Good Finance is a collaborative project to help improve access to information on social investment for charities and social enterprises.
We recognise social investment can be confusing and difficult to navigate.
That's why in 2016 key representative from social enterprises, charity and social investment sectors came together to launch an initiative to help tackle this barrier for social sector organisations.
Since then, we've reached more than 700,000 users, providing charities and social enterprises with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about the future financing of their organisation.
Our mission
Our mission is to be the single trusted source of information on social investment for charities and social enterprises.
We will achieve this by:
- Improving knowledge on social investment, what it is, what it can be used for and the journey and process it requires
- Enabling organisations to make informed decisions, based on their needs and situation, not on embedded attitudes
- Helping connect organisations to the right investors to talk to based on shared values
Website and project
Good Finance consists of two distinct, but by no means separate strands.
Digital: Content to help inform and educate social enterprises and charities about repayable finance and better connect them with social investors. This includes tools like Is It Right For Us, The Fundmapper, The Outcomes Matrix, The Jargon Buster and the Cost of Capital Calculator, as well as case studies, blogs and podcasts.
Programmes and Projects: offline engagement activity such as events, e-Learning courses such as Social Investment Unpicked, Masterclasses and Investment Committees of the Future, as well as user-led programmes that seek to tackle disproportionate barriers to accessing social investment for organisations facing marginalisation.
Why is it needed?
Charities and social enterprises identified a critical need for a comprehensive digital resource to help them to effectively navigate social investment. Evidence of this need originates from a number of sources including:
- Social Enterprise UK’s findings in the State of Social Enterprise 2015 Report
- Findings from the Alternative Commission on Social Investment
More recently, organisations are tackling the Cost of Living Crisis, alongside crippling energy prices, diminishing availability of grant and other tough economic circumstances, meaning the need to diversify their income is more important than ever. Social investment isn't right for everyone, but we hope to provide relevant, jargon-free information to those that are suitable for repayable finance.
How the website was built?
The website was built following an extensive period of user-centred research and design workshops with charities and social enterprises across the UK.
The website was officially launched in Spring 2017, containing new content, tools and a refreshed brand based on the user-needs identified during the research phase of the project.
As of May 2023, the project has reached over 500,000 unique users and continues to support thousands of social enterprises and charities exploring social investment on a monthly basis.
Governance and funding
Our Steering Group helps to inform our strategic direction of the project and is made up of key representatives from the social enterprise, charity and social investment sectors.
Our Stakeholder Review Panel provides critical and constructive feedback on the project and is made up of key stakeholders in the social investment sector.
Good Finance is jointly funded by Access - The Foundation for Social Investment and Better Society Capital, with in-kind support provided by members of the steering group.
Annie Constable
Digital Projects Manager
Annie manages our website, digital marketing channels, social media and digital content and has been with us for four years.
From never having heard of the term 'social investment' to talking about it almost every day, Annie particularly enjoys the challenge of communicating the complexities of the process in a simple, jargon-free way.
Speak to Annie about...
- Listing on the investor or advisor directory
- A new tool or resource that might help organisations to better understand social investment
- Using social investment for energy resilience
She is also a Director at Parracombe Community Trust and in her spare time enjoys running, travelling and eating cheese.
Olivia McLoughlin
Programmes and Events Manager
Olivia leads on the delivery of Good Finance's e-learning programmes and events.
Her core focus of fostering accessible learning environments for a diverse audience and she is committed to using education and partnerships as tools to build knowledge and break down barriers to navigating social investment.
Reach out to Olivia to find out more about:
- Partnering with Good Finance
- E-learning programmes
- Webinars and events
Maria Lozada
Digital Marketing Apprentice
Maria joined the team in September 2024 as a Multi-Channel Marketing Apprentice. Her role within the team consists of creating and curating engaging content across LinkedIn, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram, overseeing the social media presence with a focus on engagement.
She also contributes to the website, uploading and writing our monthly newsletter, blogs and case studies that highlight impactful stories and sector insights, all while advancing through her apprenticeship program.
Speak to Maria about...
- Submitting a case study
- Collaborating on social media
- Blog ideas for Good Finance
Lordia Owusua-Frimpong
Digital Marketing Apprentice
Lordia assists with or programmes & event digital content, digital marketing channels and social media and has been with us for 11 months as a multi-channel marketing apprentice.
From her time at university to tackling the hospitality & retail sector and no experience in social investment or content creation has become a pro at creating content on social investment. Lordia enjoys video content creating, editing and networking within the social sector.
Speak to Lordia about:
1. Our e-learning programmes and cohort dates.
2. Upcoming and past events.
She's a politics and sociology graduate, who enjoys art, music and film.
