Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Diversifying the advisor market

The Connect Fund has been set up to strengthen the social investment market in England to better meet the needs of charities and social enterprises. The fund provides grants to develop resources and infrastructure for a market that supports mission.

The Connect Fund will continue to provide grant funding to support infrastructure organisations and investment intermediaries to deliver projects that will lead to greater equality, diversity and inclusion on both the supply and demand side of the social investment market.

The Connect Fund wants to see the diversity of the advisor market increased. The advisor market provides a bridge between the supply and demand roles of the social investment sector. We want to work with existing Black and minoritised community infrastructure groups and networks to address the current gap, supporting them to engage with this part of the market and increase their capacity to be able to provide social investment advisory support.

This funding strand is not currently open to unsolicited applications. If you are interested in participating, please contact us.

We expect all projects that we fund under any of these strands to achieve one or more of the following outcomes: -More open, fair and transparent access to social investment, leading to increased investment flow to currently under-served parts of the market. -Action taken to address the barriers faced by organisations led by under-served groups in accessing social investment. -Greater Board and investment committee diversity, ensuring a diverse range of voices is included at every stage of the social investment journey from fund design and application to decision making and delivery. -The number of diverse voices in the market is increased and strengthened.

All Connect Fund applicants must meet all the following criteria: -Your organisation must be based in England. -Your organisation must be a social investment fund manager or advisor; membership body; sector, place-based, or equalities network; umbrella organisation; voluntary sector infrastructure organisation; or community foundation. -Your organisation must be incorporated and registered as a charity, social enterprise or have social purpose clearly incorporated into your articles of association with an appropriate asset lock and/or mission lock. -We welcome applications from organisations led by Black and minoritised communities, Disabled people, the LGBTQ+ community and women.