Crowdfunding boost for Wall Heath in Bloom
Wall Heath in Bloom has become the first community organisation to secure funding through Crowdfund Dudley Borough.
Dudley Council and Spacehive co-ordinate the £480,000 funding pot which provides support to community projects across the borough.
The Crowdfund Dudley Borough platform offers a unique opportunity for local projects to access funding through public pledges and community support. Projects create a funding page and invite backers. Once they hit a certain amount of community pledges, the council assesses the project’s viability and if approved provides the remaining funding, usually between 50% and 80%.
The successful bid comes on the back of news that to encourage uptake before the end of the financial year, the UKSPF contribution rate will increase from 60% to 80% of total project cost and the previous maximum reward cap of £20,000 will be removed.
Councillor Paul Bradley, cabinet member for economic delivery, said:
“I am thrilled to announce pledge funding for Wall Heath in Bloom, the first community organisation that has successfully raised the funds it needs through the Crowdfund Dudley Borough pilot programme. This marks a significant milestone in the council’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and enhancing community-led projects.
“There are currently eight community-led projects crowdfunding through Crowdfund Dudley Borough, with more to come. These community-led projects exemplify the spirit of community collaboration and creativity that Dudley Council is dedicated to fostering. I encourage more community organisations to take advantage of this opportunity and pitch their ideas for a pledge.”
Crowdfund Dudley Borough has received £200,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and £287,000 from The Dudley Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Dudley Council’s pledge funding will enable these community-driven projects to gain the momentum they need to move forward. The support from the council demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing grassroots community projects that address local needs.
Dudley Council encourages more community organisations to bring forward their innovative ideas and projects and register on Crowdfund Dudley Borough. Whether enhancing green and town centre spaces, supporting young people’s ideas and ambitions, helping to reduce inequality, addressing isolation or improving access to the arts, Dudley Council is eager to see more local initiatives thrive.
To register a community project, begin crowdfunding and apply for a pledge from Dudley Council, visit www.spacehive.com/movement/dudley and submit a project proposal. Detailed guidelines and support are available on the Spacehive platform to help with the application process.
Contact Information
Dudley Council
Notes to editors
- Crowdfund Dudley Borough, provided by Dudley Council in partnership with Spacehive Limited, allows constituted community organisations and groups to put forward community-led projects and attract funding to make the borough more vibrant, resilient and connected. Crowdfund Dudley Borough publicly launched on the 4 June 2024.
- Community-led projects raising funds through Crowdfund Dudley Borough can be viewed at https://www.spacehive.com/movement/dudley/projects
- Crowdfund Dudley Borough social media hashtags #CrowdfundDudleyBorough #UKSPF
- The UK Shared Prosperity 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. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
- About Spacehive. The home of community fundraising, Spacehive makes it easy for people to improve their local area. We build technology to help crowdfund local projects that communities want; from spruced up playgrounds and new street markets, to city farms and learning hubs. We 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. We have the highest success rate of any crowdfunding platform in the UK (85% success rate, rising to 94% when a partner pledges). Spacehive helps deliver transformational local ideas that make communities happy, proud and prosperous. For more information visit spacehive.com
Projects currently crowdfunding:
- Team Pumpkin ABC is raising funds for a minibus that will allow many children the chance to travel around the country and opportunities they may not have previously been offered. This will help with both their Mental and Physical Health. Giving them chance to see many places and make life long lasting memories and friendships.
- Wall Heath in Bloom is raising funds for mobile watering equipment to help volunteers water safely and to further improve the area, making the area vibrant and pleasant for all to enjoy.
- Halesowen BID is raising funds for Halesowen Christmas Lights to help to put Halesowen on the map and stand out from other town centres. Increasing footfall to the town centre, supporting local businesses by boosting the local economy.
- The Fine Collective CIC is raising funds to provide opportunities for two groups to connect with nature in order to boost both their physical and mental wellbeing but also create a sustained relationship with the natural world.
- CReART Collective CIC is raising funds to offer free high-quality music education, including piano, guitar, and sound recording lessons. This project is designed to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering their musical talents and promoting cultural diversity.
- Riverside House Stourbridge are fundraising for an architect and a team to get a beautiful community Heritage Visitor Centre ready for construction, helping to transform the historic heart of Stourbridge.
- The What? Centre counselling service for children, young people and families based in Stourbridge is raising funds to improve the look of the building and make it comfy and warm, and then cool in the summer for those that need to use the service.
- Fashion, Talent & Black History CIC is raising funds to deliver history related activities through fashion, dance, drama and music within the local community.