More information
2025 saw the launch of the Kao SEED Fund (Social Enterprise and Environment Development Fund) in partnership with KAO Data. This new initiative invites local voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in Stockport to apply for grants of approximately £500 to £2,500. Designed to foster enterprising activity, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment, the Kao SEED Fund supports early-stage and expanding projects that support communities to thrive in Stockport.
Criteria for the 2026 fund will be confirmed shortly.
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The Kao SEED Fund aims to support impactful projects in the following areas:
Community Empowerment Initiatives that strengthen local networks, skills, and resources. Examples include Multi-purpose community spaces, cultural festivals or Youth and Senior Mentorship Programmes
Environmental Sustainability: Projects focused on reducing waste, improving biodiversity, and building sustainable practices, like Community Gardens, Recycling or waste reduction initiatives or urban bee-keeping programmes.
Enterprise Development: Opportunities for local entrepreneurs to trial new ideas, products, or services that contribute to community resilience and economic growth, such as incubator stalls at local markets, tool libraries or equipment lending schemes or skills exchange workshops.
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To be eligible, organisations must be based in the borough of Stockport or deliver projects that directly benefit the Stockport community. We welcome applications from VCFSE organisations including small community groups, charities, social enterprises, and emerging grassroots initiatives.
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Local, Not-for-Profit Organisations: Registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups based in the borough of Stockport.
Projects Aligned with Our Priorities: Initiatives that promote sustainable practices or projects that create economic opportunities, like incubator stalls for local entrepreneurs.
New and Growing Ideas: Projects at the beginning stages, ready to grow with SEED support, or existing initiatives that want to expand their reach and impact in the community.
Collaborative and Impact-Driven: Organisations committed to working with others in the community and that can show measurable outcomes in environmental benefit, enterprise development, or community growth.
Clear and Practical Plans: Applicants with a clear, feasible plan for how they’ll use the SEED funding to benefit Stockport’s community now and into the future.
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Grants of £500 - £2,500 are available to apply for.
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If successful, you will receive the funding at the start of the 2025 financial year and will need to have spent the fund by the 31st March 2026.
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Wednesday 12th February 2025
Read about the successful awardees
Support with your idea
As your charity infrastructure support service in Stockport, the Sector 3 team are on hand to answer any questions about the fund and your idea.
Get in touch with the team via:
info@sector3sk.org
0161 5322150
Or pop in to see us at Merseyway Innovation Centre on a Tuesday or Thursday between 12pm - 4pm
Who are KAO Data?
Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With northern England’s largest data centre planned for Stockport, they are home to technology’s most demanding computing infrastructure.
This initiative, aimed at fostering community growth and development, coincides with the construction of Kao Data’s new industrial scale data centre in Reddish. Powered entirely by 100% certified renewable energy, Kao Data's data centre aims to set a benchmark for sustainability within the industry.
“At Kao Data, our commitment to being a good corporate citizen is woven deep into our DNA. The launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Stockport underscores our dedication to fostering sustainability, positive community action, and development projects that will support the local neighbourhood around what will be our newest data centre.”
