Social Enterprise Assist Fund

Quote from Warren Jones

SE-Assist is an innovative funding model in which social enterprises can access funding alongside mentoring support from large businesses.

After two highly successful rounds of funding, the Social Enterprise Assist Fund has launched in Wales for the third time!

Ten social enterprises in Wales have already benefitted from this fantastic scheme and now’s your chance to join them.

If you need money to become more sustainable or increase your business capacity, and expert mentoring to help you focus your direction and growth plans, then you should seriously consider applying for this localised social investment initiative.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • An interest free loan from £10,000 – £30,000 (with the potential to borrow more at 6.5%)
  • Expert business mentoring support
  • Access to professional advisory services and a cohort of local ambitious social enterprises.

Even the process of application itself can be beneficial, helping you evaluate your current position with feedback from funders.

Social Enterprise Assist Wales is managed by Legal & General, CAF Venturesome and the Wales Co-operative Centre, with support from Welsh Government, Business in the Community and the Institute of Directors.

The team behind the Social Enterprise Assist Wales fund really believe that affordable finance, paired with local business support, gives social enterprises the greatest chance of success in scaling their impact and boosting their communities.

Applications open on 17 April and close on 18 May. To apply, please visit the SE Assist Wales website.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • be based within Wales
  • have a social impact that addresses a local social or environmental need, in line with the non-profit social enterprise definition set out above
  • turnover less than £500,000 pa (over the last three years) for the organisation, or specific initiative, for which you are applying
  • have borrowing powers as defined in your constitution
  • have, or be working towards, a sustainable business model
  • be seeking support for organisational growth or sustainability
  • have a clear need for package of support that SE-Assist will provide
  • outline how the loan will be used and repaid