Social enterprises need to earn their income (generate sales) as soon as possible, but most will need support to get started so here’s a few useful sources
- The Power To Change is an independent Trust that has been endowed £150m to support community enterprise development across the UK
- The School for Social Entrepreneurs run the Llyods Bank funded social entrepreneurs action learning programme which includes initial grants to get started
- UnLtd provide social entrepreneurs with start-up funding to get the idea going. Level 1 Awards can be up to £5,000
- The Social Investment Business aims to connect social and community enterprises with social investors, often have specific grant programmes for social enterprises – check our their “our funds” page for open programmes
- The Princes Trust run an enterprise programme for young people and have a small grants programme
- Funding Central is a website where you can search for funding – local Trusts quite often want to provide ‘seed’ funds
- Setting up or growing a cooperative – The Hive – funding and consultancy support for cooperatives and mutuals
See also: