Aims/priorities: Social investment is a form of repayable finance tailored to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, including community groups and charities, to support them to deliver their social impact.
Whether you address social needs, aim to strengthen communities, improve people’s life chances, enhance culture or protect the environment - if your business trades (or aims to trade) for the common good, or is looking to create community assets, social investment could be right for you.
Social investment is not suitable for everyone, and it should be considered alongside other options. For a full explanation of different forms of social investment read our brief guide.
Social investment may include an element of grant funding but normally it will require repayment on an agreed basis.
We want to help you finance your own initiatives that will kick start growth. This could include:
- Community owned housing
- Community sports facilities
- Refurbishing an asset
- Growing your trading activity
- Growing your customer base
- Improving your marketing efforts
- Purchase of equipment
- Hiring new staff
- Developing new or existing products
Who can apply? Any organisation or business trading for social good and working in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan) that is looking to grow their trading activity and has been trading for at least 6 months.
Grant amount: They offer
- Unsecured investments between £20,000 and £100,000.
- Blended finance; this means the investment includes a grant of an average of 20% of your total investment.
- An initial interest-only period of up to 6 months may be available.
Application process: If you are thinking about applying, we strongly recommend you speak to our social investment team. You can contact us by emailing gmsocinvest@gmcvo.org.uk or calling 0161 277 1007. We will arrange an initial meeting with you where we can learn more about your plans.
You can also fill out an online Enquiry form here.
When you apply, we will provide you with a guide of the documents you will need to complete before we can take your case to a GMCVO panel. If you have any barriers to providing the documents, speak to the investment team who will be able to advise you on additional support for completing them.
Deadline: Not specified.
Contact information: Email gmsocinvest@gmcvo.org.uk
Website: Enterprising Communities Fund