Become a member

KEY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

for social enterprises

Our most valued services according to our 22/23 member survey were:

• Free advice, information and support to help your social enterprise develop
• Policy engagement and sector representation through our dedicated policy team – help us influence and shape policy
• A monthly funding bulletin jam packed with current opportunities
• The Social Enterprise Weekly bulletin highlighting social enterprise, supporter and sector news and opportunities
• A wide range of events (topical and themed) to learn, exchange knowledge, share good practice, network and connect
• Access to a rich network of public, private and third sector contacts
• Free publicity and promotion for your social enterprise, including The Social Enterprise Spotlight

KEY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

for social enterprise supporters

SES offers a unique platform for supporters to:

• Learn about Scotland’s inspiring social enterprises
• Access and engage with our extensive network of social enterprises
• Integrate social enterprises to improve and transform your supply chain
• Drive your CSR strategy and community benefits
• Build an ethical public profile
• Showcase your products and services, growing your profile and business in the sector

Join as a social enterprise (or as an emerging social enterprise member)

To join as a social enterprise member and get our “We’re a social enterprise logo” you need to meet these criteria:

• We’re a trading business – selling goods and services – but whose primary objective is to achieve social and/or environmental benefit.
• Our constitution commits to reinvesting all profits back into the social enterprise or in the beneficiary community.
• Our constitution requires that on dissolution, our assets are reinvested in another organisation with similar aims and objectives.
• We’re constituted and managed in an accountable and transparent way.
• We’re distinct from the public sector and are not a subsidiary of a public body.

For emerging social enterprises, you can join under the following categories:

• Start Up (for new social enterprises who are working towards an appropriate legal structure, who aim to meet our Social Enterprise Member criteria above and membership of Social Enterprise Scotland will help their development)
• Transitioning (for existing organisations who are looking to become a social enterprise)
• Social Entrepreneurs (for individuals operating as sole traders and who are committed to trading primarily with a social and/or environment objective and to reinvesting profits into their organisation)

Take a look at our annual membership fees for 2023-24.

Join as a social enterprise supporter

Social enterprise allies and supporters are very important to us and to our social enterprise community.

Our Supporter Members come in different shapes and sizes – local authorities and other public bodies, private sector businesses, third sector organisations, other intermediary support/umbrella organisations, and academic institutions – who believe in the value and impact of the social enterprise sector in Scotland.

Social Enterprise Scotland can help Supporter Members connect with social enterprises, to help them develop programmes to support the social enterprise sector or by advising them on how to get more social enterprises into their supply chains.

Perhaps you could offer support to the sector? Can you provide (non-financial) expertise to social enterprises by utilising your skills and knowledge to support our members who might be looking for support in areas like Finance, Marketing, Media and much more.

Become a member and demonstrate your support for our diverse and inclusive social enterprise movement, you’ll also get our exclusive “We’re a social enterprise supporter” logo.

Social enterprise is a worldwide movement in which Scotland is proud to have a prominent place, join us and be part of that growing community.

Take a look at our annual membership fees for 2023-24.