UTEA Smashes Stroud Funding Target

UTEA's old lighting system was failing and needed replacing. The group worked out what money they needed and set-up a project on the new crowdfunding platform for Stroud district (called Stroud Funding) which is run in partnership with the company, Spacehive.

Spacehive provided a bit of help which enabled the project to be shared far and wide to raise the funds. Lots of people shared the project and that helped boost local support.

The target was smashed (106%) a week before the deadline so Stroud District Council will also contribute towards the project too! Wow!

A spokesperson for UTEA said:-

Yes it's a brilliant scheme! Thrilled that we were able to hit our target and receive the pledge from SDC to bring us up to our total. We've been very lucky to get some very generous pledges from various groups that use the hall and will make use of the new lighting equipment. Anything surplus is going to be spent on new chairs which will be very welcome too.

Ultimately, it became very much a joint effort of sharing the platform far and wide via various social media channels but we got there!

The spokesperson added:-

A big thank you for all the donations and a special thank you to our administrator, Sam and co-opted committee member, Debs for pulling together all that was required for getting the project off the ground. Without our donations and our volunteers we wouldn't be able to achieve what we do so, thank you.

Stinchcombe Playground & Community Space

Another project that is active in the ward is the Stinchcombe Playground & Community Space. As I write this 57 backers (including me!) have pledged £12,426 with 83 days left to go. So please, please share this link with family and friends in any way you can! ;)

https://www.spacehive.com/stinchcombe-play-and-community-space

Fantastic funding opportunites for other Wotton Ward community groups

There should be another opportunity for funding in Spring 2025 so get your thinking caps on!

Spacehive, the company partnering with Stroud District Council, to deliver Stroud Funding has the highest success rate of any crowdfunding platform meaning that nearly 9 out 10 community projects hit fundraising targets.

As I write this the Stroud Funding scheme has 17 projects across the district with 961 backers and pledges of £159,252. Spacehive's fees of 7.5% for the use of their platform, expertise and processing payments etc. are always added to project targets at the onset, so there are no unexpected costs either.

Contact me directly if you want to chat about any project ideas you might have. Given the success of this scheme to date I'll be pushing for it continue beyond 2025.