Focussing on supporting communities across England
The Community Investment Fund
The Community Investment Fund (CIF) was launched in February 2014.
The fund lends amounts of between £250,000 and £2 million. We look for community based, locally led organisations which are providing essential services to improve the well-being of local residents, developing the local economy and creating positive social change for all individuals in the community.
CIF aims
To improve the quality of life of local individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
To enhance community engagement and cohesion by empowering people to develop locally-determined solutions to challenges and opportunities.
CIF directly addresses 4 SDGs
We have seen how organisations that are embedded in communities support social inclusion and change.
CIF works with charities and social enterprises that are focused on communities and social issues. These organisations have often been created by communities in response to specific problems.
Poverty affects access to basic services, property and resources, often at a local level.
CIF combats poverty by supporting organisations that enable local people to access local services and accommodation.
10% of households in England struggle with energy debt and fuel poverty.
CIF funds community projects that install energy efficiency measures and alleviate fuel debt.
Low-paid workers and the long-term unemployed are often trapped in poverty, impacting physical and mental wellbeing.
CIF supports education, training and employment initiatives.
Access to adequate, safe and affordable housing is a nationwide challenge. Vulnerable people are often most affected.
CIF builds communities by enabling vulnerable people to remain in their home town.
CIF portfolio
Impact
£21.1m
Total investment made to date
16
Organisations supported to date
To be eligible for investment an organisation must demonstrate the following:
- Be a community led social sector organisation with a neighbourhood focus
- Based and have operations in the UK
- A clear social mission with significant measurable, direct outcomes
- Strong management with proven capability to deliver
- Robust business plan and financial projections
- A clear demonstration of how investment repayment will be made
- Good corporate governance
The investment opportunity through SASC is exactly what we were looking for.
Cordell Ray, CEO, CCP – Caring for Communities and People
