5 Sports Projects That Scored Big with Crowdfunding
by Tom Wood | Jun 26, 2025 | Stories
From grassroots clubs and inclusive training programmes to vital facility upgrades, crowdfunding has become a game-changing way to fuel the future of sport.
At Crowdfunder, we’ve seen firsthand how communities come together to back the projects that matter most to them. Whether it’s lighting pitches, rebuilding clubhouses or creating new opportunities for underrepresented groups, these campaigns prove that when people unite around a shared goal, anything is possible.
Here are five standout examples of how sports crowdfunding has changed the game for clubs and communities across the UK.
1. York RI AFC — Lighting the Way to a Sustainable Future
Faced with soaring energy costs and aging floodlights, York RI AFC — a volunteer-led, inclusive football, rugby and netball club — turned to crowdfunding to make their facilities more sustainable. Their goal was to install LED floodlights and solar panels, keeping evening sessions accessible for all without raising costs for families. The community rallied behind the campaign, raising over £26,000 from 210 supporters, and unlocking £6,000 in Sport England match funding.
The upgrades delivered immediate benefits: floodlight energy costs dropped from over £12 to less than £2 per hour, and the club could safely host more training year-round. As Jo Patton from the club shared:
“Crowdfunding has not just raised the money we needed to renovate our old floodlights into new energy-efficient heads but it has also swelled up a community of goodwill that we knew was there but just didn’t know how to draw together. As soon as you give people in your community even a little bit of ownership in something they care about they’re very willing to give far more than you realise..”
2. Loughborough Carillon — Restoring a Community Hub
When severe flooding left Loughborough Carillon Sports and Social Club’s clubhouse unusable, the local community came together to restore this vital hub for cricket, hockey, football, and events. Their Crowdfunder raised over £20,000 from 196 supporters, backed by £10,000 in Sport England match funding.
With funds in hand, the club was able to clean and redecorate, refit the kitchen, and make the venue more flood-resilient. More than just a renovation, the campaign rekindled community spirit — bringing in volunteers, local businesses, and strengthening the club’s long-term future.
3. South Shields Cricket Club — A New Era for Girls’ Cricket
In spring 2024, South Shields Cricket Club launched a campaign to create a dedicated girls’ cricket section, aiming to hire a full-time female coach. Backed by over 140 supporters and £10,000 in Sport England match funding, the campaign raised £25,000, helping transform participation at the club.
Girls’ teams are now almost equal in number to boys’, and the club even welcomed an overseas international player to coach the squads. As Patrick from the club proudly said:
“Our girls’ section has exploded. We now have almost as many girls as boys, thanks to Crowdfunder.”
4. Calvert Devon — Saving an Accessible Adventure Centre
Formerly Calvert Exmoor, Calvert Devon faced closure in 2024 due to rising costs and dwindling income. The team urgently launched a Crowdfunder to raise £500,000 — and with over 2,200 supporters, they hit their target with just 12 hours to spare.
The campaign saved staff jobs, stabilised the centre’s finances, and allowed this life-changing outdoor adventure facility — designed for people with disabilities — to continue operating. As Chief Instructor Tom Moore said:
“The Crowdfunder has helped showcase Calvert and open horizons for even more people.”
Crowdfunding not only bought time — it reignited belief and helped secure a future for inclusive adventure.
5. Gillingham Leisure Community Trust — Keeping the Pool Warm
When the heating system at RiversMeet Leisure Centre in Dorset began to fail, Gillingham Community and Leisure Trust launched a crowdfunding campaign to save their swimming pool before winter. With £15,000 raised from 153 supporters, and a crucial £7,500 from Sport England’s Movement Fund, the centre was able to install a new boiler and keep their doors open.
Described by general manager Jake as “life-changing,” the upgrade secured a facility used by over 15,000 monthly visits — including schools, clubs, and families.
“The funding makes it achievable to put this system in before we face the winter… It is quite literally life-changing to the business.”
Their success was driven by a smart rewards strategy, local partnerships, and community storytelling.
Ready to Launch Your Own Sports Project?
These stories prove that with the right plan, the right message, and the right support, your project could be next.
Whether you’re aiming to upgrade a pitch, start a new team, or keep a community facility alive — you don’t have to do it alone.
Start your own crowdfunding journey today and unlock support from Sport England, your community, and beyond.