Empowering Global Majority communities

Make it Big Round 2 with Pathway Fund.

We are offering £25,000 grant funding, tailored support, and expert training to help your charity or social enterprise grow sustainably and create a lasting impact. We will help you build resilience, tackle systemic challenges, and amplify your mission for greater change.

 

Why Make it Big?

Make It Big is here to fill a crucial gap in support for Black and Global Majority-led charities and social enterprises, helping you strengthen your foundation and prepare for social investment. We know that sustainable growth isn’t easy, but with our support, you’ll have the tools and guidance to co-create systems that bring real, lasting benefits to your organisation and the sector. Through this programme, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with decision-makers in your field, opening doors for your organisation to drive innovation and strengthen Black and Global Majority leadership across the sector.

About the programme

We are thrilled to launch Make it Big with Pathway Fund – Round 2, delivered in collaboration with Pathway Fund. This unique programme is designed to empower Black and Global Majority-led charities and social enterprises across the UK. Through grants of £25,000, alongside expert-led support and training, we’re equipping organisations like yours to overcome systemic challenges, scale sustainably, and drive meaningful, lasting change.

With a focus on tackling the critical areas of poverty alleviation and racial equity, this programme addresses the pressing needs intensified by the cost-of-living crisis, helping organisations transform and amplify their impact within their communities.

Pathway Fund, a pioneering social investment wholesaler, is joining us to deliver this enterprise development programme specifically for Black and Global Majority-led charities and social enterprises in England.

Make It Big with Pathway Fund will provide eight selected charities and social enterprises with £25,000 in grant funding, along with tailored support and capacity-building resources. Our goal is to help your organisation strengthen its financial resilience and operational capacity, paving the way for future social investment.

We invite eligible organisations to review our guidance document thoroughly before expressing interest. You’ll find further details on eligibility criteria and application steps below. We look forward to seeing how your organisation can Make It Big. Applications close on 14 January 2025.

Before you Apply

What We Fund

We’re looking to support projects that:

  • Address Real Issues: Target challenges like poverty alleviation and racial equity, driving meaningful change for Black and Global Majority communities.

  • Have Growth Potential: Use this funding to scale existing, income-generating projects that support sustainable financial growth.

  • Showcase Community Impact: Demonstrate a solid track record of community impact and engagement.

Funds must be used towards projects with achievable outcomes within a 9-month timeframe. We’re here to help your organisation make a lasting impact, empowering you to innovate and grow.

Our Repayable Grant Model

We’ve designed a unique, pay-it-forward grant model to encourage sustainable growth:

  • £25,000 in Funding: Grant recipients gain access to funding and ongoing support.

  • Outcome-Based Repayment: Up to £8,500 of the grant is repayable only if you successfully secure social investment.

  • No Risk: If social investment isn’t achieved, no repayment is required. However, if successful, a percentage of the investment will support future grantees in their journey.

This model prioritises your organisation’s financial stability, allowing you to grow with confidence and purpose.

Eligibility Criteria

Legal Incorporation

  • Organisations must be a legally incorporated non-profit (not limited by shares).

  • Organisations must have a clearly stated mission to support issues impacting Black and Global Majority Communities (indicated in your organisation’s governing/constitutional documents). 

  • 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 England.

  • Please note that we will be prioritising organisations active in IMDs 1-3.

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 or Global Majority-Led organisation

  • At least three Directors or Trustees. 

  • 75% of the organisation’s Directors, Trustees or equivalent Governing Body members must have lived experience of the social issues your service users face and is the focus of the organisation. (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 income diversification, with a healthy risk appetite and interest to diversify from grant dependency through increased trading income and social investment. 

Finance

  • Organisations must be generating an annual income between £150k and £500k as evidenced by their submitted accounts to Companies House/Charity Commission.

  • The accounts submitted to Companies House or Charity Commission must have been prepared by a qualified accountant.  

  • Organisations must be able to provide at least the last 2 year accounts submitted to Companies House/Charity Commission and both of these years accounts must show income generated between £150k to £500k.

  • 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 £22,000 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.

Our Events

Mindful Coworking - November

29 November 2024

We have partnered with Ustwo in Shoreditch to provide an uplifting and supportive environment to work, relax and network.

Investing in Self and Investing in your Wealth

19 November 2024

Take control of your finances and cultivate a growth mindset. Invest in your business and position yourself to thrive financially.

Apply here to take the next step for your future

This is your opportunity to access £25,000 in grant funding and practical support to strengthen your Black-led charity or social enterprise. If you’re ready to build long-term sustainability, raise social investment and make a real impact in Black and Global Majority communities, 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.

Go together,

Make it Big.