Participatory social investment
We are very excited to announce our first investment in the borough, with a £75,000 investment into The Boathouse Studios.
The investment will accelerate the growth of the business, through upgrading facilities and building increased brand recognition.
We want to encourage participatory social investment in the borough. Our aim is for Barking and Dagenham to become a hot spot for social sector funding and investment in the next three years. We want to attract £5 million of additional investment to address the systemic issues that matter most to our local community.
The Boathouse exemplifies the kind of transformative projects we are proud to support. It is not just about funding; it’s about sustainable growth and meaningful impact in a borough bursting with potential.
“Our journey with BD Giving has been transformational. Usually these things are quite transactional but this investment is not just about financial support; there's something deeply community about it. Together we’re creating space where community and creativity can thrive. It’s a very different way of doing things. We are excited and we’re going to spend it very wisely.”
The Boathouse: A Hub of Community and Creativity
Since its launch in October 2014, under the leadership of Carole Pluckrose The Boathouse has transformed from a disused 19th-century industrial building into a thriving multi-purpose venue. In 2023/24 alone, The Boathouse welcomed over 16,000 visitors to various events, including arts exhibitions, community film screenings, workshops, and private celebrations.
With the recent closures of community venues Studio 3 Arts and The Broadway Theatre, The Boathouse is needed more than ever in the borough.
The £75,000 investment (5% interest over 5 years) from BD Giving will enable The Boathouse to refurbish the kitchen, install a state of the art dance floor, expand its capacity and operate as an approved premises for licensed weddings.
A 100% Community-Led Investment Portfolio
While there are a growing number of impact-first social investors in the UK, we are the first to adopt a 100% community-led investment decision-making process.
Back in 2020 we recruited 12 local women into a community steering group. The group are all women; mostly People of Colour; some mothers; some local business owners. All are residents of Barking and Dagenham.
Using money paid by developers of new building projects to the Council and transferred to BD Giving they designed an investment policy for their community that balances impact, risk and return.
Initially the group struggled to find investable opportunities within the borough so they chose to use some of the fund to support local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. In prioritising businesses that are good for people and the planet, they also nurtured a homegrown social investment pipeline.
The GROW Fund launched in 2023 and The Boathouse was a successful participant receiving £25,000 in grant money and a six-month business development support. This helped them develop a business plan to take The Boathouse to the next level.
"Delighted for The Boathouse to receive this money. They seemed to be the most keen community organisation for investment when we were deciding which organisations should receive the initial grant of 25k."
For more information about partnership and investment opportunities contact Kate Harmatz, Head of Fundraising & Partnerships.
