£46.3m funding from SIS supports 178 mission-led organisations across Scotland
21 Sept 2026
Leading responsible finance provider, Social Investment Scotland (SIS), supported 178 social enterprises, charities, community groups and mission-led organisations through £46.3 million of active loans and investments over the past year, according to its latest annual Impact Report.
Covering the period April 2025 to March 2026, the report shows how SIS funding helped reach 4.5 million people across Scotland, the UK and beyond through its investees, whilst supporting stable employment and economic resilience in local communities.
Reflecting this, SIS investments contributed to the sustainability of at least 4,295 full-time equivalent jobs across its active portfolio during the year. SIS investees also delivered a wide range of outcomes for people and communities, including 46 employment, training and education programmes, 17 environmental sustainability initiatives, 17 income and financial inclusion initiatives, and 11 housing and community infrastructure projects.
Around one-third (33%) of investees are based in areas within the 35% most deprived in Scotland, while 23% operate in rural or island communities, helping ensure investment reaches people and places often underserved by traditional finance.
Beyond its investment activity, SIS has continued to strengthen Scotland's wider social economy through leadership programmes, business support and initiatives that bring together organisations from across the public, private and third sectors. During the 12 months covered by the report, 309 social enterprise leaders participated in growth-focused learning and development programmes, helping to build the skills and resilience of organisations across the sector. SIS also continued to lead Financial Inclusion for Scotland, a cross-sector initiative focused on improving access to fair and affordable financial services.
One of the year’s key developments was the full deployment of the £72 million Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF), a major initiative supporting micro, small and medium-sized businesses in deprived communities across England and Wales. The fund, which SIS helped establish alongside Lloyds Bank, Better Society Capital and Triodos, alongside four CDFIs (BCRS Business Loans, Business Enterprise Fund, Finance for Enterprise and SWIG Finance), has supported 606 loans and the creation of 1,978 new jobs. SIS has now launched a similar pilot fund in Scotland, the Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme.
The report also highlights progress against SIS's 2025-2027 Action Plan, focused on growing access to social investment, strengthening the foundations of Scotland's social economy and advancing work on financial inclusion.
Alastair Davis, CEO of Social Investment Scotland, said: “Scotland's social enterprises and charities continue to deliver real impact in their communities, often against significant financial pressures. As we move deeper into our ten-year strategy to build a stronger impact economy, our job is to make sure their ambition is met with the finance to deliver it.
"This year we backed 178 organisations with £46.3 million in investment, helping them reach millions of people through the services and opportunities they provide. We've also been laying the foundations for the future, from fully deploying the Community Investment Enterprise Fund to launching the Community ENABLE Funding programme in Scotland. What matters most is that more organisations can access the finance they need to grow their impact."
Case Study: Peebles Community Trust
Peebles Community Trust (PCT) strengthened its presence at the heart of the local community with support from SIS funding that has enabled the purchase of its new premises in the former Bank of Scotland building in the town.
The not-for-profit development trust works to support and improve the area's physical, economic, social and cultural infrastructure through a growing portfolio of community-led projects and partnerships.
SIS funding has provided a permanent home for the Trust's Re-Use Hub, creating a prominent high-street presence that supports local employment, generates income for community projects, promotes reuse and sustainability, and secures community ownership of an important local asset.
"Having a community presence on the High Street matters and opening the new hub shows that buildings at the heart of our communities don't have to sit empty. Without the support of Social Investment Scotland at an early stage in the purchasing process, we simply wouldn't have been in a position to be taken seriously as a buyer. We're delighted to hold a key presence on the high street and have already started welcoming people through our doors."
Michael Ireland
Chair of Peebles Community Trust