Funding to build a better social investment market in England.
Barrow Cadbury Trust has updated the funding strands available under its Connect Fund, which has the following aims:
- Improving the connection of social investment to charities and social enterprises.
- Connecting voluntary sector infrastructure to the social investment market.
- Advancing a more open, diverse and accessible social investment market.
- Connecting social investment intermediaries through partnerships, tools and resources and learning.
The Fund, which was previously focused on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Post-Covid Resilience, is now requesting applications under the following strands:
- Peer Networks to Support Market Building - creating a supportive network that allows enterprises to discuss and seek help with idea development or business planning.
- Challenging Power with Participation - involving the communities affected by investment decisions in decision-making processes.
Applicants must be based in England and incorporated as a charity, social enterprise or have charitable objectives clearly incorporated into their articles of purpose with an appropriate asset/mission lock. Additionally, organisations must already be social investors or fund managers to be eligible to apply.
Funding provided for individual projects will vary. Recent grants have ranged from £6,000 to £60,000.
The deadline to apply is 31 December 2022.
How To Apply
There is a deadline of 31 December 2022 to apply for the:
- Peer Networks to Support Market Building programme.
- Challenge Fund.
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Post-Covid Recovery strands are now winding down. Those interested in applying must first contact the Funders.
Applicants should first submit an Expression of Interest form which is available on the Connect Fund website. Those that meet the criteria will be contacted by the Connect Fund team to discuss their proposal further and invited to submit a full application.
Guidelines for each programme can be found on the Barrow Cadbury website.