Funds & Support

Please note that we particularly interested in supporting:

• Projects from less affluent communities - we only pledge to projects in areas where there is considerable need
• Projects which can demonstrate long term impact - we rarely pledge to events for this reason

We want to fund work that brings communities together and has a lasting impact on the local area and local people. We are open-minded about the type of projects that pitch to our fund but we need to see genuine support and demand from the community. This can be demonstrated in number of pledges made, support on the project page, social media or the number of people engaged in the project. We are particularly interested in supporting projects from less affluent communities where the project helps to provide spaces and opportunities for the community to come together. Examples could be opportunities to develop new skills, improve well-being, increase green space, engage with arts and culture or for different groups in the community to meet (such as older and younger people).

New friendships blossom, more vibrant places for people to meet and live, a greater sense of local pride, more connections between people, less isolation, people feel safer and more supported, people feel their voices are heard.

1. Create a project page on Spacehive outlining your idea
2. Get matched to our fund and others
3. Pitch for a pledge from funds
4. Your project will be verified to check the costs and permissions
5. Start your crowdfunding campaign
6. We'll pledge alongside the crowd - if your pitch to us is successful
7. Hit your target and deliver your project

1) Explain clearly how your project will have a long-lasting impact in the community after the project has been delivered. For example, will members of the community have more opportunities to engage with arts and culture beyond the duration of the project? 2) Explain how your project will have a positive impact on members of the community not directly involved in the project. For example, if new skills are developed will they be shared with other extended members of the community?

Please note that we particurily interested in supporting:

• Projects from less affluent communities - we only pledge to projects in areas where there is considerable need
• Projects which can demonstrate long term impact - we rarely pledge to events for this reason

We want to fund work that brings communities together and has a lasting impact on the local area and local people. We are open-minded about the type of projects that pitch to our fund but we need to see genuine support and demand from the community. This can be demonstrated in number of pledges made, support on the project page, social media or the number of people engaged in the project. We are particularly interested in supporting projects from less affluent communities where the project helps to provide spaces and opportunities for the community to come together. Examples could be opportunities to develop new skills, improve well-being, increase green space, engage with arts and culture or for different groups in the community to meet (such as older and younger people).

New friendships blossom, more vibrant places for people to meet and live, a greater sense of local pride, more connections between people, less isolation, people feel safer and more supported, people feel their voices are heard.

1. Create a project page on Spacehive outlining your idea
2. Get matched to our fund and others
3. Pitch for a pledge from funds
4. Your project will be verified to check the costs and permissions
5. Start your crowdfunding campaign
6. We'll pledge alongside the crowd - if your pitch to us is successful
7. Hit your target and deliver your project

1) Explain clearly how your project will have a long-lasting impact in the community after the project has been delivered. For example, will members of the community have more opportunities to engage with arts and culture beyond the duration of the project? 2) Explain how your project will have a positive impact on members of the community not directly involved in the project. For example, if new skills are developed will they be shared with other extended members of the community?

Creative and innovative ideas which provide opportunities for the people in your community to learn, play and be active together.

**Your project must also be taking place in one of the areas in which we work - to check if you project is eligible take a look at our locations**

It’s simple really – we want to help everyone in our local communities to benefit from playing, learning and being active together.

1. Create a project page on Spacehive outlining your idea
2. Get matched to our fund and others
3. Pitch for a pledge from funds
4. Your project will be verified to check the costs and permissions
5. Start your crowdfunding campaign
6. We'll pledge alongside the crowd - if your pitch to us is successful
7. Hit your target and deliver your project

Cash: Up to £5,000 pledged directly to your project on Spacehive. Skills: GLL Qualified Instructors & Coaches, staff time, specialist expertise to help you develop or deliver your project idea. Stuff: Use of our facilities, free activities (Swimming, Gym e.t.c), monthly membership discounts, Internal training places.

• Accessibility Projects and Improvements – i.e. making community spaces easier to access
• Turning waste space into community areas
• Improvements to Community Buildings/ resident facilities in shared spaces
• Community Art projects – Murals, Sculpture etc.
• Community Safety Projects – improvements to lighting, landscaping etc.
• Energy Efficiency initiatives
• Improvements supporting wildlife and green spaces
• Non-physical play (e.g. painted games on courtyards)
• Physical equipment in community spaces – play parks, outdoor gyms etc.
• Planting improvements - wildflowers and trees.
• Recycling projects
• Sustainable services for those with more specific needs

To be considered for Crawley Borough Council funding you must first raise 25% of your project costs. The Council may pledge up to 50% of the total project target, capped at £5,000. Read our Funding Guide here.

Projects must benefit the people of Crawley.

Priority will be given to the following:

• Helps improve the local environment and public spaces
• Helps meet the demands that development places on the need for community services and facilities within the town.
• Demonstrates added benefits for the town, e.g. using local businesses or skills of local people.

Crowdfund Crawley - Getting Started

If you’re thinking of running a crowdfunding campaign as part of the Crowdfund Crawley initiative, then take a look at the Step by Step guide for advice on creating your Project Page, Pitches and Verification before you get started.

For a Step by Step guide, click HERE

If you have an idea for a project but don't know where to start, you can fill out this expression of interest form and Spacehive will be in touch. 

For more information take a look at the Funding Guide or if you want to discuss your community project or would like information on how to set up a community group speak to your local Community Development Officer

You can also read all of Spacehive’s FAQ’s here: https://about.spacehive.com/faqs/

In General:

• A Project Page
• Evidence of costs (e.g. building work quotations, links to online shop listings, proof of in-kind/offline funds)
• Images relating to your group/ projects
• An online payment system, Spacehive use either PayPal or GoCardless. If you don’t have one of these you’ll need to create at least one.
• Social media links
• If relevant - proof of permission (e.g. event license, council agreement, landowner consent)

Specific to Crawley Neighbourhood Improvement Fund. Click HERE for Funding Guide

• Your constitution or governing documents signed and dated. This may include organisational policies such as equal opportunities and safeguarding policies
• Have a bank or building society account in the name of the group, with a minimum of two cheque signatures.
• Evidence of your organisation's legal status.
• Evidence of your financial records including annual turnover, where applicable.

You’ll also be asked about the impact of your project. The Neighbourhood Improvement fund is specifically interested in projects that:

• • Help improve the local environment and public spaces
  • Help meet the demands that development places on the need for community services and facilities within the town.
  • Demnstrate added benefits for the town, e.g. using local businesses or skills of local people.

Just so you know:

This is an all–or–nothing model, which means that if you don’t hit your target, you don’t receive any of the money raised. The benefits of this are that it helps you raise more money due to the sense of urgency it creates, it’s also less risk for everyone.

Ready to get started? Create a project.

Or take a look at our step by step guide, click HERE