Empowering Black communities

Innovate Now Round 4 with Impact on Urban Health.

Transforming food access and building resilience in the heart of the community. A 24-month journey with £20,000 in funding, capacity building, and collaborative growth. We are offering the practical support and guidance you need to build financial resilience and create real, lasting change in Lambeth and Southwark’s Black community. Take the next step and apply today.

 

Why Innovate Now?

Innovate Now is here to provide you, as a Black-led charity or social enterprise, with direct and intentional support to help you grow. We understand the unique challenges Black communities face in securing funding for essential services. With our financial backing and expert guidance, you’ll be equipped to take your organization to the next level—boosting investment readiness, strengthening operations, and creating the best possible future for both your organisation and the communities you serve.

About the programme

Innovate Now Round 4 with Impact on Urban Health is a 24-month programme designed to empower Black-led food initiatives that are addressing urban health challenges in Lambeth and Southwark. This initiative focuses on promoting equitable access to nutritious food, fostering sustainable practices, and enhancing community well-being. Each selected organisation will receive £20,000 in funding, inclusive of £3,000 for compensated capacity building, plus ongoing support tailored to their unique mission.

We understand that health inequalities in urban areas disproportionately affect Black and Global Majority communities. This programme aims to bridge those gaps by supporting organisations dedicated to building healthier food ecosystems. Together, with Impact on Urban Health, we are equipping local leaders to create lasting change for the benefit of their communities. This initiative includes:

  • Financial resilience training

  • Operational support

  • Access to a network of local leaders and resources

We are committed to supporting 10 Black-led organisations that are actively contributing to equitable food access and promoting health in their communities. These organisations should:

  • Be based in Lambeth or Southwark

  • Serve Black and Global Majority communities, prioritising those earning less than £400 per week

  • Operate as either a community food access point (e.g. food banks, community kitchens) or as a for-profit food business that provides culturally relevant, healthy, and affordable food options

Our goal is to empower leaders who demonstrate a deep commitment to improving food security and community health through sustainable practices and collaborative efforts.

Before you apply

What We Will Fund

  • Community-Driven Food Access Initiatives
    Organisations that address food insecurity by providing culturally relevant, low-cost or free nutritious food to local communities.

  • Health and Nutrition Education Programmes
    Initiatives that raise awareness around healthy eating and nutrition, engaging community members through workshops, cooking classes, or events focused on sustainable food choices.

  • Sustainability-Focused Food Businesses
    For-profit food businesses that prioritise locally sourced ingredients, reduce food waste, and adopt environmentally friendly packaging. These organisations are committed to long-term impact through sustainable business practices.

What We Will Not Fund

  • Commercial Ventures Without Community Impact
    For-profit entities focused solely on profit without demonstrated community engagement or impact.

  • Short-Term Projects Lacking Sustainability
    Initiatives that do not incorporate sustainable practices, such as single-use packaging or minimal focus on local sourcing.

  • Organisations Not Based in Lambeth or Southwark
    Eligible organisations must be based in and serve the communities within these boroughs.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility Summary: This programme is open to Black-led organisations operating within the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. Eligible organisations should demonstrate a commitment to addressing local food equity through sustainable practices. Applicants fall into two main categories:

  • Community Food Access Points: Charities, social enterprises, and non-profits providing affordable or free food options to local residents. These organisations work as a safety net for the community, offering culturally relevant meals and grocery options.

  • For-Profit Food Businesses: Enterprises focused on delivering healthy, culturally relevant food products for the Black community, with an emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing.

Additional Requirements:

  • Legally registered as a non-profit or for-profit with a mission supporting Black and Global Majority communities

  • 75% of leadership and decision-makers identify as Black or Global Majority individuals

  • Commitment to sustainable practices and collaborative projects to enhance local food ecosystems

It is incredibly important that you read the eligibility criteria in the guidance document carefully. In fact, read the whole thing carefully before you apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Legal Incorporation

  • Organisations must be a legally incorporated.

  • Organisations must have a clearly stated mission to support issues impacting Black and Global Majority Communities. 

  • Non-profits only: organisations must reinvest 100% of surpluses into pursuing their social mission and have a constitutional or contractual lock on their social mission, dividend, and surplus distribution policy (also known as an asset lock).

Geography

  • Organisations must be based in and operating in Lambeth or Southwark.

Leadership

  • At least one DiNN Member - to become a member of the Do it Now Now community please fill in this form bit.ly/dinncode 

  • Black Led organisation

  • At least three Directors or Trustees. 

  • 75% of the organisation’s Directors, Trustees or equivalent Governing Body members must represent Black and Global Majority Communities. (The percentage is in line with the DEI Data Standard, if this percentage is not met because the Board is too small or other reasons, you may still be eligible, as long as the decision-making is led by people from Black and Global Majority communities). 

  • 51% of leadership/senior management must represent Black and Global Majority Communities.

  • There must be a clear commitment from senior management and the Board to foster equitable access to nutritious, culturally relevant food for the Black community in Lambeth and Southwark.

Finance

  • Organisations must be generating an annual income between £30k and £150k as evidenced by their submitted accounts to Companies House/Charity Commission.

  • Organisations must be able to provide at least the last 1 year accounts submitted to Companies House/Charity Commission.

  • Organisations must be able to produce management accounts that include a Profit and Loss statement and Balance Sheet.

How we’ll work

  • Submit an EOI form to help the programme team understand your organisation's alignment with the funding criteria. This initial submission gathers essential details about your organisation’s mission, financials, and leadership. It is not a full proposal but sets the foundation for further engagement if shortlisted.

    The expression of interest form will give us a good idea of how closely you meet the eligibility criteria.

    For more information and a question by question breakdown, be sure to read through our guidance document.

  • Shortlisted applicants undergo a detailed health check, where an assessor works with you to understand your organisation’s strengths and needs. The due diligence process includes reviewing key documents like accounts and governance policies. The goal is to assess readiness for capacity building and funding.

    For more information about this please read the guidance document.

  • If successful in the health check, you’ll move to proposal development. This involves working with the programme team to refine your project idea, ensuring it’s ready for submission to the funding committee. During this stage, you will also receive training and resources to strengthen your organisation’s proposal.

    For more information please review the guidance document.

  • Once your proposal is approved, you'll begin the contracting onboarding process. This includes receiving your contract for £20,000 grant and prepping you to engage in the £3,000 compensated capacity-building support. The onboarding phase ensures that you have all the resources and guidance needed to implement your project and achieve sustainable growth.

  • We know that to achieve your goals capacity building, and more importantly, tailored support is necessary to move in the right direction. Our compensated capacity building programme will meet you where you are and support you all the way.

    You will engage with a dedicated Critical Friend, subject matter experts as mentors, and much more. This LIVE online training is best suited to the leadership of the organisation.

    In the second half of the programme, you’ll partner with another cohort member to create and deliver a project that directly enhances food access and health in the community. This hands-on collaboration will amplify your impact and prepare you for future projects. By the end of our journey together, you’ll have built a solid foundation, developed lasting community partnerships, and crafted a clear, actionable plan for your organisation’s ongoing growth and sustainability.

Our Events

Bid Writing 101 - How to Stand Out for Success

13 November 2024

Develop the insight and know-how you need to define, prepare and write a successful bid for future funding opportunities.

Black Food and Drinks Business Brunch

26 November 2024

Hear from a fantastic panel of expert guests into their experiences and insights for successfully navigating the Food and Drinks industry.

Apply here to take the next step for your future

This is your opportunity to access £20,000 in funding and practical support to strengthen your organisation. If you’re ready to build long-term sustainability and make a real impact in London’s Black food and drinks ecosystem, apply now and move your organisation forward.

Why us?

As a Black community-focused infrastructure organisation, DiNN works intersectionally across the demographics and causes our community is active in. Over the past couple of years, we have been particularly active in supporting the sustainability of Black-led climate action, youth-led, lived experience-led, and strengths-based organisations.

Our Support

We want you to have the best possible experience of this funding programme. Please feel free to get in touch with us so we can help you through.

  • Get in touch with us directly by email and we’ll get back in touch within 2 working days. 

  • 1-2-1 support calls are available throughout the duration of the Expression of Interest window.

    This is an opportunity for you to clarify any questions you may have about the application process. To request a call, please email us. Please join the call with your questions prepared.

  • Drop in sessions are available following stage 1 of the application process. We encourage applicants to attend these sessions even when they don't have a specific question to ask because it is a fantastic networking opportunity as well as a chance to be inspired by the questions others ask.

Now is the time,

to innovate.