Responding to market need

Charities and other social profit organisations often focus on short-term, project-based philanthropic fundraising rather than a wider, more holistic approach to strategic financing.

But in order to survive in today's climate - increasing competition for grant funds and static levels of charitable giving - many social profit organisations will have to develop a more businesslike approach to finance.  Yet many of these organisations lack the information they need about the wider funding and finance market to make decisions about their long-term future.

Without access to a range of financial tools these organisations may have to delay or even postpone effective responses to social issues, such as exclusion or poverty. Securing a sustainable future for these organisations is vital if we want to sustain the important benefits they bring to communities.  

Supporting organisations with a social mission

That's where Charity Bank comes in.  We provide affordable loan finance and advice to enable charities, community associations, voluntary organisations, community businesses and social enterprises across the UK to grow.  We often lend where banks or building societies either will not make a loan at all, or will only do so on unaffordable terms. 

We’ve learnt that the best way to ensure the success of these loans – and safeguard the money of our depositors – is through our business support and guidance.  We help organisations work out what they need to do to take the next step that’s most appropriate for them to survive and prosper.  And according to a survey of our borrowers, 74% of them say working with Charity Bank has helped them along the road to sustainability.

Creating social capital

At Charity Bank we invest 100% of our depositors’ money in supporting charities and communities, money that our depositors can then get back.   By saving or investing with us, people are helping to create the capital that is desperately needed to support the more marginalised and vulnerable in our society.