Cheshire East Council

By pledging to projects through the Cheshire East Crowd, we aim to support the development of local projects that will improve the quality of life for local communities, generate a significant amount of community activity and an all round positive impact.

To pitch for funding through the Cheshire East Crowd, we're looking for projects that:
- Are based in or will benefit the residents of Cheshire East
- That meet the intended outcomes of the fund
- Are put forward by a constituted group / organisation (individuals are welcome to crowdfund on Spacehive, but are not eligible for this fund)
- Demonstrate a passion to make a difference within the local community

Funding will be pledged where organisations can:
- demonstrate a required need and significant local support in the form of backers to your live crowdfunding campaign
- demonstrate that a defined impact will be made through their project or activity and that clear outcomes can be achieved.

We will be unable to pledge funds towards: 
- Projects which promote a political party or are of a religious nature 
- Any costs incurred in putting together an application for this fund 
- Work associated with land or building projects where the ownership or lease is not in place 
- Projects/initiatives that cannot demonstrate sustainability after the ideas stage 
- Items that are purchased on behalf of another organisation.
- Work which has already taken place and been paid for.
- Projects taking place abroad

We want to see projects come forward that:

Tackle climate change:
• Reduce carbon emissions (eg from buildings, travel, food and waste ) 
• Capture carbon through tree planting and improved green spaces for nature and the community.
• Protect people and the environment from the effects of climate change 
• Help communities to take action against climate change through sustainable energy projects and travel 
 
Improve our neighbourhoods:
• Provide opportunities for young people 
• Tackle unemployment
• To reduce crime and antisocial behaviour
• Reduces health inequalities and/or to reduce poverty
• Improve the heritage and culture of our neighbourhoods

Connect people:
• Provide spaces and places for people to connect and/or to promote community cohesion
• Increase support to vulnerable individuals and families
• Improve physical and/or mental wellbeing 

1.    SHARE YOUR IDEA + ATTEND A WORKSHOP
Complete our Project Idea Form as soon as possible to tell us about your project idea and knowledge of crowdfunding.
 
2.    PROJECT PAGE AND PITCH BY 15TH SEPTEMBER
Create your project page on Spacehive which will match you to relevant funds.

3.    VERIFICATION
The project costs and necessary permissions will be checked by Spacehive's verifiers. This involves checking quotes for all the major items and if you have permission for your project.

4.    CROWDFUNDING
Run your crowdfunding campaign between September and December. Start by getting lots of small pledges from the community to show local support for your project. Note that the council will not be the first organisation to pledge to your project and will first want to see community support and backing, in the form of smaller pledges from local people before deciding if and how much to pledge.

The Spacehive team is on hand to share lots of advice on how to run a brilliant crowdfunding campaign.

5.    PLEDGE
The council will review all project campaigns typically 6 weeks after the fund deadline - so the sooner you start crowdfunding the better! If your pitch is successful, you can expect to receive a pledge of up to £10,000 / max 50% of your target.

6. HIT YOUR TARGET AND DELIVER YOUR PROJECT 

To learn more about crowdfunding on Spacehive, visit the Help Centre. 

For any additional questions, please contact Spacehive on support@spacehive.com.