Help us secure the future of Craft Coop

Aim

To secure legal and professional support to futureproof Craft Coop - 15 years of community creativity, built to last.

Our story

Craft Coop has been part of the fabric of local communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey for 15 years. What started as a single Christmas craft fair in Maidenhead in 2009 has grown into something much bigger: award-winning community shops, creative outreach programmes, free children's activities, partnerships with hospices, care homes and schools, and a home for hundreds of talented local makers. 

We've always run lean. We've benefited from the support of landlords and local authorities who recognise our value, and we're proud of that. But this campaign is about something different. It's not about keeping the lights on. It's about making sure they stay on for the next 15 years.

Why we need your help

We are in the process of restructuring Craft Coop as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This is a significant and deliberate governance step - one that will allow us to apply for a much wider range of grants, unlock Gift Aid on donations, strengthen our trustee framework and future-proof the organisation against the very real pressures facing community spaces in today's economic climate.

The transition is complex. It requires specialist legal advice, constitutional redrafting, governance consultancy, and professional support that sits well outside our normal operating budget. It is, in short, infrastructure investment — the kind of work that happens quietly behind the scenes but makes everything else possible.

We are asking our community to help fund that work.

What your support will fund

We're raising £10,000 to cover the full cost of this transition. Here's how every pound will be used:

Charity law specialist and legal fees

£4,000

Governance consultancy and constitutional redrafting

£3,000

Implementation support: trustee development, compliance and resubmission

£3,000

Total

£10,000

What this means for our community

CIO status will enable Craft Coop to:

• Access grant funding streams currently unavailable to us as a CIC
• Claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, increasing the value of every pound given
• Operate under a stronger governance framework that protects our independence
• Build a more resilient financial base, reducing reliance on retail commission alone
• Continue delivering free and low-cost community programmes, outreach and creative events

 In short: this work protects everything you value about Craft Coop, for the long term.

Thank you rewards

Everyone who donates becomes a Craft Coop Insider — first to hear about community event launches, project news and what's happening in the shops, including the upcoming Windsor Community Poppy Project.

Here's what you'll receive depending on your donation:

£25+

Coop Supporter

A thank you card, plus your downloadable Coop Supporter digital badge to share on social media or in your email signature. 

£100+

Workshop half-price

Everything above, plus a half-price place at a Craft Coop workshop of your choice (redeemable when you're ready).

£250+

Bring the workshop to you

Everything above, plus a private facilitated craft session with our Creative Outreach Lead Michelle, for 6-10 people at your location. Perfect for community groups, care homes, workplace teams or private celebrations.

 All donors receive Insider status: first to know about launches, events and community news.

About Craft Coop CIC

Craft Coop began in 2009 when local mosaic artist Teresa Mills had a simple idea: bring talented local makers together and connect them with their community. Fifteen years later, we've grown into an award-winning social enterprise with shops in Windsor, Maidenhead and Camberley, supporting hundreds of local makers and delivering creative outreach to schools, care homes, hospices and community groups across the region.

Our accolades include the Best Gift Shop in the Berkshire Awards, the National Independent of the Year, the Community Award at the Lexicon Retailers Awards, and consistent recognition at the Muddy Stilettos Awards. But what matters most to us is simpler than any trophy: the maker who sells their first piece, the care home resident who makes something beautiful, the child who discovers they love creating things.

That's what we're protecting. And that's why we're asking for your help. 

Help us spread the word

Even if you can't donate, sharing this page makes a real difference. Every share reaches people who care about community, creativity and independent spaces. Please share with:

• Your friends and family
• Local Facebook groups and community pages
• Colleagues and employers who support community causes
• Anyone who has ever visited a Craft Coop shop or event

Thank you. This is your Craft Coop too.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 10th September 2026 at 4:33pm