Raise the funds

Put together a short story to tell funders about the people your project will help.

This is also called your case for support. It is:

• The need
• The solution
• The outcome

Get the facts and figures to prove that your project is needed, well-planned, realistic and fully costed from:

• Your community audit
• Your feasibility study
• Your business plan

And get letters of support from potential users too.

Put together a list of the different sources of funding that you’re going to try to access. Mix it up a bit to make your project more sustainable. Start locally, and then move out:

• Church funds (e.g. reserves)
• Church assets (e.g. hall or building to rent or sell)
• Your congregation
• The wider community (e.g. local donations or fundraising events)
• Large donations
• Local businesses (e.g. donations or in-kind support)
• Local trusts and funders (e.g. local authorities and charities)
• Your diocese (e.g. grants or loans)
• National grant-givers

This is a good way to reach out to people in your local community who don’t come to your church to worship, but still care about the building or project and want to help.

Harness their skills and fundraising potential. Get them involved.

Find out more about friends groups

This is hard work. But it’s a great way to:

• Get the local community involved
• Build new relationships
• Keep people informed about the project
• Show funders that the local area is committed to your project
• And raise money

Find out more about fundraising events

Use technology to increase the ways people can give:

• Donation platforms
• Mobile banking
• Card payments
• Text giving
• Mobile apps

Create a range of leaflets and posters for different groups.

Include pictures of people. Not just the building.

You have to talk to people to raise money. Try: 

• Public meetings
• Presentations
• One-to-ones

Crowdfunding means getting a lot of individuals to each give you a small donation.

Set up a project website where people can go and donate. Try this online platform

Sell shares in your social enterprise to raise the money you need to kick-start your project.

Find out more about community shares

Some organisations will invest their money in charities and social enterprises to make sure a project has a positive impact on people.

This is not a grant or a donation. You will probably need to repay the investment with interest.

Watch a 30 minute webinar by Giving to Heritage

And find out more about social investment from:

• The Big Lottery
• Esmee Fairnbairn Foundation
• Good Finance
• Social Investment Business
• Charity Bank
• Check out community and ethical banks