CrowdFund Leicester is all about connecting people, communities, businesses and resources to ideas that will make our City an even better place to live, work visit and study.
I want to fund activities, initiatives and projects that can make a real difference to the quality of life for some of our communities in Leicester, particularly underserved communities that are usually considered “hard to reach” or “difficult to engage”. I want to support innovative projects, addressing a genuine need that isn't being met in other ways.
I'd like to hear from those who can help achieve the vision of a city with a sense of shared identity, common purpose and civic responsibility; that can help refresh and renew the Council's relations with the Voluntary and Community Sector; projects that can help make Leicester a welcoming and accepting place for new and emerging communities and enable flexible, imaginative and innovative responses to challenges and opportunities facing the Council, citizens and communities of Leicester.
Individuals are not eligible for this fund but can partner with an organisation to be eligible.
Please note
- In general food banks are not a good fit for the programme as there are other departments within the council where more relevant support and funding can be offered.
- Projects for standalone statues are not eligible for the fund but if there are additional community engagement elements such as workshops with local school children explaining the importance of the statute, then the Community Engagement fund could be relevant.
To be considered for a pledge from the Community Engagement Fund, projects must demonstrate how the idea isn't being met in any other way and how it will address the general aims of the Public Sector Equality Duty,where certain groups of people with protected characteristics are protected. We have included a list of these characteristics below.
We would suggest that you go through the list and think about how each group might benefit from your project .
age
disability
gender reassignment
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation
Please note that the elevation of poverty is not enough here - one of the protected characteristics as per the Public Sector Equality Duty must be focused on.
Examples might include:
A community garden project to widen paths and add ramps, giving access to wheelchair users (discriminated against because of their disability).
Setting up boxing sessions for young girls who may have previously felt excluded from the sport (felt excluded because of their sex and religion).
Pledges will only be made to projects that will be delivered by a constituted organisation. If you are an individual and have an idea you will need to join or form an organisation to develop and share your proposal. Help can be provided with this where necessary.
Types of suitable organisations can include:
Charitable incorporated organisation;
Community interest company;
Company limited by guarantee;
Registered charity;
Trust;
Unincorporated association.
The organisation will be required to:
Enter into a contractual agreement with Leicester City Council;
Provide bank details;
Provide charity or company number, if relevant;
Deliver the project.
* General note
Food Banks - In general food banks are not a good fit for the programme as there are other departments within the council where more relevant support and funding can be offered. Please email crowdfundleicester@leicester.gov.uk to be put in contact with them.
Statutes - Projects for standalone statutes are not eligible for the fund but if there are additional community
engagement elements such as workshops with local school children explaining the importance of
the statute, then the Community Engagement fund could be relevant.
Any questions or concerns, complete an expression of interest form and tell us a little more about your project so we can support you with the next steps.
I was first elected as City Mayor in 2011, re-elected in 2015, 2019 and for a fourth time in 2023. During this time I have been working hard to make Leicester a confident, vibrant city where people are proud to live, study, work or visit.
CrowdFund Leicester helps local groups and organisations to come together to liven up and improve our civic spaces, helping turn innovative and exciting ideas into practical reality.