Community Investment Fund

The Community Investment Fund (CIF) was launched in February 2014 to support community-based, locally-led organisations across England. The fund provides loans ranging from £250,000 to £2 million to charities and social enterprises that deliver essential services to improve the well-being of local residents, develop the local economy, and create positive social change for all individuals in the community. CIF aims to improve the quality of life of local individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, while enhancing community engagement and cohesion by empowering people to develop locally-determined solutions to challenges and opportunities. The fund works with organisations embedded in communities that support social inclusion and change, often created by communities in response to specific problems. The fund directly addresses four UN Sustainable Development Goals: combating poverty by enabling access to local services and accommodation, alleviating fuel poverty and energy debt, supporting education and employment initiatives for low-paid workers and the long-term unemployed, and improving access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for vulnerable people. To date, CIF has made £21.1 million in total investments and supported 16 organisations.