See here for more information on the fund criteria.
Projects should contribute to the following:
Supporting community action in Kent particularly activities that are focused on supporting people who are facing financial difficulties or who are isolated as a result of Covid.This could for example be projects that support people experiencing food and fuel poverty or supporting those population groups who have been particularly impacted by Covid.
Supporting community assets and venues in Kent, that contribute to our local communities and local connections, improving wellbeing. This could include but is not limited to community venues and spaces, that support community activities, sports and the arts and cultural offer.
Helping to maintain the volunteering offer/social action we have seen during the pandemic post Covid 19. This could for example be support to volunteer led organisations working to improve their local area, or those who support and co-ordinate volunteers across the County with an emphasis on growing volunteering across Kent.
We will not be looking to support projects that :
- support private interests or profit making organisations.
- exclude any particular groups in society or those with protected characteristics.
- from political groups.
-that are part of a campaign or promote particular religions/faiths/political ideologies not considered to be inclusive
We are not able to match fund Statutory provision, Local Authority teams or Council projects.
CrowdFund Kent has been designed to specifically provide funding of up to £15,000, or a maximum of 50% of an organisation’s crowdfunding target, (we may consider increasing this to 65% for projects in deprived areas). Where multiple Kent County Council funds have been used to support the same campaign, the combined value of the fudns cannot be higher than 65% of the total campaign target.
See here for more information on the fund criteria, the key objectives of the fund and who can apply.
This funding is focused on community activities and is not intended to support industries in recovering post Covid.
Crowdfund Kent is focused on giving local organisations and groups the opportunity to take forward projects and ideas to improve their local area. We have seen an incredible response from our communities over the last year and we know the importance of those local connections and groups to improving resilience and wellbeing.
As we start to emerge from the crisis, we hope this programme and the associated funding will enable recovery to be locally led and provide that much needed support to the innovation driven by local groups and networks, which make our communities.
Crowdfund Kent opperates two funding rounds a year. See here for a breakdown of the current round and associated timeline.
1. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST/ ATTEND A WORKSHOP
Complete our Expression of Interest Form as soon as possible to inform us of your project idea and knowledge of crowdfunding.
2. PROJECT PAGE AND PITCH
Create your project page on Spacehive which will match you to the Crowdfund Kent fund.
3. VERIFICATION
The project costs and necessary permissions will be checked and verified. This involves checking quotes for all the major items and if you have landowner permission for your project.
4. CROWDFUNDING
Begin your crowdfunding campaign. Start by getting lots of small pledges from the community to show local support for your project. This will help unlock bigger pledges.
5. PLEDGE
The council will review all project campaigns usually a month after the campaign start. Successful projects can expect to receive a pledge of up to £15,000/ 50% of your target.
6. HIT YOUR TARGET AND DELIVER YOUR PROJECT
Funds are usually released 10 working days after you have reached your target.
Your project must be of benefit to the wider community.
Your group must be constituted in some way, have a group bank account (requiring two signatures) and generally be a not-for-profit organisation designed to deliver benefit to the community (and not designed to create a profit/dividends for shareholders). CICs (Community Interest Companies and CIO (Community Interest Organisations) are deemed eligible as their activities generate revenue which in turn fund activities that deliver community benefit.
Projects must benefit Kent (KCC area) residents and priority will be offered to Kent led organisations.
Projects must contribute to improving places, spaces or residents’ quality of lives.
Projects should demonstrate creativity / innovation.
What can't we fund:
Individuals are not eligible for this fund.
Projects supporting private interests / profit making organisations.
Projects excluding any particular groups in society or those with protected characteristics.
Proposals from political groups.
Projects that are part of a campaign or promote particular religions/faiths/political ideologies not considered to be inclusive
We are not able to match fund Statutory provision, Local Authority teams or Council projects.
District and parish councils cannot directly apply for funding but can officially partner with a local community group who would apply for the funding. The district and parish council can offer support and can be involved in the delivery of the project but the community group must lead on the project.
Schools can apply for funding once the project has wider community benifits and provides access to the wider community.
We cannot fund the purchasing of property and buildings or the building of extensions to existing premises. We can however, make contributions to adaptations, refurbishment and improvements to properties once purchased or built, where there is a tangible community benefit from the proposed improvements. KCC reserves the right to review all project costs and make decisions on a case by case basis.
