Apply to the Diversity Fund

You can find all the information below in Easy Read version Diversity Fund Easy Read, and a BSL video here.

Applications for the Diversity Fund are now open!

Designed together with a panel of 500+ people who live, work and study in Camden, this fund aims to support entrepreneurs from a diverse background making an impact in Camden to grow their business.

The fund will invest in diverse entrepreneurs or business owners who identify with at least ONE OR MORE of the following:

• From a socio-economically disadvantaged background
• Black, Asian, or from other ethnic communities
• Disabled and / or neurodivergent
• Women
• LGBTQIA+
• Young entrepreneurs under the age of 35

The fund will focus on investing in diverse entrepreneurs or business owners who are making a positive impact in Camden in any of the following ways:

1. The Creative Industries: you can find a detailed list of what the creative industries cover in our Frequently Asked Questions here.
2. Local Employment, specifically organisations that are:
   1. Employing local residents in the London Borough of Camden.
   2. Creating pathways into employment through retraining, skills-building, mentoring, or apprenticeships.
   3. Supporting local people into self-employment or new business start-up opportunities.
3. Local, Community-Focused, and Inclusive Businesses
   1. Is a small, local, independent enterprise rooted in the community,
   2. Serves or empowers under-represented, minority, or excluded groups (e.g., culturally specific food or health businesses, safe-space barbershops, community cafés).
   3. Provides or enhances inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant community spaces.
   4. Contributes to reducing isolation, strengthening community connections, sustainability and building pride in place.

We will be formally assessing each application alongside Camden Community Wealth Fund’s fantastic Diversity Panel members.

The final deadline for all applications is Monday 6 April 2026 at 12 pm.

Applications will be reviewed in April. You will first hear back from the Community Wealth Fund in May.

You can find out more about the Diversity Panel and how it works here.

See here for our Frequently Asked Questions

If you need support or have any questions about the fund, join us at an entrepreneur information session:

• In Person Information Session
• Online Information Session

Launch: 4 February 2026

Fund Size: £2 million

Applicant Eligibility: Incorporated businesses and other organisations led by a diverse entrepreneur and focused on the impact areas mentioned above. The organisation doesn’t need to be based in Camden, but they must be operating in Camden or already making an impact in Camden. Sole traders are not eligible.

Revenue Generating: Organisations must be generating revenue and show an ability to repay the financing. We will not consider organisations that are pre revenue. The focus is on the ability to repay the investment, so the amount of investment requested needs to be reasonable in relation to:

• for a loan: your cash surplus and ability to repay,
• for a revenue share: your historical and projected revenue.

Funding Type: Low Interest Repayable loans OR Revenue Share Investment

Funding Size: £20,000 to £500,000 investment per organisation

1. Application Submission: Interested organisations submit their proposals through our online portal. The questions on the online portal can be previewed here: Diversity Fund Application Questions.
2. Shortlisting & Due Diligence: Shortlisted applicants are invited for further discussions and to share more information with the Community Wealth Fund team.
3. Final Selection: The Diversity Panel, a group of over 500 residents and entrepreneurs, recommends investments to the council for approval and sign off.
4. Funding Agreement: Successful applicants enter into a funding agreement with the Community Wealth Fund.
5. Implementation and Monitoring: Investment is made into the organisation, and the organisation innovates or grows their services or products with ongoing monitoring and support from the Community Wealth Fund.

1. Prepare Your Information: Collect all the information needed for the application (see below).
2. Register: Create an account on our applications portal. Make sure only one person in your organisation registers and fills in an application.
3. Complete Application Form: Fill out the application form, providing all necessary information about your organisation and investment ask. The application form should take less than 15 minutes to complete if you’ve collected the information above. All the questions on the application form can be previewed here: Diversity Fund Application Questions
4. Submit Supporting Documents: Upload any required documents, such as business plans, financial models, and details about your organisation’s impact.
5. Submit Application: Once all sections are complete, submit your application for review.
6. Provide Further Information When Requested: If you are eligible, after the team has reviewed your application, they will reach out for further information using the email you have provided to carry out the Due Diligence process.

To ensure a smooth application process, please have the following information ready:

1. Company name and address
2. Link to your website
3. Understanding of what your impact is in at least one of the three areas mentioned above
4. Revenue for last financial year
5. Revenue for current financial year
6. Accounting period dates
7. Applicants with a completed financial model and accounts will be prioritised in the process. All applicants will need a financial model by end of May 2026 in order to proceed in the process – you can find what a financial model is here. If you would like a template of the financial model or need more information please contact us here.
8. Business plan if you have one (you will need a business plan to move forward with the process although you can initially apply without one. You can find further information and support here).

Here are some tips to help you with your application:

• Provide evidence: Support your application with data and evidence of your organisation’s impact to date.
• Align with fund goals: Ensure your project aligns with at least one of the Diversity Fund’s three impact areas.
• Make sure your organisation is eligible: Check the eligibility criteria. If your organisation is not eligible, we will not progress your application. If you are unsure, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions or reach out to CommunityWealthFund@camden.gov.uk
• Please do not contact our Diversity Panel directly: We will not accept applications through direct requests to panel members. Please reach out to the Community Wealth Fund email CommunityWealthFund@camden.gov.uk if you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the team.

See here for our Frequently Asked Questions