Aims/priorities: The Enterprise Development Programme aims to provide business and financial support to charities and social enterprises in England that are thinking of exploring new enterprise models and require financial or business support to make the transition, with the ultimate aim of taking on social investment in the future. The programme is open to organisations working across a range of sectors, which will vary as the programme runs its course.
Currently applications are invited from organisations working in the following sectors:
- Youth.
- Mental health.
- Equality.
- Black and minoritised communities
Who can apply? Applications are accepted from not-for-profit organisations working with Black and minoritised communities in the Humber and Yorkshire, London, the Midlands, the North West or South West of England. To be eligible, applicants must be a legally constituted charity, voluntary sector organisation, or social enterprise which:
- Has a minimum of 70% of the board of trustees and at least 51% of senior staff from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
- Has a clear social mission.
- Distributes less than 50% of post-tax profits and reinvests at least 51% of surpluses into pursuing its social mission.
- Has a constitutional or contractual lock on its social mission, dividend and surplus distribution policy (also known as an asset lock).
- Has been operating as a registered company/charity for at least two years.
- Can evidence current trading activities, which require support/development, or commitment from senior management and the Board to pilot/test a coherent trading idea.
- Can demonstrate evidence of trading or is actively looking to diversify and grow income through trading.
- Has the staff capacity and support of the board of trustees to engage fully with the programme.
- Can commit to playing an active part in contributing to the shared learning within the enterprise movement network.
Grant amount: Individual packages of financial and business support are available for successful applicants. These are likely to include some or all of the following:
- Grants of up to £30,000 to research or test out new ideas, to launch new enterprises or grow existing ones (grants are likely to be subject to agreed milestones or evidence of growing income sources).
- Extensive peer-learning and networking opportunities.
- Training and learning opportunities tailored to needs.
- Extensive peer-learning and networking opportunities.
- Access to a team of pro bono legal experts to provide support with the legal considerations of trading.
- Invitations to conferences on enterprise development and social investment within the wider charitable sector.
Application process: There is a two-stage application process.
Stage 1 application forms ask applicants to explain their organisation's mission, provide details about their leadership and provide a top-line explanation on their proposed trading activity.
Successful Stage 1 applicants will be invited to complete a Stage 2 application.
Online application forms can be accessed on the Enterprise Development Programme website
Deadline: The Stage 1 application windows for 2022 are:
- 23 May (10am) to 13 June 2022 (midday).
- 6 September (10am) to 27 September 2022 (midday).
- 14 December (10am) to 14 December 2022 (midday).
Contact Information:
SIB Team
Social Investment Business (SIB)
CAN Mezzanine Borough
7-14 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YR
Tel: 020 3096 7900
Email: enterprisedevelopment@sibgroup.org.uk
Yvonne Witter
The Ubele Initiative
Wolves Lane Horticultural Centre
Wolves Lane
London
N22 5JD
Tel: 07591 457113
Email: yvonne.witter@ubele.org.uk
Website address: https://www.enterprisedevelopmentprogramme.org.uk/