Enterprise Gateway Fund – Intermediary Partners call

About

The Henry Smith Foundation, with Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, is seeking Intermediary Partners for a three-year fund that combines grants and practical support to help UK VCSE organisations and social entrepreneurs develop earned-income ventures.

Benefits

• 💰Grant funding
  Intermediary Partners can apply for between £500,000 and £1.5 million over three years.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Wrap-around support
  Funding covers onward grants to participant organisations and entrepreneurs, enterprise development support, peer learning and networking, and programme management, staffing or administration costs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory for Intermediary Partners: proven track record in supporting enterprise or trading activities
• experience managing onward grants and financial controls
• ability to deliver practical enterprise development support
• established networks reaching underserved areas
• annual income of at least £500,000
• only Intermediary Partners can apply for this call and they will deliver onward grants and wrap-around business development support to VCSE organisations and social entrepreneurs

Participation Commitments

• Complete the online eligibility quiz provided by the Henry Smith Foundation before proceeding
• Submit an Expression of Interest by 5pm on 25 November 2026
• If eligible, submit a detailed full application by 5pm on 22 January 2027
• Deliver enterprise grants and wrap-around business development support over a three-year programme

Target Region

United Kingdom; the call states eligible countries as the United Kingdom for Intermediary Partners.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other