Interest-free loans to help your social enterprise grow

SE-ASSIST FUND

The SE-Assist Fund offers interest free loans from £10,000 to £30,000 which can be used to help you grow, become more sustainable or increase your business capacity. It also offers expert mentoring to focus your direction and growth plans.

SE-Assist is for social enterprises, as well as entrepreneurial charities, meeting a local social or environmental need.

The SE-Assist Fund is launching in Wales for the fourth time in July 2019 and applications are open until 27 August 2019.

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

Expert advice

Our mentors are on hand to share their experience and support to guide you and keep you motivated.

A REVIEW OF THE SE-ASSIST FUND

In late 2018 CAF Venturesome undertook a review of SE-Assist with the aim of sharing key learnings of how the fund has supported early stage social enterprises and charities across Greater Brighton/Sussex, Croydon and Wales since 2012.

We're pleased to be able to share this with you.

Download your copy

WHAT WE OFFER

Successful applicants will receive a package of support including:

An interest free loan from £10,000 - £30,000 (with the potential to borrow more at 6.5%)
Support to improve financial management
Optional access to expert business mentoring support
Optional access to a range of expert support for organisational development
Networking with other ambitious local social enterprises

Even the process of application itself can be beneficial, helping you evaluate your current position with feedback from funders. Past investees are very positive about the process and support they receive throughout, finding it helpful for developing a robust business plan, which is crucial to the longevity and resilience of their enterprises.

“We are very grateful to SE-Assist Wales Fund for providing loan finance during a very challenging period. We have used the funds productively to improve our commercial sustainability and maintain and enhance our community impact. The application process was rigorous but SE- Assist provided us with excellent guidance at each stage of the process.”

Tom Whyatt MBE - Chair, Llanhilleth Miners Institute

CAN WE HELP YOU?

You must be based in Wales
Have, or be working towards, a sustainable business model evidenced by trading and/or funds raised
Have a social impact that addresses a local social or environmental need
Have a turnover less than £500,000 per annum
SE-Assist uses charitable funds to invest in social enterprises. All social enterprises with legal structures other than registered charities can still apply but will be subject to CAF Venturesome’s charitable validation process.

Download our SE-Assist flyer

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are open until 27 August 2019.

Once registered, we will send you helpful information on how to write a successful application and send you reminders of the closing date. We will also invite you to take part in the webinars that we’ll be hosting during the application window, which will give you the opportunity to ask questions and help you to prepare your submission.

Shortlisted organisations will be asked to attend and present at our pitch day in Wales on 30 October 2019.

To access this information in Welsh and register your interest, visit the SE-Assist website

SE-ASSIST IN ACTION

Elite Paper Solutions

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£30,000 interest free unsecured loan

Social investment providing jobs for the long-term unemployed

Read how Elite have created 34 permanent jobs

Empower - Be the Change

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£30,000 interest free unsecured loan

Training in social skills builds confidence and leads to employment

Want to know more?

TALK TO US TODAY

Contact our expert team for an initial chat about social investment through CAF Venturesome.

Get in touch now

CAF Venturesome

SUPPORTING SMALL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

SE-ASSIST FUND

Expert advice

A REVIEW OF THE SE-ASSIST FUND

WHAT WE OFFER

CAN WE HELP YOU?

HOW TO APPLY

SE-ASSIST IN ACTION

Elite Paper Solutions

Empower - Be the Change

Want to know more?

TALK TO US TODAY

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