Crowdfund Guildford Launches New Funding Round to Support Local Projects

Published on: 16 Jun, 2022
Updated on: 16 Jun, 2022

A new crowdfunding initiative has been launched by Guildford Borough Council to help communities in Guildford to become more vibrant, resilient and connected.

Working in partnership with Spacehive, Crowdfund Guildford is a community crowdfunding platform exclusively for Guildford. It gives local communities the opportunity to pitch their ideas, big or small, to get support and funding from local people and organisations who want to see the ideas come to life.

A GBC spokesperson said: “We have allocated a total of £100,000 to the programme, with up to 50 per cent available from us per project to boost their funding target. The deadline to put forward your idea is September 28 2022.

“Alongside Spacehive, we will hold a workshop to discuss your project ideas on 13 July 12:00. To register, visit https://www.spacehive.com/movement/guildford/news

The previous round saw over £4,000 pledged by GBC towards eight community-led ideas, including Surrey Care Trust 40th Birthday Concert and Inclusive Family Send Festival.

Rachael Hurton, Inclusive Family SEND Festival said: “We are very grateful at Synergy Dance Outreach for this pledge from Guildford Council, thank you so much. We’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes to children and young people to experience inclusive and fun dance and yoga classes. These activities boost fitness, and well-being and encourage children to make new friendships.

“Our Inclusive Family SEND Festival at Guildford Spectrum will bring children and families together in a safe and supported environment to have fun, work with industry professionals and experience exciting activities to enrich their daily lives – we will encourage continuation too, as the benefits of exercise to daily life are far-reaching.”

Cllr Julia McShane

Cllr Julia McShane, Lead Councillor for Community, said: “We’re excited to launch our second Crowdfund Guildford funding round with Spacehive and I can’t wait to see the range of ideas that our communities put forward.

“Local people are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities in their local area and this model puts them and their ideas in the driving seat.

“I’m also calling on companies and organisations that care about Guildford to join us in offering support to project ideas, whether funding or in-kind, so we can turbocharge the success of locally-led campaigns.

“The more people that get involved in Crowdfund Guildford the more inspiring local places we can create together.”