Spring Impact is launching applications for its new Scale Accelerator, which has been specially redesigned in light of the Covid-19 crisis to help ambitious non-profits reach more people, or pivot to maximise impact following the pandemic.

With the social sector facing a challenging backdrop of uncertainty from rising demand and shrinking resources, Spring Impact has adapted its Scale Accelerator programme to help non-profits get vital social innovations to those who urgently need them.

Made possible thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, the Scale Accelerator is a fully funded sixth month programme for charities and social enterprises. This next programme will kick off in November 2020, providing vital support, skills and perspective for organisations aiming to maximise their impact and change more lives.

In light of the current crisis, the programme will offer two new tracks tailored to organisations facing critical challenges as a result of the crisis:

• Track one: Reaching more people – helping organisations to maximise impact and reach more people, by considering ways to work with partners to implement solutions in more locations.
• Track two: Reviewing the road ahead to maximise impact – for organisations at a critical point due to the changing situation, that are looking for support in determining how to pivot, adapt and prioritise resources, to have as much impact as possible.

Hannah Barker, Scale Accelerator Programme Manager at Spring Impact said: “Non-profits are on the frontline of the devastation wrought by Covid-19 and the gaping inequalities it has exposed. Getting great social innovations to those who need them is critical as we enter the next phase of the crisis.  With a growth of interest in partnerships, there is a real opportunity for non-profits to work together to reach more people. Others organisations are facing pivotal questions about their future, with the pandemic throwing plans off course, or triggering an expected surge in demand for services. The Scale Accelerator can really help mission-driven organisations with these core challenges. We have redesigned the programme to specifically focus on these issues. I would encourage any non-profits to apply if they are looking to get clear on direction and develop a strategy to move forward sustainably.”

Scale Accelerator provides a tailored programme of support, delivered through virtual interactive sessions, helping organisations to build the capacity and skills to maximise and sustain their impact.

Each organisation benefits from over £30,000 worth of consultancy from a dedicated team of experts, who draw upon Spring Impact’s proven methodology.

Participants form part of a small group of organisations on a similar journey and receive practical help to upskill and develop a robust strategy and action plan, focused on ensuring resources go further and plans are financially sustainable.

Cassie Robinson, Senior Head of UK funding at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Charities and voluntary sector organisations are facing new and difficult pressures posed by COVID-19, but they also play a vital role in responding and recovering and there is huge opportunity to maximise impact and reach. That’s why we’re proud that National Lottery funding is supporting Scale Accelerator and projects across the UK to scale up and help more communities to recover and go on to thrive.”

Since 2015, twenty-nine ambitious UK charities and social entrepreneurs at the frontline of addressing key societal issues have participated in the Scale Accelerator. As a result, many have increased their reach and impact, and gained funding for their next phase of growth.

Applications for the Scale Accelerator need to be received by 12 August 2020. To find out more, register your interest, or apply, visit www.scaleaccelerator.org.