Crowdfunder UK Teams Up With Plymouth City Council to Launch New Initiative Crowdfund Plymouth

Plymouth community projects and social enterprises will be able to tap into funds as part of a pioneering crowdfunding scheme launched today. Plymouth City Council has set aside £60,000 for projects on Crowdfund Plymouth, which was launched by crowdfunding platform, CrowdfunderUKPlymoth 1

Projects launching as part of Crowdfund Plymouth, meeting the criteria will be eligible for match funding from Plymouth Council up to 50 per cent of a project to a total of £5,000. The initiative is aiming to raise £250,000 for great community projects, charities, social enterprises and businesses for Plymouth and the wider community.

And to help the scheme get off to a flying start, the Council is committing £60,000 which it has received from developers though the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Cooperatives, Housing and Community Safety, said:

Chris Penberthy“Plymouth is the first city to launch a crowdfunding campaign using money from the levy that is funded by developers. This means that money obtained through the development system is put up for local communities and projects will be spent on local people and great ideas.”

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge made on developers to redress the impact of their development. Most of this charge is spent on big things that keep the city running like roads, schools and parks, but some can be allocated to great local projects – providing the idea fits in with the Council’s criteria.

Examples of types of projects that could receive support include:

  • Plymouth 4Community projects that improve the environment or activities in local neighborhoods.
  • Projects that develop skills, support student integration in the city, or support students staying on and starting up businesses.
  • Projects that promote local food, healthy eating or support small local businesses to thrive.

The decision to match fund a project will be decided by the Council and influenced by the interest that the project generates from ‘the crowd’, the amount of development in the area covered by the project and how it reduces the impact of development.

Crowdfunder launched two years ago with support from Plymouth University, Professor David Coslett, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said:

David Coslett“As a founding partner of Crowdfunder, it’s exciting to be part of an initiative that has earmarked such a comprehensive financial and support package for businesses, social enterprise and community organizations here in the city.

“In particular, this will offer a great opportunity for students, graduates and start-up businesses in the city, especially those who might sit outside traditional funding areas, to learn about crowdfunding, and apply for direct investment.”

Phil Geraghty, MD of Crowdfunder then added:

Phil Geraghty“Plymouth City Council is leading the way by becoming the first local authority to embrace crowdfunding. By joining Crowdfund Plymouth, the council are working alongside the community while creating great opportunities at the same time.”

Crowdfund Plymouth is designed to be a long term strategic campaign that will enable projects and businesses to engage with crowdfunding over time, encouraging economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit.


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