SSE DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate
School for Social Entrepreneurs
What they fund
A tailored learning programme with expert advice, coaching and mentoring, plus a grant of up to £7,000 to support your learning and the development of your work helping people access or sustain a home. The grant can be used for salaries, project costs, equipment or improving systems.
Who can apply
- Organisations based in England or Wales with most beneficiaries there, whose work helps people access or sustain a home (some or all of it in the private rented sector) or reduces homelessness and rough sleeping
- That includes related work such as debt advice, mental health or refugee support where there is a genuine link to keeping a home
- Registered charities, CICs and community benefit societies qualify outright
- Other companies, co-operatives and unincorporated associations qualify if their governing document has social objects, a restriction on distributing profits and an asset lock
- Activate is for early-stage organisations with some activity in place and a plan to grow, likely with income under £100,000 in the last year
- The £100,000 line is a guide
- If you are close, SSE will help you choose
- A senior leader must attend every element
- Organisations based outside England and Wales, or whose work has no genuine link to housing stability
- The grant cannot pay for exclusively religious activity, political activity or lobbying, fundraising costs, academic study by staff or board members, or costs incurred before the award
- Asset purchases need written agreement first
See how many funds you could apply for
Programme details
Specialist learning and development programme, grant funding of up to £7,000, ready-made network of others at similar stages, expert insights, peer-to-peer learning, and connections with further income opportunities. Three in-person learning days and a market making event are included alongside online learning.
Early-stage organisations with a business model piloted and needing support to develop further, likely with annual income under £100,000 in the last financial year.
Deadline 12pm, 16 November 2026. Programme runs 1 April to 1 December 2027: three in-person days and a market-making event in Birmingham, Bristol or Cardiff, Manchester or London, with most learning online, four peer coaching sessions and one-to-one support.
School for Social Entrepreneurs. The programme is a partnership with The DPS and funded by Computershare Investor Services PLC.
Register your interest on the programme page first; SSE then sends the guidance notes, info session links and the application form. Apply online by 12pm on 16 November 2026. Previous or current SSE participants can apply if their current programme ends before April 2027.
The page states it welcomes organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and those in economically disadvantaged areas. It does not describe other qualities or evidence of a strong application.
Taking part is free: the programme is funded by Computershare, which runs The Deposit Protection Service, and SSE says its funded programmes are free to join if you are accepted. The grant can cover travel and accommodation for in-person days. SSE particularly welcomes organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communities and economically disadvantaged areas.