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?

The Growth Impact Fund provides so much more than just capital. We provide support for you and your organisation both before and after investment.  

Pre-investment Support helps you overcome common barriers to investment and fill any gaps before entering the investment process.  

You will receive access to: 

• A grant to help you become investment ready, 
• Experienced coaches and mentors who understand impact-led organisations,  
• A dedicated support manager to guide you through your journey to getting investor ready. 

Learn more about our Pre-investment Support programme

Post-investment Support helps you transition into the Fund and build momentum after receiving investment. This includes:  

• Ongoing access to our networks, growth and impact expertise, 
• Continued coaching and mentoring, tailored to your needs, 
• A dedicated support manager to provide hands-on support or connect you to specialist help when needed.  

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 (Paused until 2026). 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.