Social Business Trust

Social Business Trust funds work across education and skills, employment, mental health, and physical health. It supports project delivery that helps social enterprises scale their impact, with a particular focus on accelerating digital transformation. The Trust operates across the United Kingdom, backing organisations that address major challenges in these areas, such as improving educational outcomes, boosting employability, and reducing health inequalities. The Digital Impact Fund, now closed, specifically aimed to accelerate the digital transformation of seven social enterprises, supporting projects in areas including education, employment, mental health, physical health, older people, children and youth, and domestic abuse.

Social Business Trust welcomes applications from UK-registered charities and social enterprises. The Trust prioritises organisations that are ambitious and have a proven track record, with a focus on those delivering tangible improvements for disadvantaged groups, including children, disabled people, and the long-term unemployed. While the Trust does not specify income thresholds, it looks for organisations with strong leadership and robust governance, and it values a significant portion of income from trading rather than grants. The Digital Impact Fund, now closed, was by invitation only, but the Trust generally encourages unsolicited approaches from eligible organisations.

Social Business Trust does not fund early-stage or grant-dependent organisations, nor does it support one-off projects or provide unrestricted grants or loans. It avoids non-UK organisations and those without a clear growth trajectory. The Trust also does not fund work outside its stated focus areas of education, employment, mental health, and physical health.

Social Business Trust provides targeted funding combined with business expertise from its corporate partners. It works in partnership with social enterprises, offering a blend of financial support and strategic advice to help them scale. The Trust's approach is collaborative and evidence-led, aiming to create lasting change. The Digital Impact Fund, now closed, was a specific programme that operated by invitation only, but the Trust generally welcomes unsolicited approaches from eligible organisations.