Social impact loans that put people first

At Big Issue Invest we provide loans to charities and social enterprises that are tackling poverty and inequality head-on. Not with short-term fixes but with finance designed to last.

We lend from £25,000 to £4 million, supporting organisations at different stages of growth. There’s no prescriptive loan system; we tailor our loans to your needs and capital. There is one easy to follow route which starts with a conversation about what you need, how you operate and what will genuinely support your organisation.

Our loans exist to support organisations to grow their impact, strengthen their income and create opportunities for more people who are being left out of the system.

Loans built around your organisation, not the other way round

Every organisation we work with is different. That’s why our lending is flexible by design.

We start by understanding how you generate income, who you serve and what you are trying to achieve. From there, we shape finance around that reality, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Our lending broadly sits across two ranges, reflecting the different needs and circumstances organisations face.

Loans up to £200,000

Loans up to £200,000 are often suited to smaller or medium-sized charities and social enterprises that are trading, delivering impact and working to build financial resilience.

Loans in this range are usually unsecured, although security may be used where it makes sense. They can include a grant element of up to 10% through blended finance, and we can also offer up to 12 months of interest-only payments to help you get a new project off the ground before you start repaying the capital. These loans are available to organisations registered and delivering impact in England, with repayments expected to come from traded income rather than grants.

This type of finance is often used to support practical needs such as purchasing equipment, refurbishing a space or smoothing cash flow while income grows.

Loans over £200,000

Loans over £200,000 are designed for larger or more established organisations with a longer trading history and stronger financial foundations.

These are usually secured, meaning they are supported by assets or guarantees, though not in every case. Compared with many traditional banks, we can often lend at a higher loan-to-value, recognising the realities of how social purpose organisations operate. Loans in this range are available to organisations working across the UK.

This type of funding is commonly used to buy or improve property, expand services or support long-term growth plans that increase both income and impact.

Why organisations come to Big Issue Invest

We work with social enterprises and charities early to explore whether a loan is the right option, helping organisations understand their choices before committing to funding. We take a balanced view, valuing impact while being realistic about risk, cash flow, and repayment.

Strong, open relationships are central to our approach. Our investment managers work closely with organisations, providing advice and tailored support alongside capital.  A difficult trading period does not automatically lead to default; what matters is communication and continued progress towards impact in a sustainable way. This is why our finance is often described as patient capital.

Working with us means open conversations about what is affordable, loan terms that reflect how social enterprises actually earn money, and an approach that prioritises long-term sustainability over short repayment windows that can create unnecessary financial pressure.

What our loans make possible

Our loans help organisations do practical things that change lives. That might mean creating safe, stable homes; keeping community services open; supporting people into work; or building income streams that reduce reliance on short-term funding.

The organisations we back are rooted in their communities. They understand the people they serve. Our job is to provide finance that strengthens that work and helps it last.

You can explore how this lending fits into our wider work across housing, learning and employment, health and wellbeing, financial and inclusion through our impact work.

Real organisations. Real outcomes

We see the difference the right finance makes when it arrives at the right time.

From charities securing property to protect their future, to social enterprises expanding services without overstretching, our loans are designed to support stability and growth. Not quick wins. Not short-term fixes. Just solid finance that helps organisations keep going and do more of what works.

Is a Big Issue Invest loan right for your organisation?

Our loans are designed to support organisations at specific stages, and being clear upfront helps us have the most useful conversations.

To be eligible, your organisation should:

• Demonstrate a clear social purpose and positive social impact, but you don’t have to hold charitable status. 
• Have been trading for at least two years
• Be incorporated and delivering impact in England (for loans under £200,000) or in the UK (for loans over £200,000)
• Be able to repay from traded income, meaning revenue generated through selling a product or service to customers or public sector commissioners, rather than relying on ongoing grant funding
• Have a minimum of two directors

If this sounds like your organisation, we’d be pleased to start a conversation.We also share guides and resources to help organisations understand their funding options and prepare for investment, including what information you may need and how the process works.

Let’s talk about what you need

If you’re looking for finance between £25,000 and £4 million, start with us. One conversation can help clarify what’s possible, what’s affordable and what kind of loan structure will work best for your organisation.

Our interest rates typically start at 7%, depending on the loan structure and the organisation’s circumstances. This is investment with purpose, practical finance that backs people, strengthens organisations and helps build a fairer future.If you’d like to explore whether a loan could be right for your organisation, you can start a conversation with our team through our enquiry form.

---

FAQs

What are social impact loans?
Social impact loans are repayable loans designed for charities and social enterprises that are delivering social impact. They are structured to reflect how purpose-led organisations operate, with repayment coming from traded income rather than grants.

Who are these loans suitable for?
These loans are intended for charities and social enterprises that are already trading, have a track record of impact and can repay finance from earned income. They are not designed for early-stage organisations or those without a clear route to repayment.

What size loans does Big Issue Invest offer?
Big Issue Invest provides loans from £25,000 to £4 million. Smaller loans may include a blended finance element, while larger loans are typically fully repayable.

Are the loans secured or unsecured?
Loans up to £200,000 are usually unsecured, although security may be used where appropriate. Loans over £200,000 are typically secured but this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Can loans include a grant element?
In some cases, loans under £200,000 may include a grant element of up to 10% through blended finance. This is used selectively to reduce pressure during early stages and is not available for larger loans.

What can social impact loans be used for?
Organisations commonly use loans to invest in property, improve facilities, purchase equipment, expand services or manage cash flow during periods of growth. The key consideration is whether the loan supports long-term sustainability.

How is Big Issue Invest different from a bank?
Big Issue Invest takes a broader view than traditional lenders, considering social impact alongside financial sustainability. Loan structures are shaped around how organisations earn income, rather than relying solely on assets or ratios. 

We take the time to get to know your business, its needs and the needs of those it serves to make sure that your finance is personalised in a way that makes both the loan and your business’ impact the largest. 

When it comes to early-stage social enterprises or periods of poor cash flow we support our partners allowing temporary interest only payments or other options where necessary. We also have experience growing social enterprises and charities impact and are happy to provide advice and support through tough times.

How does repayment work?

Our repayments are structured to provide you with the support you need. Where appropriate, we may offer grants to help reduce the overall repayable loan amount, additionally we can offer grace periods of interest-only or reduced payments after the initial loan drawdown. This allows the investment to provide the additional expected return before the costs of the loan cut into your operating budget. We also know that cashflow is not uniform and we’re open to discuss interest only payments during difficult months. 

Outside of these conditions repayments work similar to traditional finance but with more co-operation.