Swansea crowdfunding scheme that helped Gorseinon Gymnastics club raise £25k opens new funding round

The opportunity is part of Crowdfund Swansea, a scheme that helps deliver innovative community-led ideas to improve the city.

Crowdfund Swansea is run by the council with the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform Spacehive. It aims to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas from the local community and for the local community.

Eligible projects could receive a council pledge of up to £5,000 towards their crowdfunding target.

To be in with a chance of securing the support, local groups should create and launch their projects on crowdfunding platform Spacehive and pitch to the Crowdfund Swansea Fund by March 29.

Those who have succeeded in previous funding rounds have included West Street Gymnastics Club which helped fund crucial renovations to its base in Gorseinon. Its Crowdfund Swansea fundraising reached £25,204, with 120 backers making donations.

The club’s Judith Williams said: “We’re really grateful to receive help from Crowdfund Swansea. 

“After lockdown our gym – run mostly by volunteers – needed expensive repairs to its roof and frontage.

“Parents and supporters worked tirelessly to raise funds and we thank council cabinet member Andrew Stevens for suggesting we make a bid to Crowdfund Swansea.  

“The bid attracted £5,000 funding from the council plus contributions from the public and businesses such as Admiral and Letting Stars.  

“We thank all those who supported our bid and helped us achieve our target.”

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said: “The more people involved in Crowdfund Swansea the more amazing places we can create together.

“We’re ready to support projects that put local people at the heart of the efforts to help Swansea kick on.

“Companies and foundations can join us in offering support to ideas people post on Crowdfund Swansea. This could be in funding or in-kind – anything that can help make projects a real success.

“Companies already supporting in this way include Gower Power Co-op CIC and Coastal Housing Group.”

So far, more than 1,500 residents, businesses and other organisations have joined the council to get behind 35 ideas; more than £314,000 has been raised, boosting projects ranging from beach cleans to e-bike schemes and from harvesting fruit to providing sporting equipment.

Those interested in taking part in the next funding round of Crowdfund Swansea, as a funder or to develop a project, can join a free online launch event workshop – from noon-1pm on Wednesday February 8. 

(Lead image: Swansea Council)