Aberdeen and north east charities and social enterprises will soon have the opportunity to meet with potential funders, explore support avenues and grow their community impact as part of a unique opportunity hosted by Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

The leading responsible finance provider is heading to Garioch Heritage Centre in Inverurie on Thursday, 30th of October, with third sector leaders from across the region invited to join the conversation. 

The event is the latest in SIS’s nation-wide Funding Socials roadshow, with in-person events hosted all over Scotland to connect charities and social enterprises looking for fresh ideas to help boost income generation.

Special guests from Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, Development Trusts Association Scotland and entrepreneurial support network, Firstport, will be on hand throughout the event, each offering valuable insights on funding opportunities and community development.

Kieran Daly (pictured above), head of market building at SIS, said: “This event is a great opportunity for like-minded third sector leaders to get together and spend a morning focusing on future plans and avenues for growth. 

Running a charity or social enterprise can be incredibly demanding, so we are hoping those in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will see it as a chance to step away from the day-to-day challenges and focus on bigger-picture, long-term goals to increase their impact. 

He added: “After 25 years of working in the sector, we understand that access to the right support is crucial. While finance is an incredibly important element of that, it’s also about hearing stories from peers who may have navigated similar situations or professionals in other sectors who can share valuable expertise. 

Our Funding Socials series is all about giving organisations and individuals the tools and confidence needed to fuel greater impact in the communities they work in.”

Morven Lyon, head of democratic finance at DTA Scotland, said: “Supporting local people to take ownership of enterprise and investment is key to building stronger, more resilient communities. 

This event is a big step in the right direction, providing valuable insight into the practical, community-powered ways to raise finance to reduce reliance on grants. This is a chance to share real-world examples, spark new ideas, and help social enterprises feel more confident exploring alternative funding routes rooted in local support.”

Emily Macdonald, investment readiness programme manager at First Port, added: “We’re delighted to join Social Investment Scotland as a guest funder at the upcoming Funding Socials event in Inverurie. It’s fantastic to connect with the ambitious social enterprises and community organisations driving meaningful change in their area. 

Events like Funding Socials provide a valuable platform to showcase how our support from LaunchMe, our investment readiness programme, to Step Up, which offers 0% interest loans can help transform great ideas into lasting, sustainable impact.”