We carefully select the charities and social enterprises we work with as our venture philanthropy model involves a high level of engagement. Therefore it is essential that the organisation both wants and needs Impetus support. We only invest in a limited number of new charities and social enterprises each year and we undertake thorough due diligence on all potential investments.
Eligibility checker
If you would like to apply to become an Impetus portfolio charity,
please see our eligibility checker before you
complete the application form.
What we look for in charities and social enterprises:
- Coverage: Impetus backs charities and social enterprises that are working with significant numbers of economically disadvantaged people.
- Ambition: We support charities and social enterprises that have the ambition to effect far-reaching change for the economically disadvantaged.
- Outcome focus: We seek charities and social enterprises that deliver outcomes addressing challenging issues such as long-term unemployment or re-offending. We focus on outcomes relating to increased educational attainment, skills and employment. Organisations we back have a commitment to monitoring and evaluating their outcomes.
- Talented chief executive: We seek chief executives with the vision, energy, enterprise and determination to motivate their teams to deliver ambitious plans that aim to help more people move out of poverty. Quality of leadership is an important factor in our decision making.
- Distinctive and good prospects for sustainability: We target our support at charities and social enterprises that are distinctive and have strong prospects for success and sustainability in their sector.
- Supporting the whole organisation: We provide funding and expertise to support the development of a whole organisation and not just a particular project or activity.
Structural criteria:
- Turnover £250k+
- Operational and with audited accounts for at least three years
- HQ and significant portion of management in England. The majority of organisations supported by Impetus operate only in the UK; a small number operate internationally.
Exclusions:
- Focusing on animals, culture and heritage rather than people
- Umbrella organisations
- Organisations whose services are conditional upon the acceptance, profession or observance of a particular religious position
- Organisations substantially/exclusively working in the areas of research or advocacy.
Read more about our current portfolio of charities and social enterprises.
There has never been a greater need for giving than now. I would urge donors to be strategic in their giving, and look for opportunities where they know their money is having the greatest possible impact.
Dame Stephanie Shirley
UK Ambassador for Philanthropy
