Social purpose organisations face a unique challenge: they’re driven by mission and impact, yet they need sustainable financial resources to scale their impact. Traditional funding models often don’t work, offering either grants that aren’t fit for purpose or commercial investment that prioritises profit over people. The Adebowale Commission highlighted that social investment has historically been inequitable, failing to reach many of the organisations that need it most. That’s where we come in; GIF offers investment that’s been designed for mission-driven organisations.

What is Social Investment?

Social investment is designed with you in mind. It’s not like traditional funding and offers three key advantages that traditional funding often doesn’t:

• Patient and Long-Term Support. At GIF we’ll stay with you for the journey. We know that meaningful impact takes time and we’ll be in your corner as your business grows.
• Mission-Driven Networks and Expertise. When you work with us, you get access to our networks across UnLtd and Big Issue Invest. Our connections will help open doors for your social purpose organisation.
• Flexible Funding Options. Social investment comes in different forms and can be tailored to your needs.

What Makes Us Unique?

We offer social investment and so much more. As part of our offer at The Growth Impact Fund, we offer an investment readiness programme:

• Have never raised investment for your business
• Are based outside of Greater London (with the exception of Barking and Dagenham)
• Are six months or less from being ready for funding
• Access to pro bono legal support so that you can negotiate with confidence.
• An account manager to guide you and your business through the fundraising process.

Investment Options

We believe that social investment should be tailored to your needs as an organisation. We offer three types of social investment to help you scale your impact.

• Equity. We invest in your business in exchange for a share of ownership in the company. This could be right for you if you’re looking for exponential growth and a long-term partner.
• Revenue. We invest in your business and get repaid based on a percentage of your revenue that gets paid back to us.
• Debt. A loan for Established Organisations that have significant trading history (3+ years of trading, generating a cash surplus) and need financial support from a social investor.