What is Crowdfunding?

In the simplest terms, crowdfunding is a way for clubs and organisations to raise funds by asking many people (the ‘crowd’) for relatively small amounts of money. Crowdfunding has turned the tables on the traditional fundraising method and allows you to use the internet to engage with millions of potential funders.

Usually, those seeking funds will set up a profile about their business, project, or venture on a crowdfunding website – which is sometimes referred to as a crowdfunding platform.

Introduction to crowdfunding webinar

Learn more about crowdfunding and hear from Gravesend Rugby Club in this 30 minute webinar.

Follow this link to an Introduction to crowdfunding webinar


Sport England and CrowdFunder

Sport England and CrowdFunder have teamed up to make £7.5million of match funding available to help the sport and physical activity sector to recover, reinvent and build resilience. Get up to £10,000 to keep your community physically active.

Follow this link to Sport England: Active Together | Crowdfunder UK

The benefits of CrowdFunder are not just financial:

84% of organisations feel better connected to their communities

96% of organisations would recommend CrowdFunder to other clubs

90% of respondents indicate their skills in fundraising have improved

73% of respondents indicate improved skills in marketing

74% of respondents indicate their social media skills have improved

63% of respondents indicate upskilling in creating films


Free CrowdFunder Workshops

As part of the Active Together programme, Crowdfunder is running a series of FREE online workshops to show sports clubs and teams how crowdfunding can be an effective way to raise funds.

Book your place – Introduction to Crowdfunding Workshop


CrowdFunder Success Stories

St Lawrence & Highland Court Cricket Club

Crowd of people in colourful orange, pink and green t shirts standing on a grass field in front of some cricket stumps and bats.

St Lawrence & Highland Court CC is a cricket club based in South East Kent in the village of Bridge. In 2020 they successfully raised £13,820 (plus estimated £1103.75 from gift aid) with 115 supporters in 56 days.

St Lawrence’s crowdfunding story

Hythe Cricket & Squash Club

Four photos showing sports teams posing for team photos, squash players and a cricket player.The club has cricket, squash, racketball and football teams, indoor bowls and a golf society. Members range in age from 6 to 87. In 2020 they successfully raised £26,001 with 179 supporters in 43 days.

Hythe’s crowdfunding story


Gravesend Rugby Club

Wheelchair rugby team photo in an indoor sports hall.Gravesend RFC offers five senior men’s teams, a thriving ladies team, a wheelchair section and a full complement of mini and youth teams. In 2020 they successfully raised £35,450 (plus estimated £4347.50 from gift aid) with 262 supporters in 38 days.

Gravesend’s crowdfunding story

Thanet Wanderers Rugby Club

Large group of rugby players posing for a group photo on a grass field.

The aim of Thanet Wanderers’ Return to Rugby Fund is to support those families who have been badly affected economically due to the pandemic. In 2020 they successfully raised £15,040 with 165 supporters in 58 days.

Thanet’s crowdfunding story


CrowdFund Kent

CrowdFund Kent logoCrowdFund Kent from Kent County Council is focused on giving local organisations and groups the opportunity to take forward projects and ideas to improve their local area.

Along with pledges from local people, businesses and the wider community, Kent County Council has committed £500,000 of funding to support crowdfunding campaigns as part of this programme. From this funding, campaigns can receive up to £15,000 per project, up to 50% of campaign target.

Kent County Council uses Spacehive to help you create, fund and deliver your project idea.

Create a project on Spacehive now


Contact Us

If you have any questions about crowdfunding or would like some support in creating and submitting your crowdfunding project, please contact Sophie Ward, our Funding & Partnerships Manager, at sophie.ward@kent.gov.uk.