Crowdfunding

What is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a way of raising funds by collecting small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. It is widely used by charities, community groups, and social enterprises to support various projects and initiatives.

What can you raise money for through Crowdfunding?

Most things. For VCSE groups and organisations, this can be:

• Refurbishment of buildings
• Purchasing equipment
• Community events
• Community Trips
• Activities for children and young people
• Older people’s projects
• Food Banks
• The list is endless…

Here are some examples of successful Salford Crowdfunders:

• Eccles RFC Rugby For All Crowdfunder
• Roe Green Tennis Club - club upgrades
• Xmas presents for Salford looked after children
• Moor Lane Refurbishment - a Community crowdfunding project in Salford by Serjio Lalouche (crowdfunder.co.uk)
• Light Up Walkden - a Community crowdfunding project in Manchester by Fay (crowdfunder.co.uk)
• Boothstown Residents / Youth Cafe - a Community crowdfunding project in Manchester by Fay (crowdfunder.co.uk)
• Let's keep the Spirit of Little Hulton alive. - a Community crowdfunding project in Manchester by CommUNITY Little Hulton (crowdfunder.co.uk)
• INNIT amazing to make a difference? - a Music crowdfunding project in Salford by Ruth Langley, Treasurer (crowdfunder.co.uk)

How Can You Crowdfund?

1. Choose a Platform: Select a crowdfunding platform that aligns with your goals.
2. Set a Goal: Determine the amount of money you need to raise and set a realistic target.
3. Create a Campaign: Develop a compelling story about your project, including its purpose, impact, and how the funds will be used.
4. Promote Your Campaign: Use social media, email, and other channels to reach potential supporters.
5. Engage with your supporters: Keep your supporters updated on the progress of your campaign and show appreciation for their support.

Checklist for Crowdfunding Campaigns

• Define Your Objectives: Clearly outline what you aim to achieve with your campaign.
• Research Platforms: Compare different crowdfunding platforms to find the best fit for your project.
• Research Match Funding options: Depending on what you are raising money for, you may be able to access match funding for your project. For example, Salford Council offers match funding to crowdfunding campaigns through Crowdfunder UK. Crowdfund Salford | Crowdfunder.co.uk, and Sport England also offers match funding through this platform, Movement Fund (crowdfunder.co.uk).
• Rewards: While offering rewards is not necessary, it can increase contributions. Rewards can come in different shapes and sizes, for example, a campaign mug for £10 donations, tickets for an event you are hosting for £25, or their name on a donor's plaque for £250. You can be quite inventive with rewards, but please bear in mind that there may be additional costs to factor into the crowdfunding to pay for the rewards including postage.
• Plan Your Campaign: Develop a detailed plan, including timelines, promotional strategies, and content creation.
• Create Engaging Content: Use videos, images, and compelling stories to attract and retain supporters.
• Monitor Progress: Regularly track your campaign’s performance and adjust your promotional strategies as needed.
• Thank Your Supporters: Show gratitude to your donors through personalised messages and updates.

For more information about Crowdfunding platforms:

• Crowdfunder UK is a platform that supports various projects, including charities, community projects and start-ups. Please remember that Salford Council offers match funding to crowdfunding campaigns through this platform. Crowdfunder.co.uk | UK’s No.1 Fundraising & Crowdfunding platform
• GoFundMe is where you can do both crowdfunding for charities and individuals www.gofundme.com/
• Just Giving offers crowdfunding for your own personal cause, a person in need, clubs, schools, and communities. Crowdfunding for Good from JustGiving
• Kickstarter is most known for crowdfunding creative projects and is a rewards-based platform where supporters receive a product or service in return for funding. www.kickstarter.com/
• Salford CVS - Contact for Further Support, If you need any support and resources on crowdfunding, you can contact our Salford CVS Development Team, Tel: 0161 787 7795 Email: office@salfordcvs.co.uk