If you are a very small charity or social enterprise (receiving less than £150,000 annual income with at least one founder of either Black, Asian, Multi-Ethnic or Refugee (BAMER) origin looking to grow and become funding ready, we can help you!

This is an intensive and innovative programme, designed to improve the Sustainability, Fundraising Capabilities and Leadership of UK registered BAMER charities and social enterprises. We know these organisations face numerous unique challenges; often taking many years to gain momentum and build capacity in spite of the great needs they are meeting.

Our accelerator programme is the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom:

• Qualifying groups receive intensive capacity building and consultancy support which enables them to achieve sustainable growth and to successfully raise funds for their work.
• It is facilitated by consultants with extensive experience of working with BAMER organisations.
• It offers a mix of training, governance, finance, coaching and income diversification interventions.

By the end of the programme, we expect groups to have increased their effectiveness, their impact on beneficiaries and their fundraising success. This year, successful organisations will receive:

• A Diagnostic Review of their organisation and a bespoke development plan.
• Intensive Training Sessions on Non-Profit Essentials, Financial Literacy and Income Generation, run by industry experts.
• A dedicated consultant, offering practical (including bid writing and fundraising support).
• Networking opportunities with key grant-makers.
• Coaching and Mentoring.Access to fundraising networks and events.
• Fast track access to all grant opportunities and annual Dragons’ Den event.
• Lifetime membership of the AVOCADO alumni community, and more.

Fees

The Money4YOU AVOCADO+ Accelerator Programme is worth £3,000 per organisation and this will be offered for free to up to 20 successful organisations, thanks to our partners.

In return we expect:

• Absolute commitment to all training dates
• At least two regular attendees from your organisation to join the monthly training and development (Friday and Saturday) #BootCamp sessions.
• Submission of outputs on time
• Timely communication with your consultant and course administration team – should any challenges arise

ℹ️ Please note: All organisations accepted on to the programme would be required to pay an administrative deposit of £50. This is refundable at the end of the programme, providing they satisfy the attendance requirements and do not miss any submission deadlines.

Qualifying organisations will be invited to register as applications are received, on a first come first served basis until available spaces are filled.

Your Faculty

AmickyCarol Akiwumi MBE

CEO/Founder, Money4YOU

Carol is a social entrepreneur, consultant, trainer and inspirational speaker with a passion for Stewardship and tackling inequality; helping individuals and organisations to unlock their potential in those areas.  Her expertise includes creating bespoke strategies, programmes and tools for capacity building and resource mobilisation, as well as developing high level partnerships with major donors, community groups and business leaders on four continents.

Carol has an MA in Economics and Finance from the University of Leeds having started out her career as an investment banker. In 2012, she set up RAA Solutions, an ethical, creative business development consultancy and training agency. Carol is the founding Chair of Black Fundraisers UK, as well as a Fellow, Trustee and Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF). She is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals USA. She has been the Chair of the CIoF’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee since 2019.

Marie Josee Abbet

Programmes Support Officer

Marie Josee is a financial inclusion professional with the vision to reduce financial literacy and poverty in the world, especially in low-income countries. She is passionate about what she does and loves international development work. She worked in several multicultural organisations and recently participated in the implementation of a fintech in West Africa with the mission to make Africa, the first cashless continent and to design suitable financial services accessible to everyone, especially poor households, and women.

Marie Josee has an MSc in Banking and International Finance from the University of Leeds. She started her career working in a bank as a customer service officer and an assistant treasurer in a multinational.