Community businesses in England can apply for grants, loans, and business support to help issue community shares. The funding is being made available through the Power to Change Community Shares Booster Fund. The fund offers several support streams, including:
Pre-grant support: A few days support for early-stage activity to get you started.
Development grants: grants of between £2,000 and £15,000, averaging around £8,000, to prepare a community share offer. This support can cover financial planning, governance support, marketing costs and being assessed for the Community Shares Standard Mark.
Equity match investment: Investments could range from £10,000 to £100,000, although the typical investment is expected to be £20,000-£50,000. This is an offer of investment to match money raised from the community, 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.
For further information please visit https://www.uk.coop/support-your-co-op/community-shares/support/booster-fund/apply
