Social Impact Accelerator
Strengthening Birmingham’s community organisations for long-term impact.
ACT is entering year three of our National Lottery–funded journey supporting grassroots leaders across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
This year, the Accelerator focuses on established CICs and community organisations that are ready to grow, organise their work more effectively and build a more sustainable future for their community.
Who the Accelerator is for
This programme is designed for people who are already doing the work every day:
the mentors, youth workers, organisers, creatives, coaches and neighbourhood leaders who know their communities better than anyone else.
- You might be:
- 2+ years into running your CIC or community organisation
- Delivering real value locally but feeling overstretched
- Unsure how to organise your time, systems or team
- Needing support around funding, income, or growth
- Holding a powerful mission but struggling to scale it
- Looking for tools that make your work easier, not heavier
If that sounds like you, the Accelerator will give you space, structure and the right support to move forward with purpose.
What the Accelerator helps you do
Running a social enterprise is rewarding — but it can also feel chaotic. Many leaders tell us they’re juggling too much with too few resources.
This programme helps you untangle the pressure and build the foundations that matter.
You will gain:
- Clear Direction
- Refocusing your mission, values and purpose
- Understanding your community’s needs and your role within them
- Creating a realistic plan for the next stage of growth
- Stronger Systems & Leadership
- Building simple, effective ways to manage your operations
- Strengthening governance and accountability
- Improving how your team or volunteers work together
- Better Use of Digital Tools & Data
- Understanding the software that makes everyday work easier
- Learning how to use data and impact measurement properly
- Getting ready for AI and digital transformation in ways that fit your scale
- Sustainable Growth
- Exploring income models, partnerships and contracts
- Building confidence around fundraising and financial planning
- Learning how to grow without losing yourself — or burning out
Who should not apply
- To keep the programme community-focused, we are not seeking:
- Organisations operating mainly outside Birmingham
- Large national charities
- Groups without direct community engagement
If your work is rooted here and grounded in people, this is for you.
Spaces Available
Around 20 Birmingham-based organisations will be selected to join the Accelerator, with at least 15 expected to complete the programme with a stronger, clearer pathway toward long-term success.
