Social Investment Business (SIB), a UK registered charity and trading company that offers loans, grants and other financial products to charities and social enterprises, has launched a new £17 million loan fund.
The Community Builders Fund, which opened to applications on Tuesday 18th March 2025, is open to charities, social enterprises and community organisations across England, Wales and Scotland (the Fund isn’t available to organisations in Northern Ireland). Loans from £100,000 to £1.5 million are available for organisations that are improving people’s lives and/or the environment they live in.
Loans are being offered at a fixed rate, so organisations can borrow with certainty for up to six years, knowing that the interest cost will not increase at any time.
There is also an additional £1 million of grant funding to be given alongside loans for Black and racially minoritised charities and social enterprises. Contact SIB for more information about the availability of this funding.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
o Be based in England, Wales, or Scotland.
o Legally constituted and a registered charity or social enterprise.
o Primarily constituted for social benefit improving people’s lives or the environments they live in.
o Operating for at least two years.
o Have a minimum turnover of £400k in its last financial year (or £200k if the organisation is based in Scotland or Wales), and
o Not subject to any insolvency proceedings e.g. winding-up, administration, insolvency, bankruptcy.
Potential applicants who would like to talk about their eligibility or any questions they have about the application process can contact Social Investment Business by email at loans@sibgroup.org.uk.
Applications may be made at any time.
Further information is available on SIB’s Community Builders Fund webpages.
