Financial support for social enterprises in Northern Ireland

Preparing your social enterprise for funding starts with understanding what funders need to see. Whether you are applying for grants, social investment, community finance or crowdfunding, strong foundations help demonstrate that you know your mission, your market and your financial position.

Taking time to prepare will strengthen your funding applications and make it easier for funders to recognise your potential and the impact their support will help you achieve.

A well‑prepared social enterprise can show:

• who you are – your social mission, values, legal structure and the issue you aim to address
• what you do – the activities you deliver and the evidence of impact you can demonstrate
• how you operate – your business model, finances, governance and long‑term plans

Define your social mission and measure impact

Your social mission is the purpose of your enterprise — the change you aim to create and why your work matters. Funders expect this mission to be linked to measurable outcomes, clear indicators and evidence of impact.

Be specific about:

• the issue you’re addressing and who benefits
• the outcomes and indicators you intend to track
• how you collect, analyse and use data to improve performance

Gathering impact evidence, such as testimonials, case studies or before‑and‑after data, helps funders see the difference your work makes.

Develop a clear and realistic business plan

A business plan sets out your aims, market research, products or services, income streams, financial forecasts and social impact metrics. It helps you test ideas, plan your growth and demonstrate how funding will support long‑term sustainability rather than short‑term survival.

A strong business plan should include:

• your value proposition – what makes your enterprise unique and valuable
• your target customers, pricing and market position
• a realistic route to long‑term financial viability

Using templates or checklists can help you structure your plan, and simple impact frameworks allow you to track performance. Creating a short funding summary or pitch based on your plan makes it easier to apply to different funders’ application formats.

Strengthen your governance and operational systems

Good governance shows funders your organisation is well‑run and capable of managing funding responsibly.

This includes having:

• a board with a diverse range of skills
• up‑to‑date policies (for example, safeguarding and data protection)
• clear leadership roles and decision‑making processes

Strong internal operations — such as staff structures, management processes and financial systems — help demonstrate that your social enterprise can deliver projects effectively.

It’s important to provide:

• recent accounts and budgets
• cashflow forecasts
• an overview of key risks and how you plan manage them

Having a mix of income sources — for example trading, grants and contracts — also shows financial stability and reduces reliance on a single funding stream.

Understand and meet funder expectations

Funders want to understand how your business model balances financial sustainability with social impact. A two‑ to three‑year growth plan can help demonstrate clear milestones, KPIs and risk management.

Research the funding landscape to find opportunities aligned with your mission. Different funders prioritise different themes, such as community development, environmental impact or health and well‑being.

Funding options may include:

• social investors
• charitable trusts or foundations
• local authority or regional funds
• community finance providers

Simple customer relationship management (CRM) tools, project reporting systems and financial software can help you track and prepare the reports funders require.

Build strong connections and strategic partnerships

Partnerships can strengthen your funding applications by showing collaboration and shared outcomes. Working with complementary organisations can expand your reach and improve impact.

You can include letters of support, partnership agreements or joint working statements to show collaboration and shared commitment to impact.

An investor‑ready pitch or proposal can help you communicate your organisation clearly and concisely.

Your pitch or proposal should summarise:

• your mission and the problem you aim to solve
• your solution and supporting impact evidence
• your business model and financial forecasts
• the team delivering the work
• the funding you are seeking and how it will be used

Social enterprises can access a mix of personal, grant, loan and investment finance at different stages of growth. Developing a clear funding strategy helps you match the right type of finance to your mission, legal structure and long-term plans.

Use personal resources and networks

Many social enterprises start with personal savings or financial support from friends and family. This can be a straightforward way to fund early activity, but it also carries personal and relational risk.

Consider:

• Only invest what you can afford to lose
• Putting agreements in writing when borrowing from friends or relatives
• Being open about repayment expectations to avoid misunderstandings

Apply for grants

Grants are non-repayable funds from charities, trusts, government organisations and foundations. They typically support specific projects, community needs or social outcome.

Grant applications often have strict deadlines and eligibility requirements, so planning is essential.

The Northern Ireland business support finder is a searchable database that helps you find publicly-funded and not-for-profit support you may be eligible for.

Access loans and social lending options

Banks are becoming more familiar with the social enterprise model. When approaching a lender, present a clear business plan, cashflow forecast and a realistic repayment strategy.

You can also consider social lenders or community finance providers, who may offer more flexible terms and place greater value on social impact. All lenders will expect repayment, so ensure your funding needs and repayment plan are clearly communicated.

Traditional banks are becoming more familiar with the social enterprise model. When approaching a lender, present a clear business plan, cashflow forecast and a realistic repayment strategy.

Use equity and social investment

If your organisation's structure allows, you may be able to raise finance by selling shares to investors. Social investment combines financial return with measurable social or environmental outcomes.

Purpose-driven venture capital funds and angel investors increasingly support organisations with strong missions and impact frameworks. Some invest through dedicated impact funds that assess both profit and community benefit.

Consider crowdfunding and community finance

Crowdfunding platforms allow you to receive smaller contributions from a large number of people while building community support around your project or enterprise.

Options include:

• Reward‑based crowdfunding – supporters receive a product or benefit
• Equity crowdfunding – available to some social enterprises, depending on legal structure
• Community shares – enabling local people to invest directly in community‑based organisations
• Peer‑to‑peer lending – individuals lending money to your enterprise through regulated platforms

Government and publicly-funded support

National and local government bodies sometimes offer grants, loans, and support for social enterprises.

Sources include:

• Go Succeed – Northern Ireland’s business support service
• Shared Island Fund and the International Fund for Ireland – support for cross-border or community-focused projects.
• Local councils – short-term funding calls, programmes and business support. Find your local council in Northern Ireland.

Access start-up accelerators and incubators

Accelerators and incubators support early‑stage social enterprises by offering training, mentorship, network access and, in some cases, seed funding. Examples include trusts and foundations that nurture early-stage social businesses.

These programmes can help refine your business model and prepare you for future funding.

Develop corporate and philanthropic partnerships

Partnerships with businesses and philanthropic organisations may not always offer direct financial investment. However, they can provide valuable non‑financial support such as:

• Pro bono expertise
• Mentoring and leadership development
• Access to networks, customers or supply chains

Diversify and blend your income sources

A sustainable social enterprise doesn’t rely on one source of funding. Building a balanced mix of income streams increases your stability, reduces risk, and strengthens your appeal to funders.

Consider combining different income sources to create a funding blend. For example, trading income might sustain your day-to-day operations, while grants could fund innovation or pilot projects.

Discover how the Workspace Group expanded their social enterprise through strategic business diversification.

Securing funding becomes is easier when your social enterprise plans, builds trust and can show clear, measurable impact. Funders want to see that you understand their priorities, can deliver what you promise, and manage money responsibly. The steps below can help you strengthen your approach and improve your chances of success.

Research funders and check eligibility

Every funder has specific criteria. Before applying, check whether your organisation meets the requirements. Some grants target particular communities, themes or organisation types, such as charities, cooperatives or early-stage enterprises.

To respond quickly when opportunities arise, keep key documents up to date, including your:

• business plan
• financial accounts
• impact data and case studies

Build strong relationships and networks

Strong relationships help you hear about funding earlier, access advice, and demonstrate credibility. Funders are more likely to support organisations they know and trust.

Ways to build your network include:

• joining sector networks and attending events (use the Events Finder to search for opportunities)
• forming partnerships with other social entrepreneurs
• engaging with funders before applying — share updates, invite them to site visits and attend briefing events

Measure and demonstrate your social impact

Impact evidence is essential for both grant funders and social investors. They need to see measurable change and alignment with their priorities.

Track and report:

• outcomes such as employability, environmental impact, or cost-of-living support
• how your outcomes link to the funder’s goals
• regular impact updates, case studies and testimonials
• feedback from service users and partners

Impact reporting helps you demonstrate the value of your work and strengthens future applications.

Show operational and financial confidence

Funders need reassurance that their support will be well managed. Strong governance, effective systems and robust finances build confidence in your organisation.

To put this into practice, make sure your social enterprise can:

• maintain a skilled and diverse board
• provide accurate financial forecasts and up-to-date accounts
• evidence relevant leadership experience
• show clear policies safeguarding, risk management and data protection
• use monitoring systems to track performance and delivery

Set achievable goals and avoid overpromising

Ambition attracts funders — but only if your goals are realistic. Set achievable milestones and KPIs, explain potential risks and how you will manage them. Avoid overpromising what funding can deliver and be transparent about limitations.

Be clear and specific about your funding ask

When approaching a funder, be specific, concise, and transparent. They will want to know:

• how much funding you need
• what the money will be used for
• what outcomes it will deliver
• how you will measure success

Clear asks make it easier for funders to assess alignment with their objectives.

Match your proposal to the right funder

Not every funder is suitable for every project. Research each funder’s priorities, target groups and past funding decisions. Apply only where there is a strong alignment with your mission and outcomes.

Tailor each application:

• reflect the funder’s language and focus areas
• avoid sending generic proposals to multiple funders
• highlight where your work aligns with their priorities

Build a strong funding narrative

A compelling funding narrative helps funders understand why your organisation matters and how their support will create impact.

A strong narrative is:

• simple – clearly explains your mission in clear, plain language
• emotional – shares real stories of people or communities who benefit
• evidence-based – uses data and outcomes to support claims
• future-focused – shows what the funding will enable you to achieve next

Choose funding that aligns with your development stage

Your funding needs will change as your social enterprise grows. Different funders specialise in different stages.

Early-stage funding options

At early stage, you are developing and testing your idea. You may need start‑up or proof‑of‑concept funding. Common support sources include:

• small grants
• seed funding
• early‑stage social investment

Growth-stage funding options

When your organisation is ready to scale — for example by hiring staff, expanding services or entering new markets — your funding needs will change. Options may include:

• social investment loans
• repayable grants
• corporate partnerships
• public contracts

Mature-stage funding options

Established social enterprises may focus on innovation or diversification, such as developing new services or expanding into new regions. At this level, higher‑value or more flexible finance options include:

• larger loans
• equity‑like investment products
• blended finance packages

A wide range of financial schemes and support programmes are available to help social enterprises start, grow and increase their impact.

Current support schemes for launching and expanding social enterprises include:

Community Festival Funding Grant Aid Programme 2026-28

Funding of up to £5,000 is available for a one-year grant, or up to £10,000 for a two-year grant to community, voluntary or charitable organisations for their community festivals.

Find out more about the Community Festival Funding Grant Aid Programme 2026-28.

Children’s Alliance Funding

Grants of up to £15,000 are open to UK not-for-profit organisations delivering activities for young people.

Find out more about the Children’s Alliance Funding.

Rowntree’s Free the Fund Community Grant Programme

Grants for organisations running activities that contribute to community wellbeing.

Find out more about the Rowntree’s Free the Fund Community Grant Programme.

RiSE

The Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) project is a cross-border initiative designed to help rural communities discover how social enterprises can drive sustainability and growth.

Participating groups will share knowledge and gain practical support in areas such as income generation, sustainability, and expanding access to community services.

Find out more about the RiSE.

Seeding Grants

Grants to assist with set up, programme and running costs of newly formed community/voluntary groups.

Find out more about the Seeding Grants.

Community Bursary Scheme 2025/26

The Community Bursary Scheme supports individuals to access routes to community development/education, sports, music, language and/or culture opportunities.

Find out more about the Community Bursary Scheme 2025/26.

Connect Fund

The Connect Fund offers up to £1 million to support partnerships between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. It aims to tackle shared challenges and create new opportunities that benefit communities in Northern Ireland.

Applicants can bid for projects from £300 to £50,000. Funding can be provided for both standalone projects and for a more recurrent project.

Find out more about the Connect Fund.

Grants for Good

The programme offers unrestricted funds that organisations that are making a big impact on communities, people, or the environment. Funding can be used for any of their costs, including core running costs.

Find out more about the Grants for Good.

Funding Futures Programme

The Funding Futures Programme aims to harness the power of young people to find solutions for those who have been sidelined by the financial system.

Through funding and a package of support, the programme will give young people the power to make their communities fairer places to live.

Find out more about the Funding Futures Programme.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support is offered for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Social Enterprise Bootcamp

Bespoke mentoring and exclusive workshops is provided to help enhance the skills of social enterprises which are actively trading with ambitions to grow.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Bootcamp.

Social Enterprise and Co-operative Support

Assistance is available for individuals or groups interested in starting a new social enterprise or co-operative, or for organisations currently relying on funding and wanting to explore moving to a social enterprise or co-operative model.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise and Co-operative Support.

Growth Impact Fund

The Growth Impact Fund is for all social purpose organisations operating in consumer business, education and learning, employment and training, and health and social care.

Find out more about the Growth Impact Fund.

Harnessing Heritage Programme

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) helps communities across the UK find enterprising new ways to revitalise old buildings through advice, grants, and social investment loans.

Find out more about the Harnessing Heritage Programme.

Village Catalyst Programme

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) funds the Village Catalyst Programme, an innovative partnership scheme aiming to help target rural poverty and social isolation via the reuse of historic buildings.

Find out more about the Village Catalyst Programme.

Millennium Awards Trust

The Millennium Awards are open to any social entrepreneur aged 16 years and older tackling a range of social issues.

Find out more about the Millennium Awards Trust.

National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland

The National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland provides funding from £300 to £20,000 to support community-led projects for up to two years.

Find out more about the National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland.

Community Finance Ireland Loan

The Community Finance Ireland Loan is available to social enterprises, community projects and sports clubs across all of Ireland.

Find out more about the Community Finance Ireland Loan.

PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme

Funding to support the implementation of projects through a small grants programme.

Various organisations are eligible to apply, including voluntary sector organisations. Organisations that operate for private profit are not eligible to apply.

Find out more about the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme.

Open Grants Programme

The Clothworkers' Foundation now accept applications for the Open Grants Programme, open to UK registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), social enterprises and other registered UK not-for-profit organisations.

Find out more about the Open Grants Programme.

Business finance and support finder

Use the Northern Ireland Business Support Finder to identify publicly funded support tailored to your needs. It lists grants, loans, advice services and other forms of assistance.

Search the Northern Ireland business support finder.

A wide range of funding and support resources can help social enterprises secure finance at every stage of development. Grants, loans and advisory programmes can help you start, stabilise and grow your organisation. Because each scheme has specific criteria, matching your needs to the right opportunity increases your chances of success.

Below is a summary of organisations offering regular support and the types of assistance available.

Grants and programme funding for social enterprises

• The Arts Council of Northern Ireland provides programme and project funding for organisations using arts and culture to deliver social, educational or community outcomes.
• The Community Action Network (CAN) operates social investment programmes designed to address financial and management challenges of social enterprises. Support can include a mix of grants and tailored business assistance.
• Innovate UK focuses on innovation and R&D‑type activity. Social enterprises with innovative products or services may sometimes be able to access grant or blended finance competitions.
• The National Lottery Community Fund offers small grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations for projects that benefit people and communities. Funding can support activities, equipment, minor refurbishment and organisational development.
• UnLtd is a UK‑wide foundation that finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs. It typically offers staged cash awards alongside personal development and mentoring.

Loans, social investment and finance options

• Invest NI manages several funds aimed at SMEs with growth potential. Some may be open to social enterprises that meet commercial and growth-focused criteria.
• NI Small Business Loan Fund provides smaller, flexible loans to businesses that cannot fully access traditional bank finance. Eligible social enterprises can use these loans for working capital, equipment or growth‑related costs.
• Social Capital Loan Scheme provides repayable finance for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Northern Ireland for capital and development projects. Loans are typically more flexible than commercial lending.
• Community Finance Ireland is a specialist social lender for community and social economy organisations across Ireland. Finance can help with premises, equipment, working capital and project development, often combined with guidance.
• NatWest Social & Community Capital is a charitable investor providing unsecured loans to charities and social enterprises that struggle to access mainstream bank finance.
• Angel Investment Network and other equity investors match ventures with individual investors willing to provide equity or convertible loans, usually in return for a stake and future growth potential.

Advice, networks and support organisations

• Social Enterprise NI is a central meeting point for social enterprises in Northern Ireland offering a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. You can also keep track of the latest events and news relating to social enterprises.
• Go Succeed provides business support across Northern Ireland, including one‑to‑one advice, workshops and mentoring for start-ups and growing businesses.
• School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) runs structured learning programmes for social entrepreneurs across the UK, including start‑up and scale‑up courses.
• Social Enterprise UK is the UK‑wide membership body for social enterprises, offering representation, research, campaigns and networking opportunities.
• Enterprise NI provides start‑up and early‑growth support through a regional network offering workshops, advice and finance signposting.

Government policy, guidance and sector reports

Department for the Economy (DfE) leads on social economy policy for Northern Ireland and sets out the overall strategy, priorities and partnership activity that support the social economy across the region.

Northern Ireland Social Enterprise Sector Report 2025 presents data on the size, contribution and characteristics of the NI social enterprise sector.

NI Assembly Briefing (2025) provides an independent analysis of the NI social enterprise sector for MLAs, including challenges facing the sector and policy options.

Cabinet Office encourages public bodies to embed social value in procurement, creating market opportunities in which social impact contributes to tender scoring.

UK finance schemes and commercial lending

British Business Bank operates UK‑wide guarantee and investment schemes through accredited partner lenders. While its products are not social‑enterprise‑specific, organisations structured as companies may be able to access support indirectly through participating banks and funds, such as Start Up Loans or growth finance programmes.

Commercial lending through mainstream commercial banks usually does not offer social‑enterprise‑specific products, but some trading social enterprises may still be eligible for standard business lending if their business model demonstrates commercial viability.

Running a social enterprise can be rewarding, but securing funding is highly competitive.

Follow these tips to sharpen your purpose, build a resilient business model, and present a stronger case to potential funders:

1. Define your purpose. Be clear about what you want to achieve, who you support, and why your work matters. Funders need to understand the problem you are tackling and the difference your organisation makes.
2. Stay focused. Focus on one or two core problems where you can deliver clear and measurable impact. Avoid overstretching your resources and diluting your mission.
3. Understand your market and beneficiaries. Research your customers, beneficiaries and competitors. Check there is real demand for your product or service and be clear about who will pay for them, and why they will choose your organisations.
4. Align your activities to your mission. Ensure that your day-to-day activities support your social goals. Funders look for a strong connection between what you do and the impact you claim to deliver.
5. Develop sustainable income streams. Design income streams that can continue over time to support your mission. Reinvest profits back into the organisation to strengthen long-term sustainability.
6. Keep your business plan simple and realistic. Create a short, realistic business plan outlining your mission, market, finances and impact. Treat it as a live document — test your ideas, gather feedback and refine your plan as you learn.
7. Stay on top of your finances. Monitor your budget, cashflow and funding needs from the start. Understanding your financial position helps you plan effectively and reassures funders.
8. Diversify your income sources. Avoid relying on a single grant, contract or customer. Aim for a balanced mix of trading income, contracts and grants to reduce risk and build resilience.
9. Be selective about funding. Do not apply for every funding opportunity. Focus on funders whose priorities match your mission, stage of development and capacity to deliver.
10. Pay yourself fairly. Plan to pay yourself a reasonable salary when viable. Fair pay supports retention, motivation and long‑term organisational health.
11. Measure and demonstrate your impact. Track a small number of meaningful indicators that show the social change you create. Use impact data, case studies and feedback in your applications, reporting and communications.
12. Build strong governance and leadership. Set clear roles and responsibilities for leaders, staff and volunteers. Establish a board or advisory group with relevant skills to provide oversight, support and constructive challenge.
13. Choose the right legal structure for your enterprise. Select a legal structure that fits your mission, trading plans and governance needs. Your legal form will affect how you raise finance, distribute profits and report to regulators.
14. Find a mentor and build the right team. Seek guidance from someone experienced in social enterprise or your sector. Build a team that shares your mission and brings complementary skills.
15. Tell your story and engage with networks. Use clear, accessible language to explain who you are, what you do and why it matters. Treat marketing and sales as tools to grow your impact. Join local and national social enterprise networks to build partnerships and connect.