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In the past we have benefited from various funding and fundraising efforts to get started and established as a co-operative not-for-profit gym.
Types of funding/fundraising
Types of funding/fundraising
Crowdfunding
Grants
Match funding
Merchandise
1. Crowdfunding
1. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people who each contribute a relatively small amount, typically via the internet. We have also put on fundraising events such as the Bristol Co-operative Games, a unique weightlifting competition.
Current/past approaches
We used crowdfunding to renovate the former council office at St. Anne's House into an accessible, welcoming gym for the community. With the money raised we were able to:
Install thick gym flooring throughout the space, replacing the current office carpet
Build a large wooden storage unit along one wall to safely store the gym equipment in an accessible way, with seating for socialising between sets
Replace equipment damaged from being stored in a damp cupboard over the lockdowns with adaptable kit that suits all abilities and body shapes
Apply spatial improvements to make the space feel less like an office - removing the suspended ceiling and changing the lighting
Past Crowdfunder: Bristol Co-operative Gym
Past crowdfunder information
2. Grants
2. Grants
Grants are a form of external funding.
Current/past approaches
In the past we have been lucky enough to secure various funding:
Co-ops UK
Co-ops UK
We received funding right at the start of BCG from Co-op UK to help us set up as a co-op.
Powering Up
Powering Up
In March 2022 we secured funding from Powering Up for a combination of grant money + mentoring that was focused on: internal capacity/digital products and services, technical support with digital specialists and professional development and wellbeing support.
Thread about Powering Up on Loomio
Power to Change: Powering Up Grant
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE Social Enterprise)
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE Social Enterprise)
In May 2022 our application to the SSE's Social Enterprise fund was successful, meaning we had money to put towards improving our systems and processes and making our sessions more accessible through training our coaches up and buying new equipment.
3. Match funding
3. Match funding
Matchfunding is where a business agrees to supply a certain percentage of the total funding required, and a partner organisation agrees to provide the rest.
Current/past approaches
During our initial Crowdfunder where we were aiming to renovate the gym, we had two organisations, Sport England and Power to Change who pledged to boost our funds if we managed to raise a certain amount within the first week of the event. We were successful in that effort and secured the extra funding for the renovations.
4. Merchandise
4. Merchandise
Our merch is made-to-order so that we don't have to manage stock. We find this works best for us as we are volunteer run.
Current/past approaches
In the past we have sold: BCG badges, patches, stickers, postcards and overhead press t-shirts, either at fundraising events or online to our members and attendees when available. If you are interested in arranging for merch to be organised the best place to garner interest is by starting a thread over on Loomio.
You may find some merch is still available here: Loomio thread: Left over merch
Pros/cons of funding/fundraising
Pros/cons of funding/fundraising
Fundraising has been instrumental in the progress of the BCG – however all the fundraising options involve a large amount of admin to organise, and require serious consideration as to whether the co-op has the capacity as a volunteer-run organisation to dedicate to it. Current thinking is towards generating our income through our standard business functions: such as co-op memberships, subscriptions etc. Our desire is to not be reliant on external funding.
Important Note
Important Note
We’re currently on a hiatus for applying for grants. Unless you see one specifically geared towards sports and you think there is one that is of interest to the co-op, post on the details on Loomio.
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