Crowdfund Shropshire is open 

Shropshire Council has launched a £150,000 fund to make it easier for people in the county to improve their local area, to a room packed full of representatives from the voluntary and community sector at Wem Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday 11 October 2023). 

Crowdfund Shropshire logo

Named Crowdfund Shropshire, the programme, which is being run in partnership with the community fundraising platform, Spacehive, will enable local residents across the county to exclusively access funding for community improvement initiatives.  

The crowdfunding nature of this programme, in collaboration with council funding, maximises the amount campaigners can raise in order to deliver transformational community projects that matter to them.  

Crowdfund Shropshire launches at Wem Town Hall on Wednesday 11 October 2023

Speaking at the launch event, Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:-  

“I’m so pleased to be able to say that our first funding round is open, and we can’t wait to hear all about your ideas to transform the places where you live. 

“You know what’s needed, and we just need to help you to do it.” 

Shropshire’s Shared Prosperity Community Fund has been made possible due to funding under the Communities and Place theme of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Shropshire Council.  

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the Government’s levelling up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.   

The launch marks the start of the first funding round, and this will remain open until Wednesday 29 November 2023. 

Those who have a project ready to go are encouraged to launch them on the Spacehive platform and pitch to the available funds, but the council, working with Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership and Spacehive, are offering further support to those who have an idea, but aren’t sure how to proceed.  

No fundraising experience is necessary: 65% of Spacehive creators are creating a community project for the first time. Spacehive assists project creators with online workshops, one-to-one support and resources, providing advice on everything from project costs to campaign promotion.  

There will also be a number of face-to-face workshops next month led by Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership’s voluntary and community sector support team, and everyone is welcome.  

These include: 

• Tuesday 7 November at 9.30am at The Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury. 
• Monday 13 November at 9.30am at Ludlow Women’s Centre.  
• Tuesday 21 November at 9.30am at Ellesmere Town Hall. 

Lezley added:- 

“If you have an idea, but you’re not sure how to progress it, please seek support from Spacehive. We can help you to focus your thoughts and suggest what is most likely to capture the imagination of the crowd. 

“This is just the beginning – please shout it from the rooftops.” 

Nicola McPherson, Co Chair of the VCS Assembly, said:

“If you weren’t able to attend the event please do try to find the time to explore Crowdfund Shropshire. The recording of the event will be shared through the Shropshire VCS Assembly. You can join the VCS Assembly free of charge to continue to receive updates. This new approach could work for you now or in the future.”

For more information, people can visit Crowdfund Shropshire here: Crowdfund Shropshire – About (spacehive.com) 

Or contact:  

partner@spacehive.com or crowdfund@shropshire.gov.uk  

A second round of funding will open in the New Year. 

About Spacehive  

The home of community fundraising, Spacehive makes it easy for people to improve their local area.   

Spacehive build technology to help crowdfund local projects that communities want; from spruced up playgrounds and new street markets, to city farms and learning hubs. They have helped fund over 2,000 ideas and raised more than £30 million to support local communities.  

When local communities have an idea and start a project, Spacehive connects it to exclusive funds from companies, councils and foundations that want to help bring communities to life.  

Spacehive have the highest success rate of any crowdfunding platform in the UK (85% success rate, rising to 94% when a partner pledges). Its aim is to deliver the bright, transformational local project ideas that make communities happy, proud and prosperous.  

For more information visit spacehive.com