Our history

Originally called the Local Investment Fund, we were set up in 1995 by the then Department for Employment, Transport and the Regions, Business in the Community and the private sector, led by NatWest, with the aim of overcoming the funding gap often experienced by social enterprises. Our various regional funds were called Community Loan Funds.

Since then, we have worked with several of the English Regional Development Agencies and a number of private sector organisations.  We believe there should be a permanent loan fund in each region dedicated to meeting the needs of social enterprises.

We currently have funds available to lend in North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and South East regions.  Additionally, we may be able to help in the Objective 2 parts of London. We are actively trying to establish funds in the other English regions and in Wales.

In April 2008 we changed our name to The Social Enterprise Loan Fund.