Social enterprises across Merseyside are being encouraged to apply for social investment, offered by a regional funder, to help them become more sustainable and enhance their social impact.
First Ark Social Investment (FASI) based in Prescot works with social enterprises and charities across the North West. Since 2017 it has invested almost £4m-worth of social investment to help grow organisations, to achieve more positive and targeted outcomes and increase the social impact created within local communities.
It has a history of supporting groups across Merseyside and has provided funding for Make Liverpool, a creative-led organisation with spaces across Liverpool which supports artists, makers and small businesses, Birkenhead Gymnastics Academy (BGA), a not for profit gymnastic academy and Liverpool Community Advice which offers free service to residents of Liverpool and Knowsley.
FASI recently received an additional commitment of top-up funding from The Growth Fund, a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund, Big Society Capital and Access – The Foundation for Social Investment. This additional backing will enable FASI to offer up to an additional £2.3m in ‘blended’ finance investments, made up of grants and loans, to social enterprises across the North West.
Léann Hearne, Group Chief Executive Officer at First Ark Group, said: “We’re keen to support organisations across Merseyside and want to raise awareness of how FASI can help create additional social impact and develop financial sustainability.
“We’re keen to work with any social enterprise that generates social impact – from an organisation that upskills unemployed people, to a creative enterprise or sporting venture.
“Many organisations in Merseyside might not be aware of the funds and strategic support we offer. We’re here to help social enterprises grow, become more sustainable, increase their social value and make a real difference within their communities.”
To apply for funding from FASI please visit:
https://firstarksocialinvestment.com/pre-eio/