Community Ownership Fund

Provides matched funding for community organisations to help run community-owned businesses.

Go4Growth Programme

Support to access public sector procurement/tender opportunities

Resonance Social Impact Investment Funds

Investment opportunities for the community/voluntary sector.

TV Licensing for Clubs and Community Groups

Information and regulations for clubs and community groups around TV licensing.

CIC Regulator

The regulator for Community Interest Companies.

VCSE Strength Checker

BITC - Business in the Community

BITC work with their members to continually improve responsible business practices.

Useful Resources and Contacts

File Your CIC Accounts Online

Understand how to file your CIC accounts online.

Setting up a CIC

Information and guidance on how to set up a Community Interest Company.

Registering a CIC - Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions providing information on registering a Community Interest Company.

Webinars and guidance - selling to government and the public sector

Resources for businesses looking to tender for public sector or government contracts.

RICS - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Information on the professional body that accredits professionals within the land, property and construction sectors.

Co Operatives UK

Support for co‑ops to start up and thrive through access to expert advice, events and training.

Thrive Together Fund

The Thrive Together Fund (TTF) provides a funding package of loan (75%) and grant (25%) to eligible charities and social enterprises in England

National Lottery Community Funds

A range of funds for organisations providing services in their communities

Community Shares Unit

Community Shares Unit provides resources and guidance via the website including a directory of businesses with Community Shares and listings for news and events.

Co-operative & Community Finance

HMRC Community Forums

The small business forum offers small businesses and the self-employed a forum and support and guidance needed to start, grow, and manage your business.

UK Code of Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming

A voluntary code of best practice for how music is streamed in the UK.

Heritage Enterprise Programme

The Heritage Enterprise programme is for community projects that are looking to grow by investing in neglected historic buildings and bringing them back into use.

National Funding Tools

Grants, Finance & Support Schemes - National Portals

BFA - British Franchise Association

British Franchise Association (BFA) is the original and largest not-for-profit trade association for franchising in the UK.

Ofcom

Ofcom is the communications regulator. They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed-line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.

SIA - Security Industry Authority

The regulating body for the private security industry in the UK.

WRAP - Waste Resource Action Plan

Information, resources and practical solutions for businesses to improve resource efficiency.

Kaleidoscope Foundation

Kaleidoscope Foundation helps entrepreneurs with disabilities to realise their dream of running and growing their own business.

London Stock Exchange – AIM Programme

AIM helps founders and entrepreneurs fulfil their growth ambitions and potential.

Local Crowdfunding

Converting a Limited Company to a CIC

Guidance on converting a Limited Company to a CIC and what documentation is needed.

The Chartered Institute Of Marketing

The Chartered Institute Of Marketing is a professional marketing body who seek to assist both individuals and businesses.

Royal Bank of Scotland - Business Builder

Digital tool designed to give you the right support for you and your business

Pluss

Pluss are recognised as one of the leading national disability employment specialists in the UK.

Amazon Small Business Accelerator

The upgraded Accelerator is now available on Amazon and offers a suite of free-to-use resources for all startups, entrepreneurs and small or medium-sized businesses.

Closing a Limited Company with an outstanding Bounce Back Loan (BBL)

Information on closing a limited company with an outstanding Bounce Back Loan

ISO Accreditation

ISO is an independent, non-governmental membership organization They help companies to access new markets, level the playing field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade.

Reward-based crowdfunding platforms

Reward-based crowdfunding is for individuals to donate to a project or business with the expectation of receiving a non-financial reward in return. Platforms are available to and raise funds.

British Chambers of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce help firms of all sizes to achieve more.

FSB - Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses is a a not-for-profit organisation which exists to serve the UK small community.

Companies House

Companies House incorporate and dissolve limited companies, register company information and make it available to the public.

Hatch Enterprise

A source of business support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

UK Business Climate Hub

The UK Business Climate Hub is an opportunity to join thousands of other businesses tackling climate change.

CICM - Chartered Institute of Credit Management

The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) is the largest recognised professional body in the world for the credit management community.

UK Space Agency

The UK Space Agency inspires and leads the UK in space to benefit our planet and its people.

Events and networking groups in Rutland

Organisations that help businesses to find events and networking groups.

Government Property Finder

The Government Property Finder advertises vacant and surplus space - buildings and land for use by businesses, developers, community groups and the general public.

VCA - Vehicle Certification Agency

VCA is the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval authority.

Good Things Foundation

Good Things Foundation is a charity that helps to tackle digital and social exclusion by providing people with the skills and confidence they need to access digital technology.

Events and networking groups in West Northamptonshire (formerly Northampton)

Organisations that help businesses to find events and networking groups.

Investors In People

An accreditation to help businesses get the best from their people.

Young Enterprise

A range of programmes and initiative are available for young people across the UK.

Deutsche Bank – Made For Good​

The Deutsche Bank enterprise programme for social good,

Persons with Significant Control and the PSC Register

Legislation and guidance on Persons with Significant Control.

Trade Associations - Management

Websites and contact details for trade associations for individuals working in management positions.

Trade Associations - Health, Care and Medical

Websites and contact details for trade associations for the health, care and medical sectors.

Changes to Company Law - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act

Legislation with a range of measures to reduce fraud in companies and partnerships registered at Companies House

Entrepreneurial Spark

Help for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to find new ways to develop their business, local economies and communities.

Big Society Capital

Big Society Capital connects capital with social enterprises, charities and social purpose organisations.

Social Enterprise UK

Information resources, advice, and membership organisation for people starting and running a social enterprise in the UK.

CDFI - Community Development Finance Institutions

CDFIs are a type of social enterprise that provides support and lends money to businesses and people who struggle to get finance from high street banks.

Ordering Certified Copies & Certificates via Companies House

Information on how to request certified copies & certificates via companies house.

Flexible Finance Fund

4m of funding and support to 15-25 Black and Racially Minoritised charities and social enterprises in England with a material package of funding and support

Shaw Trust

Support for disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work or start a business.

The Commonwealth Games Inclusive Communities Fund

The Inclusive Communities Fund will support local communities to propose and implement solutions to real issues in their areas, allowing local people to drive positive change.  

Be the Business - Free Online Support

Are you looking for free business support, information and guidance?

Big Issue Invest

Big Issue Invest assists the growth of sustainable social enterprises by providing finance to organisations that create a positive social impact.

NESTA

NESTA is an innovation charity with a mission to help people and organisations bring great ideas to life.

UnLtd - Starting your social business

Funding and support on offer to social entrepreneurs looking to start a social enterprise.

UnLtd - Growing your social business

Funding and support on offer to social entrepreneurs looking to grow their social enterprise.

UnLtd - Support for Social Entrepreneurs

Support available to social enterprises including online resources, mentoring, network events and more.