prescribing), The Directory (organisation database), Wakefield Volunteer Managers Network, and Training & Events Programme. Nova also coordinates grant funding and administers the Wakefield District Funders Forum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nova Membership Free membership programme for VCSE organisations in Wakefield District offering tiered support across three levels: Level 1 (Universal) provides foundational benefits including newsletters, networking, and resources; Level 2 (Specialist) offers advanced learning and peer support; Level 3 (Enhanced) delivers intensive organisational growth and enterprise support.
• Community Investment Gateway Funding platform connecting funders with trusted VCSE providers in Wakefield District, including small hyper-local groups. Since 2021, over £3.5 million has been awarded to VCSE organisations through this partnership approach.
• VCSE Voices Network Project that recruits and supports VCSE sector members to attend strategic decision-making meetings across the district, enabling the sector to influence policy and participate in cross-sector discussions through monthly network meetings.
• Live Well Wakefield Social prescribing programme delivered in partnership with health services, connecting individuals to community support and activities to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
• The Directory Comprehensive database of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations working in Wakefield District, allowing users to search and connect with local VCSE organisations by location and sector.
• Wakefield Volunteer Managers Network Peer support network for local volunteer managers and coordinators to share best practice, find resources, and organise events including annual Volunteers' Week celebrations, as part of Nova's volunteering support services.
• Training and Events Programme Regular training sessions, networking events, funders sessions, and information sessions available to members, covering topics such as contracting with the public sector, health initiatives, and organisational development.
• Funding Coordination Services Nova administers grant funds to financially support VCSE organisations, coordinates various funding opportunities, and facilitates the Wakefield District Funders Forum bringing together local and national funders with commissioners.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wakefield CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership in the Community Investment Gateway (formerly Third Sector Framework) to channel investment to VCSE organisations in Wakefield District.
• Community Foundation Wakefield DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent charity set up in 2007 to support people across Wakefield District. They support households with fuel poverty, provide funding for community projects, help local businesses, and recognise volunteer contributions at annual Unsung Heroes Awards.
• West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique in West Yorkshire, operating since 2000 to support organisations to manage finances more effectively. Offers training, support and tailored services to help manage finances and meet regulatory requirements, particularly within the VCSE sector.
• Young Lives ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA membership organisation of Voluntary Community Sector groups working with children and young people aged 0-25 years across Wakefield District. Provides representation, support, training, and information services.
• Prosper Wakefield DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously Wakefield and District Health and Community Support, supporting communities for over 200 years. The largest independent grant maker in the district, investing in community health and wellbeing.
• Wakefield District Health & Care PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the Community Investment Gateway connecting funders with trusted VCSE providers including small groups working at hyper-local level.
• Jo Cox FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on 'Let's Talk Wakefield' programme bringing community dialogue and engagement to the district.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): Largest membership body for the voluntary sector in England. Comparable on membership-model, training and policy representation — but operates nationally rather than as a single-district infrastructure charity.
• NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action): National membership body supporting local VCSE infrastructure organisations (CVS / Councils for Voluntary Service) across England. Comparable as a sector umbrella, but operates nationally rather than at a single district level.
• ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England): National network of rural community-development organisations providing infrastructure support, training and advocacy. Adjacent peer operating at a national/rural level with a similar infrastructure-charity model.

Direct peers

• Locality: UK-wide membership body for community-led organisations and local VCSE infrastructure charities. Highly comparable: provides membership tiers, training, funding advice and sector representation analogous to Nova's role in Wakefield District.
• Community Matters: Yorkshire-wide network supporting community organisations and volunteer-led groups. Comparable peer providing training, networking and infrastructure support to small VCSE organisations across the region.

Regional players

• Bradford District VCS Alliance: Voluntary and Community Sector alliance covering the Bradford District. Offers comparable infrastructure-charity services — membership, funding coordination, training and advocacy — in a neighbouring West Yorkshire geography.
• Leeds Voluntary Action: Local VCSE infrastructure organisation for the Leeds district offering membership, training, funding advice and sector representation. Direct functional peer to Nova, operating in an adjacent West Yorkshire district.
• Sheffield Council for Voluntary Service: Local infrastructure body for VCSE organisations in Sheffield. Functionally identical model to Nova — membership, advice, training, funding coordination — but operating in a different South Yorkshire district.
• Walsall Voluntary Action: Local VCSE infrastructure charity serving the Walsall borough. Closely mirrors Nova's model: free membership, training/events, funding coordination and strategic representation — but in a different West Midlands geography.

Others

• West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS): Existing strategic partner of Nova providing specialist finance/accounting support to VCSE organisations across West Yorkshire. Adjacent infrastructure organisation supporting the same end-customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nova_wd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjrXzexqqvmfuNZS-Vqau-w
• Facebookfacebook.com/novawakefielddistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nova-wakefield
• TikToktiktok.com/@novawfd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nova