How to crowdfund for your community project

Tuesday 31 March, 6 to 7.30pm
Online
Members £10/ Non-members £30 

What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a short-form, online fundraising activity, typically run over a 4-week period, that invites financial support from a wide range of people and organisations. A crowdfunding campaign centres on a single online page where a community group can share its story, explain what it needs funding for and invite people to get involved.

Successful crowdfunding relies on three key things; a compelling story, a clearly identified community of supporters and a simple marketing plan to keep the campaign visible and active throughout its duration.

Communities are particularly well placed to succeed with crowdfunding because they are rooted in place and people. Supporters are often motivated by a mix of emotional connection, local pride and practical benefit, whether that’s keeping a valued space open, improving facilities, or securing its future for the next generation.

Why crowdfunding?
Many community groups across the UK face a familiar challenge: a lack of accessible funding to support projects, repairs, upgrades, growth, or long-term sustainability. Traditional grant funding is increasingly competitive and often restricted, while loans are not always appropriate for spaces with limited or unpredictable income.

Crowdfunding offers an alternative. It is a collaborative and transparent way to raise money that happens in public, not behind closed doors. Rather than writing a single application, a community can invite its users, neighbours, partners and supporters to back a shared vision.

But crowdfunding is about more than just money. For community spaces, it can also help to:

• Tell the story of the space and its impact
• Reconnect with existing users and reach new ones
• Demonstrate local support and demand
• Build confidence, pride and momentum around the space
• Test new ideas, activities or income streams
• Strengthen relationships with partners and funders
• Raise the profile of the space locally and beyond

Platforms such as Crowdfunder UK enable collaborative finance by hosting match-funding opportunities from local authorities, trusts, corporates, and other funders specifically looking to support community-led projects.

What’s covered in the webinar?

• An introduction to crowdfunding and whether it’s right for your community organisation
• Examples of successful community campaigns
• How to plan, create and run a crowdfunding campaign
• A practical guide to using AI to save time and improve your campaign
• Match funding opportunities and how to apply for them
• Live Q&A

BOOK YOUR PLACE 

REGISTER HERE How to crowdfund for your community project

Depending on your membership status, you will pay the full amount or a discounted rate. Once you have completed this registration form, please arrange payment. Your place on the course will not be confirmed until payment is received. You will be notified by email when we have received your payment. PLEASE NOTE: We do this manually by checking our bank account, so the response won’t be instant.) 

BANK TRANSFER
Pay by Bank Transfer to Cheshire Community Council, Account no: 50010626 Sort Code: 20-20-46
*Please quote the name of your organisation as the reference*  

CHEQUE
Please make Cheques payable to Cheshire Community Action. 

About the trainer

Bertie Herrtage is the founder of The Crowdfunding Coach, supporting small charities, social enterprises, community organisations and businesses to run successful crowdfunding campaigns. He has coached over 900 projects, including many village halls, helping them raise over £10 million between them. Bertie was the Senior Coach at Crowdfunder UK for 5 years and is the author of the crowdfunded magazine Crowdfunder Stories and director of its 10-part YouTube series. 

You can watch a film he made about Knoydart Village Hall here. 

https://www.thecrowdfundingcoach.org/ 

Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to attend the training session, please get in touch with becky.whitmore@cheshireaction.org.uk immediately. Bookings cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice or ‘no shows’ will be charged at the full price advertised.