News article

The Key Fund Start and Grow development grants are no longer open for unsolicited applications and are no longer available as a stand-alone grant.

• Grants may still be made available but only if the group has applied to the Key Fund for a loan.

• If a group applies for a loan and the Key Fund thinks that a grant would be appropriate as part of the package, they will contact the group.

Details from Matt Smith, Fund Manager at the Key Fund, 6 June 2011:

"Due to the unprecedented level of applications for the £1,500 ‘Start and Grow Development Grant’, the Key Fund will not be in a position to accept new enquiries for this fund for the foreseeable future.

However, the good news for clients is that in light of our experience to date and to ensure that this limited and finite resource is properly focussed; from 6th June the grant will be made available on an invitation only basis exclusively to those clients who are seeking to borrow from us, with a view to giving their project the best possible start. Applications already received will be assessed on a case by case basis and you will be contacted in the next few days.

Please note that all of other funds are available as normal and are unaffected by this change."

If you have any questions about this change, or would like to discuss your bid, please contact the Key Fund on 0845 140 1400.

For more details about the Key Fund please visit www.thekeyfund.co.uk