What we do

Financing the future economy

The right kind of finance – at the right time – can ultimately make or break the success of community businesses.

When there is affordable, flexible and accessible finance available, community businesses can thrive. Using the breadth of our learning and experience, we advocate for more affordable, flexible, and accessible finance for community businesses. We leverage investment into the community business sector through working in partnership. And we invest in new ways of increasing the long-term financial sustainability of community businesses, testing ways to break the cycle of grant dependency.

We shape the conditions for the future economy – a fairer economy that works for people and planet. To do this, we influence decision-makers – from funders to regional authorities – to grow the social economy and shape finance that works for everyone.

Want to work with us? Contact our Portfolio Manager, Matt Fazal.

Current projects

person holding wheel in studio workshop

Community Shares Booster

The Booster Fund supports new and existing community businesses in England that are at all stages of a community share issue. Delivered by the Community Shares Unit and funded by Power to Change, Architectural Heritage Fund and Access Foundation.

person holding wheel in studio workshop

Energy Resilience Fund

This finance enables community businesses to retrofit energy-generating or saving technology on community-owned or managed buildings, with a focus on stabilising or reducing energy costs. Delivered by the Key Fund and funded by Power to Change.

adult hugging a child

Trading for Good

Trading for Good will support you to develop your community business through a specialist programme of support. This includes a Match Trading™ Grant and a learning programme that will support you to develop trading income streams and build a resilient community business. Delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs and funded by Power to Change, The Dulverton Trust and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Research and reports

Evidence on why accessible and flexible finance works for communities

Roots of renewal: Empowering communities, transforming Britain

Roots of renewal: Empowering communities, transforming Britain

This manifesto sets out how the new Government can help to create the conditions for community business to thrive.
Resilient Communities Fund: Review

Resilient Communities Fund: Review

The Resilient Communities Fund provided emergency support as quickly as possible to community businesses, to support them to implement energy resilience projects to become more resilient to both climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
Financing the future economy: How community businesses can access the right finance to achieve their ambitions

Financing the future economy: How community businesses can access the right finance to achieve their ambitions

This report provides an overview of the finance and funding landscape for community business, outlining the challenges in accessing the right type of finance at the right time, and situating access to finance within the wider policy context.

News and views

Our latest thinking and updates on high streets.

Power to Change welcomes new Deputy CEO

Power to Change welcomes new Deputy CEO

Nicola Steuer joins think-do tank Power to Change as Deputy CEO.
Financing the future economy report launch

Financing the future economy report launch

The report, ‘Financing the future economy: How community businesses can access the right finance to achieve their ambitions’, launched on 16 May 2024. See the event recording and full report below.
SAFE Regeneration, Bootle

SAFE Regeneration, Bootle

Making a destination out of an eyesore, with the help of community engagement down the (community-owned) pub.

Get inspired

Stories of the power of accessible and flexible finance

People Dem Collective

People Dem Collective

From a living room meet up to plans to take over a five-story building, People Dem Collective are proudly taking up space in Margate.
Grimsby Community Energy

Grimsby Community Energy

Investing in community-owned solar panels to tackle energy poverty.
Ambition Community Energy

Ambition Community Energy

England's largest community-owned wind turbine powering over 3,000 homes in Lawrence Weston.