There are lots of ways to fund a community group – if you search online, the ideas and opportunities can seem overwhelming!
That’s why we’re pulling together essential advice, relevant examples, and the most useful links for community groups in Wales who are caring for their local environments.
Before you start fundraising, you need to get organised.
Your volunteer group will need to have a constitution – to describe what you do and how you do it – along with a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer as a minimum.
If you want to apply for grants, then you will need a group bank account. This is a type of account that is specifically for community groups and societies, rather than individuals.
It is a good idea to have more than one signatory on your account (ideally three) just in case people leave the group or go on holiday. It is also sensible to avoid credit cards and overdrafts.
The best place to start is Funding Wales – a new funding platform created by Third Sector Support Wales. You can search for hundreds of grant and loan finance opportunities from local, national and international sources.
Use the search tool below to find available funds. Please note, you will need to register with Funding Wales to access the full details (you’ll be directed to the website).
Your local County Voluntary Council (CVC) will have funding experts on hand who can point you in the direction of local opportunities and provide direct support. Third Sector Support Wales has a great interactive map which allows you to search by area.
You may also want to consider the shops and businesses on your doorstep. There are three key ways they might be able to support you:
Local businesses may ask for some publicity in return for their support. This could be as simple as giving them a shout out on social media or writing a press release. Visit this page for guidance.
You could also make the most of the wider community. Lots of groups generate income by hosting annual events that they host such as Christmas or Easter fetes. Sales of raffle tickets, Christmas cards, and even charging a modest membership fee can all help.
Catch up on our income generation webinar, designed to inspire community groups looking to kickstart their fundraising efforts.
We were joined by FAN Alliance and Cardiff Rivers Group who shared the successful ways they’ve generated income through their activities.
This webinar was delivered in English, but a full Welsh transcript is available on request.
We’ll be posting examples of innovative fundraising activities here. Find out about Cardiff Rivers Group’s scrap metal scheme and Pensarn Pickers’ support from local businesses.
Do you have a fundraising success story you'd like to share? Get in touch with the team.
We're helping to connect budding volunteers with local groups. You just need to complete a short form to make sure your group features on our map.
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