Flexible Social Finance Fund
Flexible Social Fund – finance that responds to real situations
The Flexible Social Fund is only available for organisations based in the North East as it is delivered in partnership with The North East Combined Authority
Not every organisation grows in a straight line. Social enterprises tackling poverty and inequality often face periods of change, uncertainty or challenge that don’t fit neatly into standard funding routes.
The Flexible Social Finance Fund, in partnership with The North East Combined Authority exists for just those circumstances. It provides repayable finance from £30,000 to £400,000 that is shaped around an organisation’s situation, recognising that flexibility is sometimes essential for long-term sustainability.
Rather than offering a fixed product, the fund responds to real circumstances and works with organisations to find an appropriate way forward.This includes organisations struggling to secure loans from traditional sources.
What is the Flexible Social Fund?
The Flexible Social Finance Fund is a social investment fund delivered by Big Issue Invest. It provides affordable and flexible repayable finance for social trading organisations in the North East whose needs or circumstances require a more adaptable approach.
The fund is designed to support organisations where traditional loan structures may not fully reflect how they operate, the challenges they are navigating, or the impact they are delivering.
Flexibility is built into the approach, allowing support to be shaped around each organisation rather than forcing organisations into a rigid funding model.
The Flexible Social Fund in Action
Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust
Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust runs a large community hub providing childcare, events, activities and services that support local wellbeing. Rising energy costs were placing pressure on the organisation’s finances, limiting the resources available for community delivery. Through the Flexible Social Finance Fund, Big Issue Invest provided a loan of £130,000 to fund energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels and air-source heat pumps; this reduced operating costs by £14,000 annually.
Why flexibility matters
Social enterprises and charities often operate in complex environments. Income can fluctuate, services may need to adapt, and external pressures can create uncertainty even for otherwise stable organisations.
In these situations, access to finance that can respond to change can make a meaningful difference. The Flexible Social Finance Fund recognises that resilience is not always about speed of growth or scale, but it is about having the right support at the right time.
The aim is to help organisations navigate these challenges whilst continuing to deliver impact.
Who the Flexible Social Finance Fund supports
The fund supports social enterprises and charities that are actively trading and tackling poverty and inequality in the North East, and whose circumstances call for a more flexible approach to finance.
Organisations supported through the fund will:
- Be social trading organisations, demonstrating a strong social impact
- Be actively trading and demonstrating revenue
- Be based and operating within the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
The Flexible Social Finance fund will look to support organisations with strong social impact, including (but not limited to):
- Community development and regeneration, including community businesses, community infrastructure projects, and local cooperative training models.
- Green enterprises, such as retrofit.
- Health and well-being improvements, including sport, recreation, and leisure.
- Local green transport solutions in areas of need.
- Cultural and visitor economy.
- Hospitality and food venues, particularly those addressing food waste and food poverty.
- Female-led organisations.
- Global majority led (BAME).
- Disability led.
- LGBTQIA+ led.
- Owners from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
The fund is not designed as emergency funding, nor is it a grant programme. Repayment remains an important part of the approach. We can accept organisations rejected or turned down by a bank or other lenders (but not an organisation in distress).
What type of investment does the Flexible Social Finance Fund offer?
- Investment Type: Loan
- Investment Amount: Between £30,000 to £400,000
- Interest Rate: Flexible/considered upon assessment of individual position
- Repayment: Up to 7-year term
- Security: Usually not required, however, it may be requested in some instances
You can see our other loan offerings here and our other investment options here
How to apply for the Flexible Social Finance Fund
Our investment team will support you every step of the way. Here’s the process you need to follow:
- Register your interest below.
- An investment manager will reach out for a first-stage conversation to see if the fund is right for you.
- If you’re a good fit, your dedicated investment manager will work with you to submit your application.
- Submit your application for assessment. Timescales may vary, but we will give you regular progress updates.
How the Flexible Social Fund fits within our wider work
The Flexible Social Fund sits alongside Big Issue Invest’s broader range of social investment funds and programmes.
It complements more structured forms of repayable finance by offering an option where flexibility is needed. Organisations may engage with Big Issue Invest through different routes over time, depending on their situation.
Unlike our other investment funds, the Flexible Social Finance Fund supports organisations based and delivering impact in the North East only.
There is no single pathway, and flexibility is part of our wider approach to impact-led finance.
FAQs
Is the Flexible Social Fund a grant programme?
No. The fund provides repayable social investment. The flexibility offered relates to structure and approach.
Is this emergency or crisis funding?
No. While the fund supports organisations facing challenge or change, it is not designed as emergency funding. We can accept organisations rejected or turned down by a bank or other lenders (but not an organisation in distress).
Can I access this funding if I’m not based in the North East
No. Your organisation must be based and operating within the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
How do organisations access the fund?
Register your interest to begin a conversation to understand context, needs and fit.
Meet The Team
If you have any questions about the application process our friendly Flexible Social Finance team are here to help.
Richard Wills
Investment Manager
Richard.Wills@BigIssueInvest.com
Richard spent six years prior to joining Big Issue Invest operating and developing a social enterprise. After graduating in Business Management, he spent a decade at NatWest, working in commercial lending and wealth management, before going on to develop a national commercial finance broker and financial services provider.
He later applied his broader financial services and strategic marketing expertise across various roles and startups, helping to grow fast-moving businesses and working within large corporates including Bluefin, AXA, and Ebiquity.
Richard joined Big Issue Invest in June 2024, bringing his experience to bear in support of social enterprise investment — and to make a positive social impact in his native North East.
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