Develop a business model for your community asset
10am – 1pm
|
4
June
2025
Anyone who runs community assets knows that there are always sudden changes in charitable and government funding that can make it difficult to operate a building, or even make it vulnerable to closure. For community assets to thrive, it’s essential to have a business model that does not rely on a single source of income, and is at least based on cost recovery, if not profitable enough to reinvest in the asset and services.
While you might start with initial grant funding, or have access to share capital (e.g. community shares), you'll need a clear business plan to generate revenue that will cover the costs of running and maintaining a community asset, as well as enabling your business to repay finance to your investors and lenders. In this workshop, we'll explore how to find the right balance between grant and commercial income, so your asset is more likely to survive financial uncertainty, and contribute to the wider local economy.
We offer sessions on a sliding scale. Please select the 'organisation' rate if you are funded by an organisation to attend this session.
- Review of popular business models from both areas of deprivation and more affluent communities
- Examples that focus on how multiple revenue streams enable financial stability for operating community assets
- Examples of different types of revenue streams that complement grant-funded activities
Participants will also get a free copy of the ABCs of the New Economy guide in the post.
- An understanding of why and how revenue generation is critical to the long-term sustainability of community assets
- Ideas on developing multiple revenue streams and diversifying your income
- The inspiration to create a new or review an existing business plan
- Connections with fellow community entrepreneurs and practitioners
- Community-led organisations who are creating or reviewing a business plan for a community-owned asset
- Community organisations currently running an asset, but in need of more sustainable review or additional income
- Local Authorities that aim to support local organisations to transition from a grant contract model to increasing commercial income
- Charitable Foundations, Social Investors and other stakeholders who can assist with financing community ownership of assets
Stir to Action's team will be facilitating the learning sessions, and will be joined by Nathan Brown of Co-op Culture, and Grace Harrison of Kitty’s Laundrette.
Refunds
Refunds will only be made if a written refund request is received no less than four weeks before the session starts. Send your written request via email to workshops@stirtoaction.com. If you cancel your booking less than four weeks before the session starts, no refund will be made other than in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the organisers. No refund will be made for non-attendance.
Cancellations
In the event we have to cancel the session before it starts, we will endeavour to inform all participants at least two weeks before the it is due to start, although please be aware that this is not always possible. In such an event, all session fees paid to date will be reimbursed in full. We are unable to reimburse any other costs that may be incurred (i.e. travel, accommodation).
In the event that we have to change session dates before the start of the session, participants may request a full refund if the new date is not convenient.
Should you have any questions regarding these terms and conditions, please contact the Stir to Action team via workshops@stirtoaction.com.
