Five Greater Manchester organisations have been awarded investment from the Enterprising Communities Fund to support them to continue to create positive change in their communities.
The Fund is delivered by a unique partnership including GMCVO, The Greater Manchester Credit Union Consortium, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Access – The Foundation for Social Investment and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Investments alongside grant funding from Access – The Foundation for Social Investment were provided to support organisations to scale-up or grow their trading activity, allowing them to become more sustainable and effective in achieving their social mission.
Upward Frog CIC
Earlier this month, Stockport-base Upward Frog CIC were awarded £21,654 to help amplify their social impact in the community by enhancing their operational capacity and increasing their trading income. They are an innovative, profit-for-purpose yoga company with a vision to improve the physical and mental health of people living in Stockport and Greater Manchester by selling yoga classes, whilst also offering discounted and free activities subsidised through their profits.
This investment was provided in the form of a loan from Stockport Credit Union, alongside grant funding.
Valley Farm OWL CIC
Valley Farm received £26,000 in March 2024 to improve their facilities in Tameside, increasing accessibility and operations efficiency and opening new income generating opportunities. The investment, provided in the form of a loan from Cash Box Credit Union alongside grant funding, will support them to provide outdoor wellbeing and learning (OWL) and other sessions to people with long-term health conditions.
IVAORG CIC
In March 2024, Trafford-based IVAORG CIC were awarded £100,000 to grow their reach and take on new staff. They provide practical and ethical debt advice to anyone in the UK experiencing financial problems contributing to increased hardship, inequality, financial exclusion and poverty.
This investment was provided using loan funding from GMCA alongside grant funding.
Society Support CIC
In December 2023, Wigan-based Society Support CIC received £50,000 to hire more staff to increase their capacity and ultimately achieve their goal of taking on new properties. They currently house and support 52 vulnerable adults in 11 properties across Wigan and Leigh.
This investment was provided using loan funding from GMCA alongside grant funding.
Talk, Listen, Change (TLC)
TLC who are based in Manchester were awarded £180,000 in late 2023 to set up a new social business that will deliver paid for counselling and therapies and the profits generated will go into the charitable arm to fund counselling for those who can't afford it. This investment was provided with a loan from Manchester Credit Union and grant funding. Read more about this investment here.
Find out more about Fund here: www.gmcvo.org.uk/enterprising-communities-fund
Find out more about social investment and other funds we have available: www.gmcvo.org.uk/gmsocinvest
