3 October
Call to entry closes
Crowdfund East Sussex
Community Wellbeing Fund
Up to £5,000 available to support great ideas in East Sussex
The Community Wellbeing Fund aims to support projects that are helping to create social equity, economic prosperity, cultural vitality and environmental sustainability in East Sussex.
We will support a wide range of projects that help people and the planet to thrive, with priority given to projects addressing existing inequalities.
Key dates
9 October
Shortlisted projects notified
9 October - 23 October
Prepare to crowdfund
23 October - 29 November
Crowdfunding live
How the funding works
There is a £25,000 pot of funding available for a maximum of 5 shortlisted projects (up to £5,000 available per project).
To be in with a chance of getting up to £5,000, set up a project by clicking 'start crowdfunding' below and apply to the East Sussex Community Wellbeing Fund - Autumn 2023 in your +Extra funding dashboard by 3 October. Don't worry this is just the first stage and your campaign can still be a rough draft! Shortlisted participants will then be notified.
The shortlisted participants must set their project live between 23 October and 29 November. Once your project is live, you'll receive the £500 entry pledge from the Council.
The amount of +Extra funding available is subject to reaching a series of milestones shown below.
Milestones
Go live!
Set your project live and receive a £500 pledge from East Sussex County Council, and raise £500 from 20 unique supporters from the crowd.*
Milestone one
Raise a further £1,000 from the crowd, receive a £1,000 match funding pledge from East Sussex County Council.
Milestone two
Raise a further £1,500 from the crowd, receive a £1,500 match funding pledge from East Sussex County Council.
Milestone three
Raise a further £2,000 from the crowd, receive a £2,000 match funding pledge from East Sussex County Council.
The entry pledge will only be paid out if the project raises £500 from the crowd with 20 unique supporters, i.e. reaches a total amount raised of £1,000. Once the entry pledge of £500 is secured, the project can reach for the next milestones. Please read the full terms and conditions for more information.
How to apply for this fund
Start by setting up a crowdfunder project, if eligible you will be able to apply
FAQs for eligible projects
What are the essential criteria?
The Community Wellbeing Fund aims to support projects that are helping to create social equity, economic prosperity, cultural vitality and environmental sustainability in East Sussex. We will support a wide range of projects that help people and planet to thrive, with priority given to projects addressing existing inequalities.
This could include, for example, projects which:
1. Create connection and tackle loneliness.
2. Develop vibrant community hubs.
3. Increase active, sustainable and accessible travel.
4. Improve access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food.
5. Involve communities in tackling climate change.
6. Enhance the built and natural environment.
7. Support people to explore the use of creativity as a way to wellbeing.
8. Enable people to participate in and benefit from the digital world.
9. Promote financial inclusion.
10. Build safer and inclusive neighbourhoods.
Additionally, the following essential criteria must be met:
• The project must benefit people who live or work in East Sussex
• The project must be run by a not-for-profit organisation based in East Sussex
• The project organisation must have an annual income of less than £500,000
• The project should be creative and engaging
• Political or religious projects will not be funded
Your organisation will have a bank account with at least two signatories who are not related nor live at the same address, and have a set of accounts, or financial records covering one full year of operation if you are an established organisation.
Your organisation will also have in place/be willing to adopt the following documents for your organisation to receive a pledge from Community Wellbeing Fund:
• Constitution – Governing document
• Safeguarding Policy - Children and Adults
• Complaints Policy/Procedure
• Insurance - Public Liability (£5m)/Employers Liability (£5m)
More information
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) reserves the right not to fund, or to withdraw funding during a campaign if it becomes apparent that any of the criteria are not being met. ESCC also reserves the right to amend this information at any time.
Free weekly drop-ins, workshops and training are available to support your project development from our partners.
How do I crowdfund?
Take a look at the following resources designed to help you make the most of your campaign:
When does my crowdfunding project need to be live?
It needs to go live on Monday 23rd October and close on/by Wednesday 29th November (5 weeks maximum).
Can I extend my project deadline?
Your project will need to close on or before Wednesday 29th November.
Should I choose Flexible funding/Keep What you Raise or All or Nothing?
East Sussex pledges will be matched on milestones, so you don’t need to hit your target if you choose Flexible funding/Keep What you Raise (this is different from other funding partners at Crowdfunder, so always check if you are looking to pursue or have been accepted for other +Extra funding).
I have hit a milestone but can’t see the East Sussex pledge yet?
This is a manual process by the Crowdfunder team, so pledges will be updated as soon as possible during working hours.
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.
How +Extra funding works
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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