Key Fund

Contact person: Chris Colwell
Phone: 0330 202 0559

Key Fund

We invest in the community and social enterprises that have traditionally been excluded and turned down by mainstream lenders; particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

We provide finance – both loans and grant/loan packages – to help community and social enterprises to start-up, become sustainable, or grow.

We also provide support to help our investees have the best possible chance of success. Our investees have one crucial thing in common – the ambition to build and strengthen local communities and create a positive impact.

We invest in community and social enterprises who have traditionally been excluded; turned down by mainstream banks and building societies. Particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

Key Fund believes in the power of people to find solutions to the challenges facing their communities. Our mission is to remove barriers to finance.

Our Funds

Our Funds

Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund

This fund aims to support the development and growth of creative and cultural businesses across the North, that deliver social impact. Businesses must be incorporated and operate within one of the 11 most Northern Local Enterprise Partnership areas; Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater...

Flexible Finance

The Flexible Finance Fund is for established community and social enterprises, to complement our existing blended funds. This is a revolving facility, available up to £150,000 that can be drawn and repaid flexibly as needed, for an initial period of up to 5 years. Any balance at the end of five...

Energy Resilience Fund

The Energy Resilience Fund is finance to enable community and social enterprises to retrofit energy generating/saving technology on community owned or managed buildings, with an initial focus on stabilising or reducing energy costs.

Northern Impact Fund 2

Providing finance to support the development or growth of trading activity, including cash-flow, working capital, and asset development or purchase.

Property Fund

This fund aims to support social enterprises over 1 year old looking to purchase or develop properties in the Yorkshire and Humber region. To access this fund, you will need to have clear social aims and objectives and fit one of the following descriptions – Not for private profit, asset locked...

Case studies by investor

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Historic Edwardian building
Bramley Baths

Bramley Baths is a community-led, not-for-profit centre for fitness, health and fun, which houses a public gym, swimming pool and space for community events, meetings and fitness classes.

Duration
60 months
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£1,048,981
Amount invested
£110,000
Year of investment
2025
Investor
Key Fund
  • Product type
    Community shares

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Brilliant Healthy Smiles - Dr Fraz
Brilliant Healthy Smiles

Brilliant Healthy Smiles is founded by Dr Fraz and is a social enterprise based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. As the first of its kind, it operates as a dental clinic that follows NHS pricing structures without being part of the NHS. This innovative model will make dental care more accessible for individuals facing financial hardship. Furthermore, it will allow access to thousands of patients who cannot register with an NHS dentist due to lack of availability.

Duration
10 years
Cost of capital
0%* (Shariah Compliant)
Turnover
Pre-revenue – projected to be around £620k in the first 12 months of trading
Amount invested
£225,000 (205K loan + 20K grant from Bradford Impact Fund + 57.175K from Dr Fraz)
Year of investment
2025
Investor
Key Fund
  • Product type
    Blended – part grant, part loan

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Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC - Latham House
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC)

One of the largest Voluntary Service Councils in the country, providing essential support to the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector in Birmingham.

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
N/A
Amount invested
£285,000
Year of investment
2024
Investor
Key Fund
  • Product type
    Blended – part grant, part loan