7 November 2022
Fresh Guidance Issued for the Connect Fund
Funding to build a better social investment market in England.
Barrow Cadbury Trust has updated the funding strands available under its Connect Fund, which has the following aims:
- Improving the connection of social investment to charities and social enterprises.
- Connecting voluntary sector infrastructure to the social investment market.
- Advancing a more open, diverse and accessible social investment market.
- Connecting social investment intermediaries through partnerships, tools and resources and learning.
The Fund, which was previously focused on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Post-Covid Resilience, is now requesting applications under the following strands:
- Peer Networks to Support Market Building – creating a supportive network that allows enterprises to discuss and seek help with idea development or business planning.
- Challenging Power with Participation – involving the communities affected by investment decisions in decision-making processes.
Applicants must be based in England and incorporated as a charity, social enterprise or have charitable objectives clearly incorporated into their articles of purpose with an appropriate asset/mission lock. Additionally, organisations must already be social investors or fund managers to be eligible to apply.
Funding provided for individual projects will vary. Recent grants have ranged from £6,000 to £60,000.
The deadline to apply is 31 December 2022.