# Social enterprise investor expands to North West

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/07/26/social-enterprise-investor-expands-north-west/
- Published: 2012-07-26T11:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Key Fund, the Sheffield-based investor in social enterprises, is expanding its
team to serve enterprises with social aims in the North West of England.

The Key Fund is itself a social enterprise. It offer advise and finance solutions
to social entrepreneurs and community groups, helping only those who have been turned
down by traditional banks.

Its funding and support has helped community-owned assets such as failing pubs and
swimming pools restored by community groups and turned into social hubs.

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It provides investments from £2,500 to £150,000 to social enterprises based or working
in the North and North Midlands.

It has been making loans for ten years, during which time it has invested over £
25 million in over 2,000 third sector organisations, funding over 6,500 training
opportunities and 146 new business start-ups.

Matt Smith, Fund Manager at the Key Fund, said: “In light of the Libor scandal and
the general anger around mainstream banks, we’ve experienced a growing demand for
finance and business with a social heart. The organisations we help not only become
sustainable social enterprises but give something back to their communities.”

The Key Fund celebrates the tenth anniversary of its first loan this year and has
to date awarded over £25m in over 2,000 third sector organisations, funding over
6,500 training opportunities, 146 new business start-ups creating 813 jobs while
and safeguarding 716 jobs.

www.thekeyfund.co.uk

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