What is the biggest lesson you've learned by taking on social investment?

Taking on social investment can be challenging but rewarding - Big Society Capital hears from the peers on their biggest lessons from their social investment journeys.

For more information on social investment and the North East Social Investment Fund contact our fund managers, Northstar Ventures, on 0191 229 2770.

How Social Investment Can Benefit Charities and Communities

WHEN it comes to funding, charities and trustees need to re-think the way they access finance to stimulate growth in the North East, as LUCY ARMSTRONG, a non-executive director of the North East Social Investment Company (NESIC) explains.

With fewer grants available, changes in commissioning and greater competition for public sector contracts, charities are having to explore new ways in which to generate funds and achieve their objectives.

To a private sector company needing to achieve its business plan goals, the solution would be clear; raise capital – and borrowing would be high on the list.

In fact, borrowing money is not in itself an innovative way to raise funds – it's always been available to charities – but historically they have steered away from it, relying instead on peripatetic grants and donations.

The funding climate, in the wake of the Brexit vote, remains uncertain, however, pressure on public sector budgets could offer real opportunities for charities and social enterprises in the North East to provide an engine for growth in the region.

The Third Sector can provide innovative ways of delivering crucial services to society. It generates economic benefits, creates employment and makes profit, but it also delivers social impact and outcomes.

And, while delivering social impact, charities and social enterprises are also established on a sound entrepreneurial foundation, where staff are rewarded and profits are generated to plough back into the business.

This marriage of economic and social benefits is already being hailed as an exciting solution to some of the challenges being faced by the contraction of funding from local authorities.

Key to this is social investment, which is simply a repayable loan given to a charity or social enterprise, formed to benefit the community in some way.

Of course, social investment isn’t appropriate for every organisation but, as a business model, there is no doubt that it works.

Trustees need to think like business people. They need to ask themselves if borrowing money will enable their organisation to do its job better, safeguard its future and enable it to meet its aims and objectives.

And, if the answer is yes, then they absolutely should think about borrowing.

The North East Social Investment Company was set up to provide an innovative, regional, strategic solution to developing the market for social investment. It was originally established with funds from Northern Rock Foundation, Big Society Capital, Esmee Fairbairn and the Joseph Rowntree Trust. The Community Foundation have now taken over the role of Northern Rock Foundation

We appointed Northstar Ventures to manage the first fund, the North East Social Investment Fund, which invests in voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises in the region and can help organisations achieve their goals. They have already made a number of really exciting innovative investments.

The changing roles of trustees

AS the funding climate changes, charities and their trustees need to re-think the way they access finance. As LUCY ARMSTRONG, a Non-Executive Director of the North East Social Investment Company (NESIC) explains, the third sector needs to follow the lead of the private sector.

 The late US President John F Kennedy said: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

 And, for charities and social enterprises across the UK, that has never been more prescient.

 With fewer grants available, changes in commissioning and greater competition for public sector contracts, charities are having to explore new ways in which to generate revenue and achieve their objectives.

 To a private sector company needing to achieve its business plan gaols, the solution would be clear; raise  capital – and borrowing would be high on the list.

 In fact, borrowing money is not in itself an innovative way to raise funds – it's always been available to    charities – but historically they have steered away from it, relying instead on peripatetic grants and donations.

 Lucy Armstrong is a Non-Executive Director of the North East Social Investment Company, which was set up to help stimulate the market for social investment in the North East, in order to create social change and help create a climate in which it can thrive.

“Many trustees are risk averse and have a cultural aversion to the concept of bank borrowing and paying interest.,” she said.

“Often, they feel that taking commercial loans is a risk and is outside their remit as a responsible trustee.                                                           

“But you are not personally responsible if you and your fellow trustees have taken the decision responsibly.

“The world has changed. Trustees have a duty to their organisation to be financially literate and that means they need to consider all the options available to them -including repayable capital, such as loans.”

There are myriad types of loan: overdraft facilities, term loans, revolving credit facilities and, of course, social investment loans.

 Social investment is simply a repayable loan given to a charity or social enterprise, formed to benefit the community in some way.

“Of course, social investment isn’t appropriate for every organisation but, as a business model, there is no doubt that it works,” said Lucy, “and trustees certainly need to consider it.”

Help is available for trustees keen to navigate the minefields of funding and decide which solutions would best meet their needs.

A number of organisations, such as Big Potential, Numbers for Good and the Fresh Ideas Fund, are able to train trustees in issues around finance and borrowing money and to teach them the skills they need to be confident in their decision making.

“Trustees need to think like business leaders. They need to ask themselves if borrowing money will enable their organisation to do its job better, safeguard its future and enable it to meet its aims and objectives.

“And, if the answer is yes, then they absolutely should think about borrowing.”

 For further information about North East Social Investment Fund please visit www.northstarventures.co.uk