'Tech-for-good' enterprise, The Kindness of Strangers Ltd, has secured a £250,000 loan from The British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group, to support the growth of the business.  

The Kindness of Strangers offers tailored, cost-effective fundraising solutions designed to level the playing field for smaller, volunteer-run non-profit organisations. By providing access to technology and guidance previously only affordable to larger charities, the business is helping to transform the fundraising landscape for grassroots causes. 

FSE has been working with The Kindness of Strangers since 2023 when it provided equity investment from the British Business Bank's Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund. Since then, the business has completed the development of its platform for the Church of England, Cornerstone, which is now being used by over 1000 churches. It has also developed a platform with the Parish Giving Scheme, which is now ready to be rolled out as a white-label product to small charities across all sectors. 

Mathew Neville, CEO of The Kindness of Strangers, said: "This new funding is a vital catalyst for our next phase of growth. It will enable us to expand our team and amplify our marketing efforts, ensuring that more small charities gain access to the technology and support they need. As a young business that has focused heavily on technology development, traditional high-street lending isn’t a viable option. This South West Investment Fund loan provides the crucial financial backing to accelerate our mission." 

Rob Ward, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: "The Kindness of Strangers has demonstrated impressive progress in developing platforms that truly address the needs of the non-profit sector. This loan will empower the business to scale its operations, strengthen internal capacity, and fully capitalise on the exciting opportunities ahead. We’re proud to support a company that is making technology accessible to smaller charities and helping them thrive." 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank said: "This £250,000 South West Investment Fund loan, building on earlier support via our Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund, will help The Kindness of Strangers scale a platform that has harnessed technology to provide smaller non-profits with the tools they need to fundraise effectively. That in turn can help these charities have a hugely positive impact on their communities." 

In 2023, the global charity software market was valued at approximately USD 4.6 billion, with forecasts suggesting it could nearly double to USD 9.8 billion by 20321. This growth reflects a wider shift across the non-profit sector, where organisations are embracing digital tools to improve transparency, efficiency, and engagement. As the non-profit sector continues to expand its reach and impact, the need for scalable, tech-driven infrastructure is seen as increasingly vital, driving sustained demand for charity software worldwide. 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.