Access - The Foundation for Social Investment

Access funds project delivery, core costs, and equipment purchases that help mission-led organisations develop earned income and strengthen their financial resilience. Their place-based programme works exclusively in six specific areas of England, supporting charities and social enterprises that serve disadvantaged communities. The types of work they support focus on building stronger and more sustainable local social economies, with a particular emphasis on helping organisations grow their trading activity. The programme is delivered through local partner organisations in each designated area, ensuring support is tailored to local priorities and needs.

Local charities, social enterprises, and community groups based and working in one of the six designated areas can apply: Bradford, Bristol, Gainsborough, Greater Manchester (Bolton, Oldham, Stockport, Wigan), Redcar & Cleveland and Hartlepool, and Southwark. The foundation does not fund individuals. Each area has its own partner organisation that manages the programme locally, so interested organisations should connect with the relevant local partner rather than approaching the foundation directly.

Access does not fund organisations or projects outside the six designated local areas. They also do not provide grants or finance to individuals or to charities and social enterprises that are not based in these places. The programme is only available through local partner organisations in each area, so unsolicited direct applications to the foundation are not accepted.

Access offers enterprise grants and blended finance, combining grants with repayable elements to support trading activity and financial resilience. Their funding is place-based and delivered through local partner organisations, meaning they do not accept direct unsolicited applications from frontline charities. Instead, organisations apply through the designated local partner in their area. The foundation provides patient, flexible funding that can cover project delivery, core costs, and equipment.