The new Thrive Together Fund will provide unrestricted funding to unlock the growth of small and medium sized charities and social enterprises.
This bold new fund is operated through a delivery partnership made up of Social Investment Business, the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), Co-operative and Community Finance, Fredericks Foundation, Groundwork and Homeless Link.
With £6m available, the Fund will combine grant funding with repayable finance providing a funding package of loan (75%) and grant (25%) to eligible organisations that are improving people’s lives, or the environment in which they live, in England only.
Through blending funding in this way, the partnership intends to expand the reach of social investment to smaller organisations or those based in disadvantaged areas, targeting funding where it can be most effective at promoting equitable outcomes, and ensuring that any interventions enhance the social and economic capacity of an area.
The Fund is supported by £3.6m from Access – The Foundation for Social Investment through their Enterprise Growth for Communities Programme, alongside a £3m investment by Social Investment Business Foundation. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided the legal support to create the fund.
For further details, including full eligibility criteria, product details and FAQs, please visit: Thrive Together Fund | Funding | Social Investment Business (sibgroup.org.uk)
Matthew Mckeague, Chief Executive Officer at the Architectural Heritage Fund, said:
“The AHF is really pleased to be named as one of the delivery partners for the Thrive Together Fund. This is the first blended finance product for the AHF and its flexibility will assist funded organisations to improve their resilience and growth.
The focus of our work is supporting communities, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas, to revitalise historic buildings for community and local economic benefit - we welcome the fact that 50% of the funding will be invested in the 30% most deprived neighbourhoods in England, helping to reach a more diverse range of people.”
Rob Benfield, Director of Grants and investments at Social Investment Business, said:
“There are many internal and external barriers to the growth of small and medium sized charities and social enterprises. We are delighted to be bringing together such an expert and experienced partnership to help tackle those barriers, and to provide appropriate finance and support where it is needed most.”
Neil Berry, Director of Programmes at Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, said:
“Blended finance is particularly effective at supporting small and medium sized charities and social enterprises to increase their impact, build their resilience and reach more people, particularly in underserved communities. We’re thrilled to be supporting the new Thrive Together Fund – backed by the Dormant Assets Scheme - unlocking growth and boosting economic output and productivity in communities across England."
