Fundraising & Donations
CFCS received over £5,000.00 from fundraising events and donations over our first 3 years. The amount has been raised from sources such as cheques from residents, support from local businesses, and various fundraising events.
This vital funding has not only helped us achieve so many goals, it has strengthened our commitment to enhancing our community spirit.
Fundraising Events
The good ‘old fashioned’ staple of any community are fundraising events such as cake stalls, jumble sales, sporting events/games, food tastings, which are always welcome in any community! These do involve a lot of willingness and commitment (usually by a core team of stalwart fund raisers in your community) and generate relatively low levels of funding.
However these events should not be dismissed simply on a financial basis. They are a great way of raising awareness, strengthening community engagement with your plans, AND attracting volunteers for your shop! Once people are involved at ‘grass roots’ level, it is not unusual for their next question will be “what more can I do/what’s next?"
Think about your community
What kind of event would get them excited about your new business? What is the skill set available (e.g. cake baking/sports) that you feel would apply to get people involved?
Establish a Steering Committee
This should include at least one member of the overall shop planning team if possible.
Set a target
What is a realistic amount you aim to raise? Is there a certain amount for a specific item you would like in the shop (e.g. disabled access ramp/coffee machine for customers). Think about your pricing too – some of your attendees may be able to spend a lot, where others may be able to spend very little. Remember those younger members of the community with pocket money to spend!
Set a budget
Try your best to stick to it (include 15% contingency, for any last minute expenses).
Target your audience
Use marketing to reach them (try posters, flyers, social media posts, a mention in the local newspaper or website, as well as plenty of word of mouth!)
Invite potential shop suppliers
Use the event as a way of building interest with suppliers and getting them on board with your vision.
Contingency plan
In case of bad weather for a planned outdoor event, try to secure an indoor space that could be used free of charge e.g. village hall or local school.
Be available
Your Steering Committee members should be present on the day to chat to attendees, thank them for coming, and share plans for your community shop.
Thank everyone
Those who contributed with planning and executing the event, and everyone who attended! Social media messages, homemade posters or an informal ‘speech’ at the event itself, all go a long way to make your community continue to feel involved.
Crowdfunding
In a nutshell, Crowdfunding is the use of an online platform that allows people to donate capital to your business while you’re starting up. This is becoming a popular means of fund raising, however it is important to note that some platforms require you to reach your funding target before the pledge is confirmed ‑ and once reached they will take a small amount of commission (usually around 5 per cent). Therefore, it’s beneficial to set your target a little higher than you might initially estimate.
Crowdfunder
The most well-known crowdfunding platform, Crowdfunder can help you build a successful crowdfunding campaign. Try to create a buzz about your venture by writing an engaging ‘story’ for your page, using eye-catching images. Crowdfunding campaigns which incorporate videos are also much more likely to reach their targets, as videos are inspiring, easy to understand and shared widely on social media, so consider this when developing your campaign. This may be a project for some of the younger members of your community to tackle and will get them involved from the outset with the project.
Spacehive
The world’s first crowd-funding platform for civic projects, Spacehive was created to generate funds for projects aimed at improving local services. Their site has many links to local councils and existing charities that may fund your project. Again, one for the teenage to 20’s age group in your community.
Don’t forget those invaluable fundraisers in your community!
There are many other sources of local support from other organisations - a further £845.00 in donations from the local branches of The Rotary Club and The Lions was received by CFCS and relationships were strengthened within the community by reaching out.
As you progress with a successful shop, you will be able to clearly identify where and how these donations are put to best use - you can communicate these ‘goals’ with your local community and customer base through conversations, meetings and the chalkboard in your thriving shop!
