Try the New Case Study Mapper!

Browse 100+ case studies via our interactive Case Study Mapper to explore examples of social investment in action in your area!
 

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Have a great story of taking on social investment? We're looking for new case studies to share - submit yours below or email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk

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The Bike Project Team

The Bike Project are a charity that takes in second-hand bikes, refurbishes them and donates them to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. The bikes help them to access food banks and other critical services as well as improving their general wellbeing. 

Duration
3-5 years
Cost of capital
3% on SITR. Revenue Participation capped at 1.2 x loan amount.
Turnover
£2.3m
Amount invested
£170,000 SITR loans + £50,000 Revenue Participation Agreement
Product type
Social Investment Tax Relief
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Cornerstone Placce

Cornerstone Place is a social enterprise which supports homelessness charities to add fit-for-purpose properties to their portfolios.  Our unique ‘Shared Upsides’ model transfers more than 50% of the value in our project to our charity partners.

Duration
15 Years
Cost of capital
4.3%
Turnover
£0 (pre-trading)
Amount invested
£240,000 loan + £51,640 grant
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Freedom Foundation

Freedom Foundation is a Nottingham based social enterprise working to improve children’s physical and mental wellbeing through music, dance, and mentoring.

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£121,588
Amount invested
£79,970 (£23,100 loan, £56,870 grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Win Turbine courtesy of Ambition Lawrence Weston / The Landmark Practice

Ambition Community Energy (ACE), is a Bristol-based social enterprise generating clean, affordable energy, run by the people of Lawrence Weston. 

Duration
3-5 years (depending on tranche)
Cost of capital
5%
Turnover
Nil
Amount invested
£750,000 (+ £150,000 from Power to Change)
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Secured loan
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Group of people at Gloucestershire Gateway Trust

Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) is a social and environmental regeneration charity on the largest peripheral social housing estates around the edge of Gloucester by the M5. 

Duration
3 Years
Cost of capital
9% (Y1) 7% (Y2 + Y3)
Turnover
£884,455
Amount invested
£158,000 (loan) + 62,000 (grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Inner City Music

Inner City Music is an award-winning charity that exists to celebrate music and its power to engage, inspire and unify. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£1,382,000
Amount invested
£300,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Volunteer at Trees for Life, replanting

Trees for Life is home to the first (known) rewilding centre in the UK and their vision is of a revitalised wild forest in the Highlands of Scotland, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.

Duration
9 years
Cost of capital
6%
Turnover
£3,030,847
Amount invested
£2 Million
Product type
Charity bonds
Crowd-funded investment
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Group of people at Central YMCA

Central YMCA is the world’s first YMCA, established in 1844, and a leading UK education, health and wellbeing charity. Their work includes creating alternatives to traditional education such as apprenticeships and study programmes, training fitness professionals who inspire communities, developing qualifications through an awarding organisation and helping people improve their health and wellbeing through the largest gym in central London. 

Duration
25 Years
Cost of capital
2.41%
Turnover
£11,000,000
Amount invested
£4,000,000
Product type
Secured loan
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Homebaked Bakery

Homebaked is a co-operative bakery and community land trust, located opposite Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium, serving their award-winning pies to both football fans and locals alike. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
9%
Turnover
£387,800
Amount invested
£60,100
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Farm Urban

Farm Urban is a social enterprise based in the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool and they operate the city’s first vertical farm whilst also delivering a range of educational and outreach programmes. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
10%
Turnover
£411,768
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Alternatives Activity Centre

Established in 1990, Alternatives Activity Centre (AAC) is a registered charity that provides support for adults with learning disabilities in the city of Derby, in the form of an activity-based day centre, a training shop (which offers training workshops as well placements within their own charity shop) and community support.

Duration
3 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£262,000
Amount invested
£75,000 (Loan) and £25,000 (Grant)
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Prom Ally CIC

Prom Ally offers the free loan of prom dresses and suits to school children, sixth form students and college students who otherwise couldn't afford one. All outfits are used and either purchased from charity shops or donated directly. Prom Ally has helped hundreds of girls since it began and has recently opened up to boys too offering suits in addition to the dresses.

Duration
10 years
Cost of capital
3%
Turnover
£2,361
Amount invested
£50,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan