UnLtd – Funding Futures Programme

You have an idea or are already making a difference and are looking for support to develop your social venture. UnLtd combine funding and support to help you get started or grow.

Depending on your stage of development they can offer up to £18,000.

Areas covered:

Access to Employment

Their work on access to employment is responding to a growing movement of social entrepreneurs addressing the challenges faced by individuals who experience systemic barriers to employment such as disabled people, refugees, care leavers, ex-offenders and single parents. In innovative ways, social entrepreneurs are providing quality supportive jobs, training opportunities, or challenging different sectors to transform.

Funding Futures Programme

The effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have hit marginalised and minoritised communities the hardest, negatively impacting the livelihoods of many. The Funding Futures Programme will harness the power of youth to find solutions for those who have been sidelined by the financial system.

Healthy Ageing

The UK is undergoing a major demographic shift and they want to help social entrepreneurs improve the health and wellbeing of marginalised older adults, whilst reducing health inequalities across the UK. Through their healthy ageing work they are supporting social entrepreneurs taking on this challenge, offering their team of Support Managers able to connect you with your peers, sector-specific expertise and help develop stronger routes to market for financial sustainability.

Movement for Change

In partnership with Sport England, the Movement for Change programme aims to support social entrepreneurs who are helping to unlock the advantages of sport and physical activity for the most marginalised communities. Awards of up to £18,000 are available, alongside support to develop key business and leadership skills to help social ventures become more financially sustainable

Starting Up Grant provides up to £8,000 for social venture costs.

This is ideal if you are committed to creating social impact in a financially sustainable way. You are at an early stage or have started to make a difference to people’s lives, communities, or the planet.

Scaling Up Grant provides up to £18,000 for social venture costs and social entrepreneur living costs.

You are the founder of a financially sustainable social venture that is making a positive difference to people’s lives, communities, or the planet. You have evidence of your social impact and ambitions to build on it.

For Starting Up Grants Social Venture eligibility.

Incorporated: Not yet or less than 4 years

Selling Goods and Services: Less than 1 year

For Scaling Up Grants Social Venture eligibility.

Incorporated: Less than 4 years

Selling Goods and Services: 1 to 4 years

Social Entrepreneur

Social entrepreneur is a person who has started, or is looking to start a social venture, someone who is driven by their passion to make a difference.

Eligible:

• The founder and lead of the social venture
• Are 16 years old or older
• Has not previously received the same Award type for the same social venture
• Living in the United Kingdom
• They support individuals. This means that the application must be completed by the founder, the person behind the idea and in need of both our financial and non-financial support
• They value lived experience. The funder believes that having a deep understanding of the challenges you want to tackle can make you a passionate and determined social entrepreneur
• To get the most from their support, you should need the coaching and guidance their teams can offer to help you develop your social venture

Not Eligible:

• Looking for funding for a one-off or short-term project where there is limited potential for long-term impact
• Looking for funding to continue existing activities that have been running for over four years
• Requests for support which are predominately for the individual to undertake academic qualifications or overseas travel
• Individuals who plan to employ others to undertake most of the work on their behalf

Social Venture

Social venture is a business which has a social mission at its heart, often described as a profit for purpose business. It is essential to have a financially sustainable business model to continue making a difference.

Eligible:

• Has the potential to be financially sustainable with our support
• Can demonstrate a clear need for your idea or social venture
• Is clearly driven by its social purpose
• Needs both their financial and non-financial support to make it happen
• The funder will prioritise social ventures which are tackling inequality and focussing on the most marginalised communities and those with high levels of need
• They want to support you to create long-lasting change for people, communities, or the planet so your social venture must have the potential to be financially sustainable, with potential for growth
• If you are applying for a Starting Up Award, you might not have secured your first customers yet, but you will have done some research and will be confident in who will pay for your goods or services
• If you are applying for a Scaling Up Award, your social venture will already be trading (selling goods or services) and there will be clear potential for you to grow your impact alongside your income
• If you need a lot more money than they can offer, you should have a reasonable plan for how you will get it, or you will be unlikely to get their support

Not Eligible:

• Is predominantly focused on having an impact on people or places outside the UK
• Has been incorporated for over four years at the time of application (Companies House or Charity Commission registration), including charities or organisations that have been incorporated for over four years which are setting up a social venture
• Charities or organisations that are looking to set up a social venture as a subsidiary, unless the founder can demonstrate significant control of the social ventures finances and impact
• Had a turnover of over £250,000 in its last financial year
• Involves political, or religious campaigning
• Involves activities outside of the law, against public policy or anything which encourages ethnic, religious, or commercial disharmony
• Social ventures whose focus is predominantly on raising awareness of social issues

Starting Up Grant is up to £8,000

Scaling Up Grant is up to £18, 000