The Social Investment Business response to the Cabinet Office proposed Big Lottery Fund Policy Directions Consultation

26 August 2011

Responding to the Cabinet Office Consultation on the Big Lottery Fund Policy Directions, The Social Investment Business Managing Director of Investments Sue Peters said:

"We welcome the Government’s recognition of the role social investment has to play in improving the communities and lives of people most in need and its recommendation to commit Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to this new priority area going forward.

Our experience shows that there is huge unmet demand for social finance among civil society organisations. What they need is greater access to capital and support to help them become investment ready. In its role supporting civil society in the UK, BIG is well-placed in helping strengthen and increase the capacity of the social investment market.

Collaborative working is more important than ever, and in social finance relationships between funders will be crucial in creating an effective and sustainable market that can support innovative projects and organisations.”

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1. For further information or interviews, please contact The Social Investment Business press office:

Liz Banks - 0207 842 7726/ 07809 504072 liz.banks@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Nicola Jones - 0207 842 7755 nicola.jones@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

2.  The Social Investment Business, the largest social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. We help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking.

www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org @TheSocialInvest

3.  The Social Investment Business manages the Futurebuilders Fund on behalf of The Office for Civil Society, the Social Enterprise Investment Fund for the Department of Health, the Communitybuilders Fund which was endowed to parent charity the Adventure Capital Fund by the Department for Communities and Local Government.  We have over 1,100 active investments which range in size and scope from, for example,  £3,600 to help a small organisation bid successfully for a public sector contract, to £6.7million to help a large national charity establish and develop innovative new services for children and young people.