Top Social Finance Twitter Accounts to Follow

Ulster Community Investment Trust 

@UCIT_Ltd

Since 2001, UCIT Loan Fund has assisted over 300 community organisations, charities and social enterprises in NI and the Republic of Ireland, providing finance of more than £45million.

With borrowers that run the gamut from child-care providers to community development groups to energy and environmental initiatives, supported by agencies such as INI, the EU, DETI and DSD, UCIT provides loans and equity alternatives in order to fill the gap between grants and day-to-day business needs.

Their Twitter feed is both an information resource for people interested in social finance and a booster for the small businesses and community groups they support.

Co-Operatives UK 

@CooperativesUK 

Co-operatives UK is a network for the thousands of co-operatives in the UK< working to promote, develop and unite member-owned businesses which are worth a total of £37 billion to the British economy.

The organisation brings together co-ops to campaign on vital issues, raise awareness of co-op businesses and helps create a level playing field for the start up and growth of co-ops.

They lobby politicians to ensure supportive government policies and helped pioneer the idea of the Fair Tax mark – a label that was developed to ensure the public understands that co-ops are proud to pay their fair share of tax.

Their Twitter feed, which has over 10,000 followers is used to promote events like the annual Co-operatives Fortnight and the Big Co-op Clean, as well as to serve as a mouthpiece for the benefits of co-operative business arrangements.

Big Society Capital 

@BigSocietyCap 

Big Society Capital is an independent financial institution with the mission to help grow the social investment market. By helping charities and social enterprises get access to finance, they help enable the provision of services that are vital to making vibrant and cohesive communities.

They act as both an investor in and a champion of the social investment market, dispensing finance from sources including the Big Lottery Fund and high street banks. Funds are being used to create new revenue streams and buy and refurbish buildings across the UK.

The Big Society Capital Twitter feed passes along information from a variety of sources, from the City of London publications the Guardian newspaper.

New Philanthropy Capital 

@NPCthinks

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is a London-based charity think tank and consultancy that advises on funding, maximizing impact and provides bespoke research services.

They work to identify issues that are holding the sector back, whether it is measuring impact, creating solid partnerships or accessing data. Clients include a range of organisations, from charities and social enterprises to companies that want to make the most of corporate giving.

They also advise individual families and donors on choosing the right cause and evaluating success. With an active Twitter feed and extensive following, the NPC account is a must for those who want to stay abreast of #socialinvestment and charity sector news.

Charity Bank 

@CharityBank

Charity Bank bills itself as “an ethical bank driven to look after its customers and help charities flourish.”

They offer fair rates of interest and a specialist knowledge of the sector, and have provided flexible loans to support more than 1,000 charities, community organisations and social enterprises.

Based in Kent, the bank has clients in all parts of the UK and Northern Ireland and works with a variety of groups, from sporting associations, to archaeology to women’s shelters.

With partnerships across the sector, their Twitter feed contains a wealth of information on a wide variety of events, groups and helpful financial tips, such as how to combat the pernicious effects of loan sharks.