Raise investment to buy your first community asset
10am – 1pm
|
7
May
2025
The market value of property and land in the UK has risen sharply in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for community groups to access the capital needed to acquire and invest in local assets. Even when the capital is available, it tends to be expensive and offered on a short-term basis from lenders and investors who lack knowledge of the sector.
Despite these challenges, communities across the UK have been successfully experimenting with a mix of different sources of finance —grants, loans, and equity—to purchase and renovate community assets. This workshop will explore innovative approaches to raising finance, including how to secure more flexible terms from social investors, encourage patient investment from local supporters, as well as match funding opportunities from public and charitable institutions.
We offer sessions on a sliding scale. Please select the 'organisation' rate if you are funded by an organisation to attend this session.
- Exploration of our visual guide on your financial options
- An introduction to Community Shares and how they can be used to raise investment
- A guide to different fundraising platforms, such as Ethex and Crowdfunder.
Participants will also get a free copy of the ABCs of the New Economy guide in the post.
- A clear understanding of the different financing options available for acquiring community assets
- Knowledge of how to design a funding strategy that uses grants, loans, and equity
- Practical steps and resources to start raising investment for your first community asset
- Connections with fellow community entrepreneurs and practitioners
- Community groups and organisations seeking a mix of financing options to acquire local assets
- Local authority staff supporting community asset transfers
- Funders and investors providing funds to groups who are taking ownership of local assets
Stir to Action's team will be facilitating the learning sessions, and will be joined by Deana Bamford of Coalville CAN, and one other expert-practitioner.
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.
