The crowdfunding pledges and grants we provide make a real difference to people and communities across England.
In 2023 we assisted over a thousand projects across the country through awards totalling over £10 million, and supported even more through crowdfunding thanks to contributions from individuals, businesses and groups who want to support local community sports projects.
The effects of these projects are being felt in many ways:
This Girl’s Ability is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing sports and creative opportunities for girls and young women with disabilities in London and Essex.
Their activities aim to combat loneliness, promote mental and physical wellbeing, and ensure equal access to sports.
Facing increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic and rising living costs, they turned to crowdfunding for support.
With £9,370 raised from 89 supporters, including £4,500 from us.
Nikki Fairbairn, co-founder of This Girl’s Ability, credits the campaign's success to Crowdfunder's user-friendly platform and strategic marketing efforts.
Support from comedian Rosie Jones and local media amplified their cause, fostering community engagement and donations.
The impact? Improved access to sports for disabled girls and young women, fostering friendships and community integration.
Recent initiatives, like attending a West Ham United Women’s match, showcase the positive outcomes of their work.
The funding from us enabled This Girl’s Ability to purchase specialist equipment and sustain popular sessions.
Nikki is grateful to supporters and advises future crowdfunders to leverage community networks and offer enticing rewards.
Their journey highlights the power of grassroots initiatives and community support in creating inclusive opportunities for all.
Luton Town & Indians Cricket Club (LTICC), known for its inclusive ethos, faced financial strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Run by volunteers, the club serves as a social hub for Luton - hosting various groups and events.
The pandemic severely impacted their income, mostly derived from matches and events.
Facing a £20,000 deficit, they launched a crowdfunding campaign to improve junior, girls and disability cricket.
Their campaign, supported by 147 donors, raised £21,155, including a £10,000 boost from our Return to Play fund.
Chairman Bhoja Karavadra highlighted the community's generosity and the campaign's success in raising awareness.
"It made an amazing difference to our plans," he said.
"If the Sport England funding wasn’t available, then we would have only raised £10,000, which wouldn’t have been enough for what we wanted to do.
"Without it, we would have had to put our plans on hold for two or three years. It was 100% an amazing cash injection for our club."
The extra funding allowed LTICC to progress their plans promptly, including purchasing equipment and hiring specialist coaches.
Bhoja recommended leveraging community networks and media exposure for successful crowdfunding.
The Chinley, Buxworth and Brownside Community Association plays a crucial role in meeting the social and recreational needs of the local parish.
Their Chinley and Buxworth Community Centre has long been a cherished gathering place for residents and neighbouring communities alike.
Despite its popularity, the centre's infrastructure had aged significantly, prompting the association to launch a crowdfunding campaign for its rebuild.
Spearheaded by Sam from the association, the campaign proved instrumental in rallying community support and securing vital funds, including a £7,500 contribution from us.
The campaign's success, achieving its initial target and raising a grand total of £31,782, underscores the unwavering commitment of the community.
Sam stressed the importance of thorough planning and a strategic blend of online and offline engagement, citing creative rewards and traditional promotion methods such as posters and leaflets as key drivers of success.
Reflecting on their journey, the association encouraged others to allocate sufficient time for campaign setup and outreach, emphasising the need to engage both digital and non-digital communities effectively.
They also highlight the power of visual storytelling, exemplified by their fundraising tree, in conveying community solidarity and igniting further support.