Read our eight top tips for accessing a range of funding opportunities for your community business, as shared on our recent webinar on the subject.

In response to the suspension of the Community Ownership Fund (COF) due to the General Election, and the vast number of enquiries that Plunkett received regarding funding, we hosted a free webinar called ‘Funding – Options and Opportunities’ at the end of June 2024.

With nearly 100 delegates booked on, our hunch that holding an event on this theme would be popular proved to be correct!

The quick-paced webinar was delivered by Plunkett Community Business Advisers Nick Comley and Marvin Symes, who is also a grant funding expert. They covered:

  • Community shares
  • Public works loans
  • Community fundraising
  • Crowdfunding
  • Loans
  • Grants, including the National Lottery Awards for All and Reaching Communities
  • Funding platforms
  • Plunkett’s Member Hub grant funding directory

We wanted to demonstrate that, although COF has been a hugely beneficial programme for the community business sector, there are a plethora of funding mechanisms that groups can utilise to build their funding mix.

Top tips for funding

  • Recruit new members, perhaps through a new share offer – especially if you have been trading for a while. Have you reached out to the new people in your community, or local businesses? New members will not only invest in shares, but also boost sales.

  • Speak to your local authority about accessing a public works loan.

  • Contact sector specific loan providers – who understand the sector and are Plunkett recommended membership suppliers. They not only provide funds but knowledge and support to help your business.

  • Use a crowdfunding platform that is right for you – there are several options.

  • The National Lottery Awards for All and Reaching Communities are good grants to start with.

  • For Scottish groups – look at the Scottish Land Fund – lots of community groups have been successful under this fund.

  • For Welsh groups – try the Community Facilities Programme.  There are grants from £25,000-£250,000!

  • Plunkett’s Grant List on our Community Business Member Hub has an up-to-date list of funders who accept community business applications.

Watch the webinar

You can view the full webinar slides in a PDF by clicking here or the image on the right.

If you would like to watch the recording of the webinar, it is accessible to Plunkett Community Business Members on the Member Hub.

We are here to help!

If you are worried about funding your project or have trading/financial concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Plunkett. We are here to help via:

  • The helpline 01993 630022 – speak to George or Lucia
  • Email us at info@plunkett.co.uk
  • Your membership…  If you are a member, remember to use the vast array of benefit discounts and enhanced services available to you, including the Grant List on the Member Hub
    Click here to find out more about becoming a member.

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