Fund Feature
Community Investment Enterprise Facility (CIEF)
Many micro and small businesses (MSMEs) across the UK are unable to access mainstream finance and face barriers to growth.
About CIEF
While they can sometimes access finance from socially motivated lenders, such as Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), the CDFIs themselves face barriers to achieving long-term sustainability and securing significant capital at scale to meet the demand of small businesses.
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The Fund
The Community Investment Enterprise Facility (CIEF) was established in 2018 to provide CDFIs with the capital they need to meet demand; to help increase understanding of the financial and social impact of CDFI lending; and to attract other mission-driven investors to help achieve long-term stability.
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Deployment
Working with cornerstone funder Big Society Capital and four CDFIs, SIS has deployed £27.2million of CIEF funding, providing growth capital to MSMEs who are unable to access mainstream funding. This is matched by £30million of funding committed by Triodos Bank and Unity Trust Bank.
Impact
Micro and small businesses (MSMEs)
721
supported
With
£51.1M
Of loans totalling
As of March 2022
£27.2M
Had been deployed to 4 CDFIs
CDFIs
The four participating CDFIs are BCRS Business Loans, Business Enterprise Fund, Finance for Enterprise, and First Enterprise.
CDFI partners
