Request for Proposals: DPS Social Commitment Programme (UK)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale offers an accelerator learning programme and grant funding for established organisations in England and Wales working to address the causes and consequences of homelessness. Delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in partnership with The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS), the programme supports organisations developing sustainable solutions that help people access and maintain secure housing, particularly within the private rented sector.

About the DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale is designed for established and scaling organisations working to tackle housing insecurity and homelessness.

The programme combines specialist learning, one-to-one support, peer learning, networking opportunities, and grant funding to help organisations strengthen their work and scale their impact. It focuses particularly on solutions that enable people to access or sustain secure housing and address homelessness and rough sleeping. How Much Funding Is Available?

Participating organisations can receive grant funding of up to £10,000

The funding is designed to support both the organisation’s learning journey and the development of its work tackling housing insecurity. The grant can be used flexibly to strengthen organisational capacity and support the organisation to scale its impact. What Does the Accelerator Programme Include?

Participants receive a specialist accelerator learning programme over nine months

The programme includes:

- 12 learning sessions. - One-to-one support. - A market making event. - Peer-to-peer learning opportunities. - Access to a network of social sector leaders and experts. The programme is designed to provide practical learning and support tailored to the needs of established organisations that are ready to scale. What Will Participants Learn? The accelerator curriculum focuses on helping organisations strengthen their ability to grow and sustain their social impact.

Key areas include:

- Generating income for the organisation’s mission. - Developing and testing innovative ideas. - Adapting to changing environments. - Building financial resilience. - Strengthening organisational capacity. - Scaling successful approaches and impact. Support for Sustainable Housing Solutions The programme supports organisations working to address the root causes and consequences of homelessness. Particular emphasis is placed on solutions that help people access and maintain secure housing, especially within the private rented sector. Organisations can use the learning and grant support to strengthen approaches that address housing insecurity and improve access to sustainable housing. Peer-to-Peer Learning and Expert Networks

Participants can benefit from peer-to-peer learning throughout the programme

The programme also provides access to a ready-made network of social sector leaders and experts. These connections can help participating organisations exchange knowledge, learn from other organisations, and develop their approaches to scaling impact. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to established organisations based in England or Wales.

Eligible organisations should:

- Be established rather than at an early start-up stage. - Be based in England or Wales. - Have a majority of beneficiaries in England or Wales. - Work to help people access or sustain a home. - Address homelessness or rough sleeping. - Be ready to scale their work. - Typically have an annual income likely to be above £100,000. Private Rented Sector Focus The programme has a particular interest in organisations whose work helps people access or sustain housing within the private rented sector. Applicants may also be considered where their work addresses homelessness, rough sleeping, or wider housing insecurity. The key requirement is that the organisation’s work contributes to helping people access or maintain a home or reduces homelessness and rough sleeping. Organisations Ready to Scale

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale is intended for organisations that have established work and are ready to increase their impact.

Applicants should demonstrate that they have a developed approach and are at a stage where accelerator learning, specialist support, and flexible grant funding can help them scale. Priority Communities The programme particularly welcomes applications from organisations led by and for: - Black and racially minoritised communities. - Deaf and disabled people. - Women. - LGBTQ+ communities. - People and communities in economically disadvantaged areas. These organisations are encouraged to apply where their work meets the wider programme requirements. Annual Income and Organisational Stage Applicants should be established organisations with an annual income likely to be over £100,000. The programme is focused on organisations that are already operating and are ready to scale their work rather than organisations at an initial idea stage. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate an established approach to tackling homelessness or housing insecurity and a clear opportunity to develop or expand their impact. How the Grant Can Be Used The grant funding of up to £10,000 can support both the learning journey and the development of the participating organisation’s work. The funding can be used flexibly to: - Strengthen organisational capacity. - Support the development of work tackling housing insecurity. - Help organisations make use of the accelerator learning. - Support efforts to scale impact. Programme Delivery

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale is delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in partnership with The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS).

The programme combines structured learning with practical support and funding to help established organisations strengthen their models and increase their impact. Key Facts About the DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale - Prog