Community Innovation Fund

Up to £5,000 available to support community projects in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Council and Crowdfunder have teamed up to support projects primarily benefitting adults (age 18+) to make communities in Hertfordshire stronger, more connected, capable, active, safer, fairer and inclusive.

The funding aims to help communities gain more control to achieve the things that matter most to them. This fund is for projects run by the voluntary and community sector and members of the public. Full eligibility can be found below.

About the fund

Active
Hcc Community Innovation Fund
HCC Community Innovation Fund
Get up to £5,000

Funds to support Hertfordshire projects benefitting the over 18s creating stronger, safer, fairer and inclusive communities.

You need a crowdfunding project to apply for funding. Start or continue adding your project and, if eligible, you'll be prompted to apply.

Criteria

Funds to support Hertfordshire projects benefitting the over 18s creating stronger, safer, fairer and inclusive communities.

What can we match fund?

We are keen to support local projects that aim to make communities stronger, more connected, capable, active, safer, fairer and more inclusive.

Projects launching as part of Crowdfund Hertfordshire could be eligible for extra funding from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), with an opportunity to get a pledge for 50% of their funding target or up to £5000. Before completing your application for match-funding we ask that you read the terms and conditions fully.


Funding is now available to support community projects within Hertfordshire*, that help meet one or more of the following criteria:


Essential criteria for organisations and the public

  • The project must be run by a not-for-profit organisation, be based in Hertfordshire and/or be run for the benefit of adults living and/or working in Hertfordshire.
  • Projects must address equality and diversity and therefore must be inclusive and accessible to everyone.
  • The project must have strong local support from at least 25 unique supporters, and be able to reach at least 25% of its target through crowdfunding in order for an HCC pledge to be made.
  • Projects must achieve 100% of their target to secure any extra funding from the council, with the ‘all or nothing’ funding model preferred.
  • The project must be completed within a year of the grant being awarded unless otherwise agreed.
  • Organisations will need to have governance and policy documents; a management committee; a bank account in the name of the organisation with a minimum of two cheque signatories where appropriate.
  • Organisations must have an income of less than £400,000 per annum.

In addition to meeting the essential criteria, projects must also meet at least one of the following Desirable project outcomes:

  • Reducing social isolation/loneliness.
  • Improving the health and wellbeing of adults in Hertfordshire.
  • Creating volunteering opportunities for local people.
  • Supporting and enabling vulnerable groups, and/or community safety, crime reduction and cohesion.
  • Reducing or delaying demand for Hertfordshire County Council services in the community.

The small print...

  • * The area administered by HCC with at least 75% of the people benefiting from your project living in that administered area.

HCC seeks to distribute funding in an even-handed way across the area of Hertfordshire it administers and reserves the right not to make a funding pledge to a particular project.

We may ask to see copies of your Safeguarding and Health and Safety policy prior to pledging.

How to apply for this fund

Start by setting up a crowdfunder project, if eligible you will be able to apply


Crowdfunding in 60 seconds

Got a minute to spare? Watch our 'how it works' animation. You'll get a brief overview of how crowdfunding works and what extra support, services and money that only Crowdfunder can give you.

Video cover placeholder

How +Extra funding works

start crowdfunding

Start a project

Start a new project on Crowdfunder, tell us the basics and a rough outline of your story. Then we can show you funds that you may be eligible for.

Get the word out

Apply for funding

You can then choose to make an application for a relevant fund. If a partner likes your project, they may agree to support it.

Get funded

Start crowdfunding

Start raising money from the crowd and once you reach an agreed percentage of your target, one of our partners could boost your total with a large donation.

We're with you every step of the way

Crowdfunder Knowledge Hub

Crowdfunder Knowledge Hub

The go-to place for all the advice and guidance to help you make your project a success no matter what stage you're at.

Interactive sessions

Join our interactive sessions

Our team regularly host live and interactive sessions to share all the tips and know-how you need to be successful on Crowdfunder.

The Help Centre

The Help Centre

If you're not sure where to start, our Help Centre will give you all of the information you need to see success with your crowdfunding project.

Crowdfunder is supported by

We are supported by these organisations
We are supported by these organisations