Find and access funding: A community action plan
Fundraising is an essential way to begin or continue delivering great projects in your community. To help you more easily find and access funding, we’ve worked with Stir to Action to create a community action plan.
Why fundraise for community action?
- Whether it’s creating a community hub or improving local housing or services, fundraising will enable you to do more in your community.
- Many methods of fundraising provide an opportunity to build awareness and increase engagement with your organisation.
- This could also help you grow your team of volunteers – as some people may be able to give their time, rather than money, to support you.
- When people put money behind the work you’re doing, it’s real validation of your vision for change.
- Depending on what you’re doing and where you’re based, there may be match funding available to you, to make your money go further.
- Often, once you’ve raised money from one source, this can attract even more funding from other sources.
Big Local funding success stories
The action plan features real life examples of how Big Local and other community groups have successfully found and accessed funding to continue delivering lasting change in their communities.
Better Communities Bradford
Better Communities Bradford (BCB) have successfully developed a fundraising and income strategy encompassing a variety of sources, to continue the work of Greenmoor Big
Local which began in 2012.
Since working with Stir to Action on their strategy, BCB have pursued – and secured – grant funding for a number of services and activities, while obtaining contracts from the local authority for others. For example:
- BCB was awarded two rounds of grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to develop and run their sewing classes. These classes help local women acquire new skills and enable them to generate an income by providing sewing services. They also offer a safe, local environment for women to engage in social activities and conversation.
- BCB have secured contracts from Bradford Council to provide services such as day care,
allowing them to deliver essential support to residents and providing the organisation with a steady, predictable source of income.
“It’s important not to have all your eggs in one basket.”
Mazhar Ellahi, founding member of Better Communities Bradford
Are you a Big Local area looking for bespoke fundraising support?
Find out more about our fundraising offer with Stir to Action and get in touch here.
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