Grants and support

Futurebuilders does not offer stand-alone grant funding. However, we often include grants and professional consultancy support within an overall investment package.

Grants are often used to provide support while the new project is being set up, or to strengthen the organisation’s capacity which will contribute to the success of the project. They sometimes meet initial costs that cannot be included in the contract or fee price.

Every applicant and investee also receives support from a in-house Investment Officer, who will often work with a Futurebuilders Business Consultant to provide specific advice depending on the project.

Grants we offer may include:

  • Time limited revenue funding (up to a maximum of two years) to cover start-up costs, staff costs or other transitional costs incurred before contract or fee income becomes available
  • Capital funding to meet all or part of the costs of buildings, vehicles or equipment where loan finance would be premature because contract or fee income was not yet in place to support the loan
  • Capacity building to provide practical support, for example to develop marketing and negotiation skills, IT systems or project management capabilities

Development support

Futurebuilders sometimes receives applications from small or medium sized organisations that demonstrate real potential and an interesting approach to public service delivery but require more development before we could justify a full investment.

Where that is the case we might offer a development support in the form of grants of around £10,000, to support the development of the scheme or perhaps help develop the organisation’s capacity. Applicants cannot apply for development support. These grants are only awarded at our discretion and we expect any organisation in receipt of development support to continue its investment application after spending the grant.

Consultancy support we offer may include advice and training about:

  • Contract negotiation with public bodies
  • Reviews of organisational and governance structures
  • Developing business plans and financial planning
  • Property and legal advice
  • Full cost recovery courses or reviews
  • Marketing and PR support