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Loans for Charities & Social Enterprises

If you’re a charity, social enterprise or impact-led organisation looking for a loan to help your project, you’re in the right place.

Loans that support your mission.

We’re a specialist bank that is owned and funded by charities and social enterprises, so we understand the social sector. Our loans are designed to be flexible and our expert Lending Team provides knowledgeable support throughout the process.

  • Loans that enhance impact
  • Loans that help organisations grow
  • Loans that make projects happen
  • Loans that strengthen organisations
  • Loans designed for the social sector

Why borrowers choose us

We're social sector experts

Our values and ethics

Flexibility in lending

Excellent customer service

Relationship & tailored support

Limited options from other banks

Ready to talk about a loan?

Loans up to £8.5 million

Amplify impact with a secured loan up to £8.5 million, with larger amounts available through partnerships.

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Loans below £750k

Secured loans from £150,000 up to £750,000.

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Green Loans

Our Green Loans for developing a sustainable impact.

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Development Finance

Our expertise in development and construction projects.

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Adrenaline Alley

Corby, England

“Without the Charity Bank loan, we would not have been able to grow and develop in the same way. Owning the site has given us the freedom to quickly adapt to trends, which is vital within the urban sports industry. We’ve also been able to make some significant improvements, such as building a two-storey café, diversifying our revenue income and ensuring sustainability.”

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Aspatria Dreamscheme

Cumbria. England

“Without this loan, we couldn’t have bought the building so wouldn’t be able to deliver some of our community programmes. It’s great to know that the interest we’re paying means that Charity Bank can help other organisations like us.”

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Birmingham Supported Living 2010

Birmingham, England

“Charity Bank and Big Issue Invest were very supportive. There were no problems at all; they were both brilliant. It’s also nice to know that our repayments will be regenerated to help other non-profits.”

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Ella’s

London, England

“Charity Bank offered support and handholding, which was so useful. I really value the relationship that we’ve built with the team and how patient they were.”

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YMCA Together

Liverpool, England

“Charity Bank treats us like people rather than just another mark on a spreadsheet. We felt like a very small fish in a gigantic global pond with some of the other banks that we spoke to, but with Charity Bank, it feels like a partnership."

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Kent Wildlife Trust

Kent, England

“There was no chance we’d have been able to afford the project without the loan. Charity Bank’s ethos makes it easy to work with them. They took the time to get to know us and understand what we’re doing.”

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Norwich Housing Society

Norwich

“I’ve got arthritis and a suite of other health niggles. This bungalow suits me down to the ground.” Read our case study on Norwich Housing Society. Social Need According to the government’s last English Housing Survey, more than 1 million over 65s live in a property that doesn’t meet the Decent Homes Standard. Almost one in […]

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Meet our Lending Team

You’ll get to know our Regional Managers and they’ll take the time to meet you and tailor our loans to suit your financial need and social aims.

Carolyn Sims

She/Her

Director of Impact Lending

Carolyn Sims

She/Her, Director of Impact Lending

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Carolyn is Director of Lending at Charity Bank. She joined Charity Bank in 2005 having previously worked for a European Bank in the city, where she established and managed their social housing loan book, growing it to over £1bn. Carolyn is a trustee of two Almshouses and a Director of Almshouse Consortium Ltd. She is Chair of Postcode Lottery Innovation Trust as well Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Development Trust.

“I love working for Charity Bank in a frontline role. I spend my time meeting and talking with people, trying to help them with their funding needs and witnessing the social impact delivered.”

 

Denise Hignett

She/Her

Senior Impact Lending Manager

Denise Hignett

She/Her, Senior Impact Lending Manager

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Denise has 35 years experience in Commercial Banking, having started her banking career at NatWest on a Management Development programme. She joined Charity bank in January 2023 and feels privileged to have worked in the Not-For-Profit sector for 15 years as a Banking specialist. Denise has worked with a range of Charities, Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies as well as professionals within the sector throughout my career.

“Charity Bank is a bank for the sector, owned by the Sector, and it really does make a difference to the organisations who seek funding to fulfil their mission. As an ethical lending manager, I’m passionate about working with these organisations, spending time to understand their operational and financial models and risk assessing if loan funding is right for them. I will additionally provide support to the organisations throughout the process. I also enjoy taking part in sector events across the North region as well.”

Daniel Wilson-Dodd

He/Him

Head of Social Investment Solutions

Daniel Wilson-Dodd

He/Him, Head of Social Investment Solutions

“My team focuses on providing investment to smaller charities and social enterprise delivering positive social impact in the UK. We manage all Charity Bank investments under £750,000, including our innovative programs which provide grants and other support. We passionately believe that smaller localized organizations can provide the most impactful solutions to social issues. It is a pleasure to work in a team focused on helping charities and social enterprises delivery their plans.”

Daniel has worked in the social investment space for over 15 years. He joined the bank in 2021, having previously been deputy-CEO at a leading UK Social Investor. Daniel was the former non-executive director for London Community Land Trust and EJAF Social Impact CIC (part of the wider Elton John Aids Foundation), as well as founder of the East Wick Growth Fund, a local level social investment program.

Praxis man sitting in greenhouse with whiteboard

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