Supporting communities Funding available Sport England Crowdfunding Grant Why consider crowdfunding? Running a crowdfunding campaign isn’t only a great way to raise essential funds, but also offers many additional benefits – such as: raising the awareness of what you do in the wider community improving the understanding among current members or supporters about the financial pressure of keeping things going encouraging new members, supporters and volunteers learning skills and building confidence in areas like social media, marketing, content writing and video creation creating new connections and relationships with local businesses and experts. However, crowdfunding can be hard work, it’s sometimes a little daunting, but there is plenty of help to support you as much or as little as you need. Sport England in partnership with Crowdfunder have some fantastic, free support on hand to help you on your crowdfunding journey, including: 1-2-1 coaching by crowdfunding experts advice and guidance on campaign improvements access to online courses 1hr monthly webinars social media hints and tips. Crowdfunder have also created a handy crowdfunding guide with all the details and further information. Grant application vs. crowdfunding Crowdfunding’s not the same as traditional grant funding. It does require work to set up and successfully run a campaign, but the sense of achievement you get once a campaign is successfully delivered creates ‘added value’ beyond what’s achieved from a competitive grant application. There are also many additional benefits of running a campaign, as well as what you achieve financially. Feedback so far from other campaigns has seen these benefits include an increased number of new members, sponsorships from local businesses, a greater sense of place within the community, as well as new skills and experiences like social media, marketing and communications. How long will it take? Campaigns typically run for 28 days but take a few weeks to create – so about six weeks in total. Applications are done through the Crowdfunder site and will take minutes to complete and submit. Once received, Sport England will provide their decision on whether they will support your campaign or not within a couple of days – leaving you to focus on running your campaign. Whilst Sport England can’t fund every campaign, those that make a good case, include a video and have engaging rewards that’ll incentivise a crowd wider than just an existing membership, typically succeed. Ideally, Sport England like to receive your application before you launch your campaign, so that they can help guide you more effectively. Crowdfunding can be a great way to achieve a fundraise in a relatively short period of time, so why not give it a try? Crowdfunding grant available: Active Together A £7.5 million fund, with up to £10,000 in match funding, as part of a support package to help clubs and organisations set up and run crowdfunding campaigns related to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, as well as the emerging energy, cost of living or other local crises - such as adverse weather. This programme is a coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic recovery fund, helping sport and physical activity organisations to move forward with priority projects and running costs that they might still be struggling with. It can help with projects that cannot be afforded right now due to the impact coronavirus continues to have on an organisation's normal income streams, as well as a broader spectrum of issues that most of us now face. It is a fund about recovery, reinvention and building resilience. "It was a really good experience from start to finish. The support we got from Crowdfunder, Sport England and the community was fantastic and has enabled us to make a real difference to our community and visitors. Thank you!" - Successful campaign owner Active Together Application process What will you support? This funding option is about supporting local clubs and organisations through times of crisis and helping them with recovery, reinvention and building resilience. Sport England's match investment, of up to £10,000, aims to help organisations start to help themselves on the road to recovery. It's specifically targeted at organisations that have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship, or the ceasing of operations due to a crisis. So, your project for example could be for: facility refurbishments, maintenance or improvements* adapting your facility to ensure a safe return to play running new activity to meet demand, post-pandemic, helping your community to recover unforeseen events continuing to impact on your finances – fire, theft, vandalism or adverse weather the energy and cost of living crises – ie. changing your facility to lower your energy consumption. Please check the full eligibility and pledge criteria for 'Active Together' Application You can start your Active Together Crowdfunding application via Crowdfunder by accessing the application below Active Together Application Or please contact: Amy Griffiths Manage Cookie Preferences