Social Impact Loans
Big Issue Invest
What they fund
Social enterprises and charities delivering solutions to end poverty and inequality in the UK. Funding covers affordable housing, employment support, healthcare, and other core interventions in communities facing high deprivation.
Who can apply
- Charities and social enterprises with a clear social purpose (charitable status is not required) that have been trading for at least two years, are incorporated with at least two directors, and can repay from traded income: sales to customers or public sector commissioners rather than ongoing grants
- For loans under £200,000 you must be working in England
- Loans over £200,000 are open across the UK
- Not designed for early-stage organisations
- Organisations trading for less than two years, early-stage organisations, organisations relying on ongoing grant funding to repay, and organisations with fewer than two directors
- Loans under £200,000 are for organisations working in England only
- Loans of £500,000 or more through Social Impact Debt Fund IV need first-ranking security over assets worth more than the loan, two years of accounts showing profitability, and work in health and social care, affordable housing and homelessness, or community and social infrastructure
- That fund does not lend to CDFIs, lending businesses, property developers, house builders or manufacturers
See how many funds you could apply for
All details
England for loans under £200,000; anywhere in the UK for loans over £200,000.
Dismantling poverty and inequality through social business solutions. Big Issue Invest prioritises organisations aligned with the Big Issue Group's mission to end poverty and inequality.
Loans from £20,000 to £4 million, shaped around your plans. Up to £200,000: usually unsecured, with a possible grant element of up to 10% and up to 12 months interest-only. Over £200,000: usually secured. Rates typically start at 7%. Impact Loans England (up to £200,000, or £400,000 combined) lends at 7.5% to 8.5% with a 1.5% administration fee; Social Impact Debt Fund IV (£500,000 to £4 million) offers fixed-rate secured loans.
An investment manager will be in touch following enquiry submission. No specific decision timescale is stated.
Submit an enquiry through the 'Apply for Funding' section on the website. An investment manager will contact you to discuss your funding needs and the best investment option.
A clear plan for growth and impact, aligned with ending poverty and inequality. Strong applicants demonstrate financial viability and can articulate how the investment will help them move forward and deepen impact in deprived communities.
Big Issue Invest shapes each investment around your specific plans and finances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. They offer multiple funding products, loans, equity, quasi-equity, and blended finance, so discuss which structure best suits your organisation's stage and needs.