How can we help

KC Community Grants

Every three months we allocate three KC Community Grants of £500 to local causes and projects in the Hull and East Riding area.Launched in 2006, we’ve awarded more than £20,000 of grants so far to various community groups, schools, charities and organisations across East Yorkshire. 

The deadline for applications is the first Friday in March, June, September and December each year.  

If you’d like to apply for a grant just click the ‘apply online’ button below or download the form and send it to us. You can call our Community Relations Manager on 01482 602831 if you have any questions.

KC Invest

We’ve launched KC Invest to help stimulate business growth in the Hull and East Yorkshire economy and help create new, sustainable jobs for local people. 

As part of KC Invest we have launched a new fund called the KC Invest Fund:  

 

What is the KC Invest Fund?

It’s an investment fund of £300,000 that KC has made available to provide start-up and growth financing for businesses in the digital and technology sectors. 

Who manages the KC Invest Fund?

Business support experts the Acorn Fund and Sirius manage the fund on KC’s behalf. They have extensive knowledge in supporting individuals to turn their business dreams into reality and have worked together across the region for many years. 

What type of businesses are classed as being in the digital and technology sectors?

The type of business eligible for a KC Invest loan could be anything from one producing or selling a high tech product to a web-based retailer – any business where technology, or digital media is integral. 

What are the other eligibility criteria?

Applicants can apply for funding to either help establish a business or to expand an already successful small business. The business needs to be based in Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire. 

What are the details of the loans available?

Loans of anywhere between £1,000 and £25,000 are available. The repayment period will typically be up to three years and the interest rate 14%, considerably lower than typical bank interest charges. 

Is any grant funding available?

Limited grant funding will be offered to fund market research or feasibility studies where this is necessary before a decision about loan financing can be made. 

How are applications for funding assessed?

The Acorn Fund and Sirius have committees already set up to assess applications for funding and these are used to assess applications for KC Invest funding too, with the addition of a representative of KC on the committee. 

How do I apply to the KC Invest Fund?

You can choose to work with either the Acorn Fund or Sirius to complete your application to the KC Invest Fund. You can only apply to the KC Invest Fund through one of these organisations. Some information about them and how they can support your business is below. 

 

About the Acorn Fund

The Acorn Fund is a registered Community Development Finance Initiative (CDFI). Until 2010 it was funded wholly by Hull City Council; since it has been able to source outside funding to enable it to work outside of Hull moving into the East Riding of Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire. 

The fund provides financial support to local start-up businesses and existing businesses excluded from traditional sources of commercial funding, working closely with other business support agencies in the regions it covers. 

The Acorn Fund’s key objective is to promote, encourage and support entrepreneurship in Hull, East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire to increase job creation and business sustainability. 

Since the Fund was set up it has supported more than 1,300 businesses and created or safeguarded more than 4,000 jobs. 

 

Peter Sykes, Acorn Fund Manager

T: 01482 324976

E: p.sykes@hullbdf.com

W: www.hullbdf.com

 

About Sirius

Sirius is a registered Enterprise Agency set up by BP at Saltend in 1999 with funding of £1m to invest in the economic future of the local area.  

It offers business loans, typically between £5,000 and £7,000 for people seeking to establish or expand a business in Hull and Holderness. It also gives advice and guidance in business planning and management, both directly and through a network of business mentors and support agencies. 

Sirius also advises applicants about other potential sources of funding and has close working relationships with local banks.

 Since Sirius was set up it has loaned £2m to 280 businesses, creating 1,500 jobs.

 

Alan Gordon-Freeman, Sirius Managing Director

T:  01482 890146

E: alangf@sirius-hull.co.uk

W: www.sirius-hull.co.uk

KC Community Panel

All requests for support from the community, whether for volunteers, business services or financial support, are considered by the KC Community Panel. The team of nine people from across KC meet once a month to consider every request for support. 

We handed the decision making process to our people because they live and work in Hull and East Yorkshire and have invaluable knowledge of their communities. 

If you’d like to request support from KC for your charity, community group or project click the ‘apply online’ button below or download the form and send it to us. Feel free to send additional supporting material with your application. You can call our Community Relations Manager on 01482 602831 if you have any questions.