Social Impact Fundraising and Grant Funding
Apologies we couldn’t think of a sexier headline for this. Let’s talk about fundraising, shall we? How does it make you feel when you think about fundraising? Chances are you don’t relish the idea. It can be daunting particularly when your reason for creating your social enterprise or business is not motivated by making yourself or other people stinking rich.
Social Impact Funding is not well known yet and it’s hard to believe that there are others in the world wanting to see the same positive changes that we want to see, let alone fund it. We promise you these people exist though!
Over the coming weeks and months, we will share with you the success stories within our community and beyond, people who are happy to share with you how they have funded their brands, businesses and organisations. First of all, we want to give you some tips to get yourself ready and to educate yourself about what is possible.
Getting Ready
Figure out how much you need and what you will do with the money - seems basic but we all have to start somewhere.
Find others who are doing something similar to you and find out where and who they got their investment from. This will help you develop your target list.
Educate yourself about the many ways that you could fund your business - from grants to crowdfunding. Attend all free talks and lectures and workshops about it, until it starts to become familiar
Be clear about your values and what is important to you, separate your values from fears. Don’t hide behind those values as a way to avoid taking responsibility, equally be compassionate with yourself about the journey you are taking. This route is not for everyone, it requires resilience, courage and faith.
Ask advice, unless your mum happens to be an investor then avoid advice from those who have no experience. Use LinkedIn and social networks to connect with people you would like to talk to, be bold.
Check out online resources to check the sorts of things you need to have ready such as this from British Business Bank and this from our favourite Swoop
Social Impact Investors
Membership Bodies
We’ll be posting more about this in the coming weeks and months but if you want to have a chat please get in touch.
And when you have those moments where it seems impossible, remember what 90s icon pop band, Blur said ….
Yes it really, really, really can happen.
Hold on tight to that.