£250k Boost Helps Torpoint Tech Firm Power Up Grassroots Charities

A Cornish tech-for-good company has secured a major cash boost to help small charities access digital fundraising tools once reserved for larger organisations.

Supporting Growth in Cornwall and Beyond

Torpoint-based The Kindness of Strangers Ltd has received a £250,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager The FSE Group. The funding will support the company’s expansion, enabling it to reach more volunteer-led non-profits across the region and beyond.

Founded in 2020, The Kindness of Strangers provides affordable fundraising technology designed to help smaller charities raise money more effectively. Its platform delivers access to digital tools and guidance traditionally only available to large organisations.

The company has already made significant strides, completing the development of its Cornerstone platform for the Church of England, which is now used by over 1,000 churches. It has also developed a platform with the Parish Giving Scheme, ready to be rolled out as a white-label product for charities across all sectors.

Aiming to Level the Playing Field

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 at 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.”

Growing Market for Charity Tech

The charity software market is seeing rapid growth worldwide. In 2023, it was valued at USD 4.6 billion, with forecasts suggesting it could almost double to USD 9.8 billion by 2032. This reflects a wider shift across the non-profit sector as organisations adopt digital tools to improve transparency, efficiency and engagement.

The Kindness of Strangers is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, supporting charities in building long-term financial sustainability through sector-specific digital solutions.

Backed by the South West Investment Fund

The South West Investment Fund is designed to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating opportunities for new and growing businesses across the region. It offers a range of commercial finance options, from small loans of £25,000 to equity investments of up to £5 million.

Covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as well as the wider South West, the fund helps bridge gaps in early-stage finance for smaller firms that may otherwise struggle to access investment.