Social enterprises and charities encouraged to apply for funding from £4 million fund

First Ark group head of investments, Hannah Jones

Social enterprises and charities from across Greater Manchester are being encouraged to apply for investment from a £4 million fund.

The ‘Invest for Impact’ fund is dedicated to creating long-lasting social impact in communities around the region by offering finance between £50,000 and £150,000 in the form of grants and loans.

The funding can be obtained through First Ark Social Investment, who work with social organisations by supporting them through the application process. First Ark Social Investment has already approved over £1.4 million with a broad range of charities including £50,000 for Wigan Housing Solutions.

Wigan Housing Solutions is a lettings management company that help unemployed and homeless people find housing in and around Wigan. First Ark Social Investment worked with Wigan Housing Solutions for 6 months to assess the organisation and which areas could be expanded to generate further income. Wigan Housing Solutions then submitted a successful application for a £35,000 loan and a £15,000 grant through the Invest for Impact fund.

First Ark Social Investment is also an approved Access Point for the Reach Fund which provides smaller grants of up to £15,000. First Ark Social Investment have a team of financial services professionals to assist organisations looking for funding, advising them on the best finance solutions to suit their needs and maximising their chances of a successful application.

First Ark Social Investment have now issued a call for more applications from charities and social enterprises across the North West.

First Ark group head of investments, Hannah Jones, said: “The North West social economy has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months and we’re already starting to see our social investments deliver positive change in communities across the region. We are really pleased with the work that we have done over the last year, however, we are always looking to do more and that’s why we are asking charities and social enterprises to speak to us about their financing needs. Our priority is to develop skills and enable communities to become more sustainable and we’re keen speak to anyone who wants to build a better future for their community.”

Anyone who is interested in speaking to First Ark Social Investment about finance for their social organisation should call 0800 464 0797 and ask to speak to one of the investment team.