Grant News

Power to Change, a charity that supports community businesses is making funding available to Community businesses in England looking to raise finance through a community share issue.

The Community Shares Booster Fund is a funding scheme that supports new and existing community businesses in England that are at all stages of a community share issue.

Community Businesses can apply under the following funding streams:

• Pre-grant support: A few days support for early-stage activity to get community businesses started.

• Development grants – averaging £5,000, to prepare a community share offer: financial planning, governance support, marketing costs and being awarded the Community Shares Standard Mark.

• Equity match investment – typically matching £1 for £1 up to £100,000 invested by the Booster Fund, providing the minimum share offer target is achieved. Applications for equity match are open to community businesses that are investment ready, including those that have already launched their share offers.

• Subscription underwriting: If affordability is an issue for community investors,  Co-operative and Community Finance (CCF) can offer applicants an interest-free repayable loan to enable people to buy shares through instalments over a maximum of 12 months, with the society receiving the full investment upfront. 

• Loan finance: Through a Booster Fund application, Power to Change can also help applicants access loan finance from their partner CCF.

Initially, applicants need to submit an Expression of Interest.  Those successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application. 

Expression of Interest can be submitted at any time.