Key Fund

Key Fund Key Fund is a leading investor in social and community enterprise. We unlock finance and support people making a positive difference. Build one.

Don’t dream of a better world. Growing enterprise in communities: We give loans and grants to people and enterprises that make a big impact, tackling social and environmental issues in their heart of their communities. We operate across the North of England and the Midlands. Visit our website to find out more, and see how we can help you: www.thekeyfund.co.uk

Here’s what some of our clients say…



“Birdcage would not exist if it wasn’t for Key Fund support offering unsecured development loans to a charity with no track record in retail. They ensured we not only had access to money, but the right support, expertise and business plans to enable a small organisation to make the leap to trading.”
Louise Tyne, Organisation Director, Birdcage

“The Key Fund has been instrumental at key strategic points in our development. We started as one thing, but now we deliver many different services through various strands and the Key Fund has provided vital investment at every stage, allowing us to launch these new brands and concepts. Have you ever talked to a bank? There’s almost zero access to finance, especially at first as a new organisation. Even after 11 years of operating, in this current climate there’s no chance of accessing money from mainstream banks, so the Key Fund has been vital to our survival and growth.”
Steven Mundin, Senior Manager, Higher Rhythm

“Having the Key Fund in Yorkshire has helped address disadvantage and discrimination in a practical and lasting way. It stimulates local economies in deprived areas backing projects that mainstream banks just wouldn’t touch. The continued success of ABL and the transformation of Manningham are testament to the spirit of what can be achieved, with the right support and belief.”
Sam Keighley CEO, ABL

“Without the Key Fund support, we’d be finished. They’ve handed us at least two ‘get out of jail’ cards. I can’t praise them enough. It’s not just the financial support but the advice, support and trusting relationship with the staff. We’re a diverse organisation always in tune with what’s happening around us - even more so with the economic uncertainties. We’ve dropped services and bought new ones in to support the people who most need it. I’ve been here over ten years and the connection with the Key Fund has put us where we are today.”
Steve Palmer, Operations Manager, Barnsley Community Build

“Key Fund not only invests, it’s shaping the sector at large. Their impact and leadership is remarkable. They punch well above their weight, thanks to their passion and commitment. They’ve have the vision to adapt to the challenges in our economy, without ever losing their original mission – to help balance inequalities, improving lives of the most disadvantaged in society.”
Ben Hughes, CEO of the CDFA

Key Fund supported Family Gateway with a £37.5k grant, enabling the Tyne & Wear-based social enterprise to expand its co...
28/05/2026

Key Fund supported Family Gateway with a £37.5k grant, enabling the Tyne & Wear-based social enterprise to expand its community business – going on to deliver over 72,000 free meals to families in need. 🍽️

What makes Family Gateway truly special is its team. Every single member of staff has lived experience of the challenges families face, from homelessness to poverty to domestic abuse. It's not just a job.

Strategic Director Pauline Wonders said: "Without the funding from Key Fund, we would have stumbled along. It was absolutely critical. I don't think we'd be where we are now without it. I really don't." 💛

To read more about Family Gateway, see our case study here: https://thekeyfund.co.uk/client-stories/family-gateway/

Impact is everything. 🌟Every £1 of Key Fund’s investment delivers impact of at least £4. You can earn about the stories ...
26/05/2026

Impact is everything. 🌟

Every £1 of Key Fund’s investment delivers impact of at least £4.

You can earn about the stories of our impact on our website.

💻 https://thekeyfund.co.uk/client-stories/

Northern Impact Fund 2 is finance to support the development or growth of trading activity, including cash-flow, working...
21/05/2026

Northern Impact Fund 2 is finance to support the development or growth of trading activity, including cash-flow, working capital, and asset development or purchase. 📊

With investment options starting from £5,000 for 1-5 years, visit our funding page to explore the right fund option for you.

https://thekeyfund.co.uk/funding/northern-impact-fund-2/

❤️ Originally approaching Key Fund for working capital support, Africawad has gone on to save 300,000 kilos of clothing ...
18/05/2026

❤️ Originally approaching Key Fund for working capital support, Africawad has gone on to save 300,000 kilos of clothing from landfill each year, while supporting more than 20 women annually into education or employment. ♻️

The Wallsend-based CIC collects and sells recycled clothing, using the enterprise to build skills, confidence and job experience for women who face barriers to work in the UK – from language barriers to a lack of UK job references.

Founder Afi Dometi said:
"If women have an education, their children will have an education too; it will help the continent, it will stop war, it will stop emigration, it will stop dictatorship." 🌍

Read the full story here 👉 https://thekeyfund.co.uk/client-stories/africawad/

At Key Fund, we are focused on providing the right money at the right time – and into the communities that need it the m...
12/05/2026

At Key Fund, we are focused on providing the right money at the right time – and into the communities that need it the most. ❤️

70% of our funding goes into the top 30% most disadvantaged areas of northern England.

As a Social Enterprise ourselves, we understand the challenges organisations face and will support them, pre and post-investment.

If you are looking for funding for your social enterprise, get in touch: https://thekeyfund.co.uk/contact/

This is great news for community groups, like Coalville C.A.N. ❤️The new "community right to buy" powers will enable the...
30/04/2026

This is great news for community groups, like Coalville C.A.N. ❤️

The new "community right to buy" powers will enable these groups to establish permanent homes in their communities and ensure safety and stability for the people that need it most.

Ministers say the new law in England gives power to local people who want to help others.

Two great webinars to learn more about the Energy Resilience Fund. 🍃The first of which is this afternoon! You can regist...
30/04/2026

Two great webinars to learn more about the Energy Resilience Fund. 🍃

The first of which is this afternoon!

You can register here: https://lnkd.in/exqbxw8b

And for the second, on May 14th, register here: https://lnkd.in/eJwWA2Sb

27/04/2026

What does social investment look like in practice?

Originally approaching Key Fund to help expand its resources in order to meet demand, Autism Dogs Charity has since grown significantly, with turnover increasing by over £100,000. 🪴

The Cheshire-based organisation trains and matches assistance dogs to support those with autism, and is a brilliant example of what's possible when the right funding meets the right organisation.

Founder Caroline Preston said: “Our dogs are so compassionate, so empathic, and yet upbeat, tenacious, and sassy. Dogs are the best thing on the planet!” 🐕

You can read the full story here: https://thekeyfund.co.uk/client-stories/autism-dogs/

Address

Key Fund, Riverside Works, 9-12 Jessops Riverside, 800 Brightside Lane
Sheffield
S92RY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443302020559

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