Funding Socials is an inspiring in-person event series designed for charity and social enterprise leaders looking for fresh ideas and connections to help boost income generation.

Our next session will be held in the Burnfoot Community Hub, Hawick. You will have the chance to hear directly from both Funders and a local organisation working to raise funds.

For our session in the borders we welcome Aneela McKenna, Aneela is a respected mountain biker, advocate, and passionate trail enthusiast. Known for championing diversity, inclusion and equality in the outdoors, she has made a significant impact on the cycling community. Aneela has founded and supported several cycling charities dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices while continuing to embrace the joy of riding, building connections, and pushing boundaries.

Drawing on more than 20 years of inclusion experience in the public sector, Aneela founded Mòr Diversity, where she consults with numerous cycling and sports organisations across the UK and globally to enhance their inclusion practices. Furthermore, as a Mountain Bike Tutor and Sports Educator, she's dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and fostering a more inclusive culture in cycling.

The event is designed to help you cross the divide and connect with both funders and new peers, who can help you on your journey.

Please tell us a bit more information about you and your organisation within the registration, so we can match you up to potential funding, investment and support opportunities during the Funding Socials event.

Jane Bruce of Brilliant Leaders will facilitate the session with the aim of creating an informal and accessible event.

We are also delighted to welcome along some of the team from South of Scotland Enterprise and Juliana Amaral CEO of Borders Community Action as well as some of her team. We will also welcome Emily Macdonald, Investment Readiness Programme Manager, Firstport, Julie Nelson and Alexandra Krause, The National Lottery Community Fund, Funding Officers- South Scotland, Jane Rosegant, Programme Lead, Corra Foundation and Jo Robertson, Scotland Support Officer, The Architectural Heritage Fund.

Kieran Daly, Head of Market Building at Social Investment Scotland and our guest speakers will explain the support and funds they offer charities and social enterprises and be ready to answer any questions you have.

You will be given a warm welcome with teas/coffees on arrival and the session will close with a light lunch, where you will have the chance to mix with funders and peers and make some new connections.

The hosts for this session are:

Jane Bruce, Brilliant Leaders

Jane is the Founder of Brilliant Leaders, a social business which offers coaching and development programmes to leaders and teams with a social purpose. Jane is a former charity/social enterprise CEO, accredited Executive Coach and experienced facilitator.

Before setting up Brilliant Leaders, Jane was Chief Executive of Social Bite in Scotland. In this role, Jane led a team of 100+ staff and 90 volunteers to run a chain of social enterprise cafes, mass fundraising events and innovative housing programmes. Previously, Jane was Chief Executive of Venture Scotland, which provides a wilderness-based development programme to young people facing tough challenges.

Alongside Brilliant Leaders, Jane is a qualified football coach having previously played football in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

and Kieran Daly, Head of Market Building, Social Investment Scotland

Kieran started his career as a youth worker at The Prince’s Trust, devising and delivering training programmes. He has held senior management roles in business development for a range of arts, volunteering and youth organisations for over 15 years.

Kieran was Chief Operating Officer at food waste and food poverty fighting organisation, FoodCycle. While there, he grew the organisation’s presence from 14 to 30 locations around England in under two years, through a social franchising model.

Most recently, Kieran was Scotland Manager for Big Issue Invest, where he delivered a multi-agency partnership, engaging the private, public and third sectors in mentoring and lending money to early-stage social ventures. He is a keen cyclist who enjoys giving back by being on the Board of Social Enterprise Scotland.

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Funding Socials: Meet Funders, Find New Resources & Connect with Your Peers