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The Kindred Model

Most social investment funds have been designed by former bankers – albeit good and honest former bankers – who think there must be a better way. But system change, by the people who designed (or benefit from) an existing system, is prone to being incremental, not transformational.

150 activists, artists, entrepreneurs, animators, community developers, outsiders and collaborators designed Kindred. People who are having a go at making a living – building a business, with a purpose, or a passion. Pioneers of a new, kinder and more inclusive, economy.

We imagined what money and a support structure would look like if we ran it. Those conversations shaped Kindred’s offer of money at 0%, that is patient and flexible, with payback in costed social as well as financial returns.

So how does that work?

• Kindred starts with an invitation; to come along or have a go.
• We don’t demand business plans or feasibility studies to be written first, because we aren’t looking for the best bid writers or mathematicians.
• We invite action, to try things out and show what’s possible – to ourselves as much as anyone else.
• We encourage ideas to start small with one, or two. If two work, so might 22, or 2,000. 
• We invest incrementally in what works.
• We get people involved through events, roadshows, social media and local press. We ask people to invite their friends, families, neighbours and haters.
• And we share stories of local and social innovation. Stories from our pasts, and our futures.

There is no need to select, or judge, or ask people in communities to compete against each other. Economies need collaborators, not competitors. And action is the best selection process you could wish for. 

Where there are affordable spaces to gather and grow, STOs collaborate. That’s an inclusive economy.

If you want to be a Kindred Spirit – as an investor or a place-based changemaker – get in touch. We can’t help for free, but we can promise to leave you equipped to run your own, local, version of Kindred – and that’s the best value.

Click here to download our easy read booklet which explains more about the Kindred model…