Funding
Get started or progress your social business to the next stage of your journey. With up to £18,000 available to fund organisational costs and help you grow your impact.
Starting up
Social business is not established or been running under a year.
Up to
£8,000
Starting from
£500
Scaling up
Social business has been running over a year and under 4 years.
Up to
£18,000
Starting from
£5,000
Support
Accessing our support to become a social leader. Get advice, guidance and the expertise needed to build on the foundations of your social business and grow your impact.
Dedicated support manager
Someone to coach, mentor and support you to achieve your goals.
Expert mentors and pro bono support
Expert advice and mentoring through our generous community of business professionals, corporate partners and social entrepreneurs who volunteer their skills and expertise.
Workshops and learning
Through our regular workshops and support you will be able to learn about different aspects of running a social business.
Our focus areas
In addition to our Awards, we have two focus areas where we think social entrepreneurs can make a big difference. We have dedicated teams and specialist support available to social entrepreneurs with ideas to help people in these areas.
Over the next five years we want to improve the health and wellbeing of 135,000 marginalised older adults in the UK, and reduce health inequalities.
You have a business idea aimed at helping people into good jobs and meaningful employment, particularly those who are currently denied those opportunities.
How to apply for Awards
1
Submit your application
We recommend getting your application in early so that we have time to ensure we have everything we need to assess it.
Application dates
| Quarter | Accepted | Assessed | Decision week commencing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | Apr - Jun | Jun 27 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 - Jun 30 | Jul - Sep | Sep 26 |
| Q3 | Jul 1 - Sep 30 | Oct - Dec | Dec 12 |
| Q4 | Oct - Dec 31 | Jan - Mar | TBC |
We need some financial data from you if you have been trading for over a year. Visit our financial data page if this applies to you.
2
Initial checks
Once received we will check your application meets our eligibility criteria.
All applications are also subject to our robust safeguarding policies .
3
Support manager assessment
If the application meets our eligibility criteria, our team will then review the application based on impact, inclusion and sustainability.
4
Peer review
Applications which show potential will be discussed alongside others at peer review to progress those with the most potential to meet our panel.
5
Panel stage
Here you will have the opportunity to discuss your application with a panel made up of staff and former awards winners.
6
Result
A recommendation is made to our Awards Committee (a group of our trustees which also includes social entrepreneurs) who make the final decision on your application. You will be informed of the outcome of your application.
Eligibility
Social entrepreneur
ELIGIBLE
- Are 16+ years old.
- Living in the UK.
- The founder of the social business.
NOT ELIGIBLE
- Looking for funding for a one-off or short-term project where there is limited potential for a sustained and longer-term impact.
- Requests for support which are predominately for the individual to undertake academic qualifications or overseas travel
- Individuals who plan to employ others to undertake most of the work on their behalf
Social business
ELIGIBLE
- Has the potential to be a financially sustainable business or real prospects to grow with our support
- Can demonstrate a clear need for your idea or social business
- Is clearly driven by its social purpose
- Needs our financial and non-financial support to make it happen
NOT ELIGIBLE
- Is predominantly focused on having an impact on people or places outside the UK
- Legally established for over four years at the time of application (Companies House or Charity Commission registration)
- Had a turnover of over £250,000 in their last financial year
- Political or involves religious campaigning.
- Involves activities outside of the law, against public policy or anything which encourages ethnic, religious or commercial disharmony
- Social businesses whose focus is raising awareness of social issues
Our partners and funders
The organisations which make Awards funding and support possible.
New Partner
Social Firms Wales
We have partnered with Social Firms Wales to launch Ecwiti, funding and support for social entrepreneurs in Wales funded by the Welsh Government.
Read more about this partnership
Equity, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to using our resources to drive change. At least 50% of our Awards will support social entrepreneurs who come from a disabled and/or Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
Our equity commitments