Projects need to apply by the funding round deadline so that the council can review the projects and decide which ones they want to support. 

• Funding round deadline: 9 July 2026 

• Council assessment: Mid October 2026

Join us for our next project creator workshop to find out more and learn how you can start a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive:

• Online workshop: Thursday 9 July 1-2pm

• Register for your free place here

1) Create a project page
Head to spacehive.com/create to get started.
You’ll need to register for an account and share your project idea. 

2) Apply for council funds
The Spacehive platform will match you to the council funds available through the programme based on your project location. Here you will need to answer some questions from the council regarding your project. 

3) Get your project verified

Before you can start crowdfunding, your project is checked to ensure all of the necessary permissions and governance are in place. You will need to supply quotes for the main cost items in your project budget. See the help centre here for verification guidance. Remember to add any pre-campaign funds to demonstrate existing support to the project, see the help centre here for guidance.

4) Start crowdfunding
Once your crowdfunding campaign is launched on the Spacehive platform, start raising funds to demonstrate local support. A typical crowdfunding campaign runs for 6-12 weeks. Spacehive offers guidance here to help you achieve your crowdfunding target. If you are successful in receiving a council donation, it will be added to your crowdfunding campaign.

5) Hit your target and deliver your project
Projects must hit their crowdfunding target in order to receive the council donation. Once you hit your crowdfunding target, you’ll receive your funds within a few weeks and you can start delivering your project.

6) Deliver and complete an impact report

Once crowdfunding is complete, deliver your project within six months and complete an impact report on Spacehive. This is mandatory and shares your success with backers and the council.

Support

• For detailed guidance on each step, visit the Spacehive Help Centre

• For any additional questions, please contact Spacehive [email protected]

• For local council support, please contact: [email protected]

Community Transition Fund 

• Funding available: £30,000 total (£17,000 remaining)
• Maximum contribution: Up to £5,000 or 40% of total project costs (match funding required)

What We're Looking For

Sefton Council is seeking projects that align with its 2030 Vision and support one or more of the following priorities:

• Protect vulnerable people and communities.
• Build confident, resilient, and connected communities.
• Improve community safety.
• Encourage local participation, volunteering, and community pride.
• Support education, skills development, and economic prosperity.
• Tackle climate change and improve the local environment and biodiversity.
• Empower local people to take positive action on environmental and climate issues.

Reas more information on the fund fact sheet here

These organisations are eligible to pitch to the Sefton Crowd:

• Community Interest Company

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation

• Company Limited by Guarantee

• Social Enterprise

• Registered charity

• Public body which delivers or hosts community projects 

• Constituted body

The following organisations are not eligible to pitch: 

• Private-held Company ie Businesses including SMEs, or any other profit-making organisation 

• Individuals acting in a personal or provocative capacity

Sefton Crowd gives residents with project ideas the ability to attract funding from their communities, the council, local businesses and foundations - all through one portal. The programme brings people across the borough together through locally-led ideas that our communities want to help make happen. You can pledge as little as £2 towards a project you want to bring to life. 

Check out projects fundraising now as part of Sefton Crowd here. To keep updated on new projects, upcoming events and funding opportunities, please contact [email protected] or click the yellow 'Follow' star at the top right of the page.