Crowdfunder | Stories

Found in the crowd: how to crowdfund your film

Rebecca Hughes — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:08:15 +0100

Getting a film made in the UK has never been straightforward. But right now, it’s harder than it’s been in a long time.

Broadcaster budgets have contracted. Streaming deals that once felt like a reliable route to market have dried up or become harder to access without an established track record. Grant funding is competitive, slow, and increasingly scarce. And the traditional gatekeepers — commissioners, distributors, development executives — are working with less money and more caution than they were five years ago.

For independent filmmakers, this is the reality. It’s not a skills problem. It’s a structural one.

Which is exactly why more and more filmmakers are turning to crowdfunding as a genuinely powerful alternative that puts creative control back in the hands of the people making the work.

Crowdfunding gives you something the traditional routes don’t: your IP stays with you, your creative vision stays intact, and you build a community of people who are invested in your film before a single frame is shot. That community, when nurtured well, doesn’t just fund one project, it follows you from one film to the next.

But crowdfunding a film well takes knowledge. And that knowledge has historically been hard to come by unless you already know the right people.

That’s what Found in the Crowd is for.

Get the guide

Who wrote it — and why it matters

Found in the Crowd was written by Adam Gee: a six-time BAFTA and Emmy-winning producer and commissioning editor who has worked with Channel 4, CAA in Los Angeles, Red Bull Media House and Little Dot Studios, and now leads Documentary Campus Masterschool in Berlin, one of the world’s most prestigious documentary training programmes.

Adam has backed films that have gone to festivals, shifted public debate, and built lasting audiences. He has also watched talented filmmakers run out of road — not because their ideas weren’t good enough, but because they didn’t have the knowledge or the community to get their projects funded.

That’s why he wrote this guide.

It’s the kind of advice that usually costs a festival pass to hear. Now it’s free, and it lives online so it’s always up to date.

What’s inside

The guide covers the full journey from idea to funded project — and beyond. Here’s what you’ll find:

Before you launch

Most crowdfunding campaigns are won or lost before they go live. The guide walks you through how to define your goal clearly, work out a realistic budget (including the costs most filmmakers forget), identify where your backers are actually going to come from, and build momentum in your community before you’ve even set a target.

One of the most common mistakes Adam sees? Thinking about production costs but not distribution. Getting your film made is only half the story — getting it seen costs money too, and the time to plan for that is before you set your fundraising target, not after.

Creating your campaign

Your project page is your pitch deck, your shop window, and your first impression all at once. The guide covers how to write copy that converts, how to shoot a pitch video that doesn’t need to be polished (just honest), how to design a rewards ladder that feels generous without being a logistical nightmare, and how to make the top of your page do the work for people who are only giving it five seconds.

Running your campaign

A successful crowdfunding campaign is as much about communication as it is about filmmaking. The guide covers how to build early momentum, how to use social media without burning out, how to tap into communities beyond your own network, and, crucially, what to do when things go quiet in the middle. Because they probably will. And that’s normal.

After your campaign

The campaign ending is not the end. It’s the beginning of something. The guide covers how to fulfil rewards, how to keep talking to your backers, and how to turn the people who supported your first project into the community that powers your next one.

Real campaigns, real results

The guide includes a selection of crowdfunded films that have used Crowdfunder to get their work made and seen, from investigative documentaries to shorts to feature films. These aren’t cherry-picked outliers. They’re a cross-section of what’s possible when a filmmaker with a strong story connects with the right crowd.

Among them:

Derek vs Derek raised £19,062 to fund 600 community screenings of a feature documentary about biodiversity and farming — getting the film in front of the people best placed to act on it.

MOOSHI raised £127,000 from 235 supporters for the first drama short to shine a light on illegal border pushback operations.

The Independent Noah Donohoe Investigation raised £179,000 from 5,909 supporters to fund a full documentary investigation into an unsolved case in Belfast.

None of these started with a big name or a big network. They started with a story worth telling and a community of people who wanted to see it told.

How to get it

Found in the Crowd is completely free. Sign up below and you’ll get instant access to the full guide online.

Get the guide

We’ll also send you a short series of follow-up emails over the next few weeks — one idea at a time, pulling out the most useful bits of the guide alongside videos from Adam himself.

If you’ve got a film you want to make, this is where to start.

Found in the Crowd is part of Crowdfunder’s commitment to supporting the UK’s independent film community. Crowdfunder has no platform fees for creative projects, and over £10 million in match funding is available for projects that qualify.

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The Meta Pixel: Your ads are working. Now you can prove it

Rebecca Hughes — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:42:50 +0100

Crowdfunder now supports the Meta Pixel, and it changes what’s possible when you’re putting real money behind your campaign.

If you’ve ever run a Facebook or Instagram ad for your project and wanted to know exactly how it was performing, now you can.

Advertise with confidence

Running paid social for a crowdfunding campaign has always meant flying partially blind. Meta’s reporting shows you clicks, but not whether those clicks became donations, or how much those donors gave.

The Meta Pixel changes that, connecting your Crowdfunder project page to your Meta campaigns so you can see the full picture: who’s converting, what they’re worth, and where your budget is best spent.

What you get

Here’s what the Pixel unlocks:

See exactly which ads are driving donations. Not just clicks, actual donations. When someone comes through your ad and gives to your project, that conversion is recorded, along with the donation value. You can calculate a clear return on your ad spend, and make informed decisions about where to put your budget next.

Retarget people who visited but didn’t donate. Someone followed your ad, landed on your page, didn’t give. With the Pixel, you can identify that audience in Meta and follow up with targeted ads to bring them back. On a typical Crowdfunder campaign, the majority of page visitors don’t donate on their first visit — that’s an audience you can now do something with.

Build smarter lookalike audiences. Based on the profile of people who have donated, Meta can help you find more people like them. Your targeting gets sharper with every campaign you run.

The result: less wasted spend, better targeting, and real numbers to show what’s working.

What this looks like in practice

We ran our first live test of the Meta Pixel integration with a large charity running a prize draw and the results were remarkable.

The project owner’s Meta ad spend generated a return on investment among the best performance they’ve seen across any of their campaigns to date. The cost per acquisition came in at a low level that surprised even them.

But the most interesting finding wasn’t the numbers. It was this: the campaign didn’t need a ‘moment’.

The campaign performed extremely consistently and was able to succeed without any significant spikes. No celebrity push, no big launch hook. Just a well-run prize draw, with the Meta ads (enhanced by the Meta Pixel integration!) doing their job to drive a steady stream of donations throughout.

This is a meaningful proof point, not just for the Pixel integration, but for what’s possible when you can actually see your paid social working in real time and optimise as you go.

Not just for the big organisations

If you’re a smaller organisation or a social-media-savvy project owner who wants to try paid advertising but couldn’t justify the spend without being able to measure it, this is for you too. The Pixel means you can start small, see what’s working, and scale up with confidence rather than guessing.

A few things worth knowing for smaller campaigns: paid social tends to work best when you have an existing audience who already know you — cold audiences need time to warm up, which is why running your campaign for longer tends to pay off more when you’re putting spend behind it. The Pixel makes it possible to run that kind of steady, optimised campaign rather than relying on one-off spikes.

Why Crowdfunder, not a standalone landing page?

It’s a fair question. If you’re running paid ads anyway, why send people to Crowdfunder rather than your own site?

A few things Crowdfunder handles for you: prize draw mechanics, a trusted payment engine, and the confidence that comes with a platform donors already recognise. When someone clicks an ad and lands on a Crowdfunder page, they know where they are, and that familiarity matters when you’re asking someone to make a donation.

Now that the Meta Pixel is in place, there’s no tracking reason to go elsewhere either.

How to get set up

Getting started is straightforward. You’ll need your Meta Pixel ID, a 15 or 16-digit number found in your Meta Events Manager account.

To add the Pixel to your project, just get in touch with us directly. We’ll review your request, add it for you, and confirm via email once it’s live.

Contact us: support@crowdfunder.co.uk

If you’re planning to put ad spend behind your campaign and want to make sure you can track it properly, get in touch and we’ll get it sorted.

A note on privacy: the Meta Pixel will only activate for visitors who have consented to marketing cookies. We’ve built this in line with UK GDPR requirements — your supporters’ data is handled carefully, and you’ll need to make sure your own privacy policy covers your use of tracking tools. More detail on how we’ve approached this is in our privacy policy and cookie policy.

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BA Better World Fund: match funding for UK charities

Rebecca Hughes — Tue, 05 May 2026 14:17:49 +0100

Crowdfunder and British Airways have reopened the BA Better World Community Fund, offering up to £5,000 in match funding to support charities and social enterprises making a difference in communities across the UK.

The fund, which has supported charities and social enterprises to raise more than £10 million since launching in 2022, matches donations pound for pound up to £250 per pledge for eight weeks once a project goes live on Crowdfunder.

This phase is focused on the fund’s ‘People’ categories, supporting projects working in wellbeing, social mobility, education, disability inclusion and local community support. The fund is open to UK-registered charities and social enterprises, with priority given to projects near British Airways operations.

Previous recipients include:

Flamingo Chicks, a Bristol-based charity providing inclusive dance workshops for children with disabilities and their families received over £27,000 of BA Better World Community Fund match funding
Global Grooves, based in Tameside, Greater Manchester, bring inspirational Carnival artists from around the world into communities across the UK to create unique opportunities for young people. They received over £165,000 of match funding.
Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, received over £20,000 of match funding to help young people across Sussex to get active, learn new skills, and improve their wellbeing through award-winning football programmes.

To apply, organisations create a project on Crowdfunder and apply for match funding directly through their project dashboard. Match funding is available for eight weeks from a project going live.

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A New Way for Councils to Support Local Projects

Rebecca Hughes — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:18:39 +0100

Councils play a vital role in supporting local communities, but with budgets under increasing pressure, many have been exploring smarter ways to distribute their funds. One approach that’s gaining traction is match funding, and the results are worth paying attention to.

By match funding instead of traditional grant giving, local authorities across the UK have been combining their contributions with support from the public and other organisations. On Crowdfunder, for every £1 the council contributes, an average of £2.50 is given on top by other sources.

The Roseland Centre — supported by Cornwall Council.

Stretching funds further

Rather than funding projects in isolation, councils have found that match funding turns their funds into a catalyst. By encouraging projects to fundraise and adding their own contribution as a match fund, they give those projects the legitimacy needed to draw in support from the public and a wider network of partners.

Through this collaborative model, councils have been able to support more projects with the same resources as before. In Plymouth, that effect has helped their City Change Fund raise over £1 million for hundreds of local projects.

Community-led decision making

As demand for funding has grown, grant programmes have become increasingly inundated with applications, making it harder for councils to identify which projects truly reflect what their communities need. Match funding offers a clearer signal, because the level of public support a project attracts speaks for itself. Councils can see where genuine community momentum lies, and fund accordingly.

It has also brought in a more diverse range of applicants than councils have seen through traditional routes. On platforms like Crowdfunder, an automatic matching system notifies community groups of funds they’re eligible for, even if they weren’t actively looking. That means people who would never have thought to apply are being connected with opportunities relevant to them, and councils are hearing from a much wider range of communities as a result.

The Lunch Club — supported by Lambeth Council.

Streamlined fund distribution

Managing grant programmes has historically meant juggling multiple systems across different stages of the process. A centralised match funding platform changes that, bringing everything from applications through to distribution and impact reporting into one place and freeing up council teams to focus on what matters most.

But the real value goes beyond the admin. When community groups fundraise on a public platform, they build skills, confidence and a supporter base that stays with them long after the campaign ends. On Crowdfunder, councils sit alongside both local and national businesses like Aviva, British Airways and British Gas, all backing projects on the same platform. That proximity creates opportunities that a traditional grant process simply couldn’t, for example a community group funded by a council might find themselves visible to a business whose employees can donate through their employee giving scheme, or offer their time through volunteering days. Connections that would never have been made through a grant application alone start to happen naturally.

Empower — supported by Plymouth City Council.

For councils, being present in that ecosystem matters. It places their communities inside a network of people and organisations who are actively looking to help, and that’s an opportunity that’s hard to put a price on.

Find out how this could work for your council.
Get in touch here or email cfpartnerships@crowdfunder.co.uk

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Make every pound go further with a match fund

Crowdfunder — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:37:10 +0000

We’ve just made it easier than ever to supercharge your Crowdfunder with match funding. Alongside the match funds offered by our funding partners which you can apply to directly, you can now bring your own match funder to the table.

If you have a business, trust and foundation, local authority, or high-net-worth individual in your network, you can ask them to match every donation your crowd makes, pound for pound. Every £30 becomes £60. Every £50 becomes £100. Without your supporters having to do anything differently.

You can add the match fund to your own project and your supporters will see their donations being doubled.

What is a match fund, exactly?

A match fund is a pot of money from a partner that sits alongside your campaign. It can come from a business, a trust, a local authority, a major donor, or any organisation that wants to back your cause. When a supporter donates, their contribution is matched pound for pound from that pot.

On Crowdfunder, setting up a match fund is straightforward. Your partner commits a sum, and every public donation is doubled until the pot is used up. Simple, visible, and remarkably effective.

Increase your average donation

On Crowdfunder projects with a match fund, the average donation jumps from £40 to £70.

Donors see that their contribution will be matched and feel compelled to give more. It’s not a bigger audience or a more expensive campaign. It’s the same supporters, giving more confidently because they know their money will go further.

Brighton Table Tennis Club raise £109,340 by leveraging their existing funding partners

Moulsecoomb venue in early 2025, it brought three existing partners on board as match funders: the Focus Foundation, the Enjoolata Foundation, and the Starr Trust. The club then applied for additional match funding from Sport England and received a further £15,000.

With every donation going four times as far, the campaign raised over £109,000.

Why does it work so well?

Match funding taps into something real in the way people make decisions about giving.

It creates urgency. Match pots are finite. When supporters can see that the fund is filling up, they act now rather than coming back to it later.

It builds confidence. If an organisation has formally committed to backing your project, that’s a signal to the crowd that your campaign is credible and worth supporting.

It amplifies the feeling of impact. Giving £35 and generating £70 of good feels meaningfully different to just giving £35. The maths is the same, but the experience isn’t.

It gives people a reason to share. A match fund is a natural hook : something tangible and exciting to tell friends and family about. “Every donation is being doubled right now” travels further than “please donate”.

Who can provide the match funding?

This is where a lot of project owners get stuck. They assume you need a major funder or a formal trust relationship. In reality, your match funder could be much closer than you think.

A local business that wants genuine community visibility
A grant-giving trust looking to maximise the reach of their funding
A local authority or council with community investment budgets
A corporate partner fulfilling a social value commitment
A trustee, major donor, or key supporter who wants to see their gift multiply
A sector partner — a sports governing body, environmental foundation, or arts organisation — aligned with your cause

The question to ask yourself is: who already believes in what we’re doing? Who benefits when we succeed? That’s your starting point.

Why funders love match funds

Asking a partner for a match fund rather than a straight grant works better for both of you. When a partner match funds your campaign, their money doesn’t just sit in your account:

It actively motivates your crowd to give, multiplying the total impact of every pound they commit.
It also helps you build a wider base of supporters who believe in your work, rather than leaving you reliant on one funder year after year.
Match funding puts your partner at the heart of the campaign. Every donation that is matched will be visible on your project page. Every supporter will see the impact that your partner is having.

How to approach a potential match funder

You don’t need a formal proposal or a lengthy pitch. A good conversation is often enough. Here’s what works:

Lead with their impact, not yours. Frame the ask around what they get – their funding multiplied by public generosity, their name visibly backing a community campaign, a clear story of local or sector impact to share.

Use the data. Show them what match funding does: the average donation rises from £40 to £70 on matched Crowdfunder projects. Their commitment won’t just sit there — it will actively motivate more people to give more.

Time it well. Year-end is a great moment to approach major donors and trusts who are thinking about where their giving will go. Corporate partners often have social value budgets that need to be spent by financial year end.

Ready to add a match fund to your campaign?

If you’ve got a partner in mind — or want to explore who might be the right fit — we’re here to help. Adding a match fund to your Crowdfunder is straightforward, simply complete the linked form and our team will be in touch.

Add a match fund to your project

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Crowdfunder appoints US lead to help nonprofits fundraise

Crowdfunder — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:21:53 +0000

New York-based media and technology executive brings 20+ years of experience scaling international brands to spearhead Crowdfunder’s mission to help charity and not for profits hit fundraising objectives.

UK & NEW YORK, NY – March 10, 2026 – Crowdfunder, the UK’s leading crowdfunding platform that has raised more than $500 million (£400m) for charities, social enterprises, and businesses, today announced the appointment of Rebecca Lisica as US President & General Manager. Based in New York, Lisica will oversee Crowdfunder’s US expansion, including partnerships, revenue development, and platform growth nationwide.

New York based Lisica brings extensive experience launching and scaling international brands in the US market. Most recently, she served as Advisor to Raspberry Pi where she quadrupled US revenue and built strategic partnerships to expand the organization’s footprint. Previously, she led US launches for Campaign (Haymarket Media) and Qmee, and held senior leadership roles at Zinio, where she managed a $60+ m P&L across 70 countries, and Emap/Bauer Media Group, where she drove innovation and grew revenue for premium media brands.

Rebecca Lisica has worked in the US, UK and Australia
Her track record of restructuring organizations, securing strategic partnerships, and differentiating brands in competitive markets aligns closely with Crowdfunder’s mission to expand access to community-powered fundraising in the US. “Rebecca’s proven ability to take innovative UK brands and make them resonate in the American market makes her the perfect fit to lead our US expansion,” said Dawn Bebe, Co-CEO of Crowdfunder. “Her experience building revenue, forging strategic partnerships, and creating standout positioning in crowded markets will be invaluable as we bring Crowdfunder’s community driven model to US charities and social enterprises. Rebecca understands both the technology and the mission-driven aspects of what we do, and we’re thrilled to have her leading this critical phase of our growth.”

“The US expansion represents a significant growth milestone to offer American US nonprofits, mission-driven organizations, and communities an alternative to traditional fee-based crowdfunding platforms. I’m delighted to be able to use my skills and experience to help purpose led organisations across the US raise more,” said Rebecca.

Lisica holds an Executive MBA from Cambridge University Judge Business School and has served as a board member for Blue School. She is a mentor for Techstars NYC and Bright Ideas Trust.

About Crowdfunder Crowdfunder is a global crowdfunding platform that has raised more than $500 million (£400 million) for nonprofits, social enterprises, small businesses, and community-led initiatives worldwide. Now live in the United States, Crowdfunder is launching with a fee-free fundraising initiative for nonprofits, enabling organizations to keep 100% of the funds they raise, supported through optional donor tipping. Backed by leading fintech investors including Crowdcube, Crowdfunder brings its proven, community-powered funding model to one of the world’s largest and most dynamic philanthropic markets.

Media Contact: dawn@crowdfunder.com

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How Penarth CC crowdfunded to support the next generation

Tom Wood — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:47:20 +0000

Raised £6,520 from 25 supporters

+£1,500 match funding from Sport Wales: A Place for Sport

Penarth Cricket Club, based in the Vale of Glamorgan, is one of Wales’ largest and most inclusive community cricket clubs. With a thriving junior section, a growing women’s and girls’ programme, and multiple senior teams, it offers opportunities for players of all ages and backgrounds.

“We are a community and family-based cricket club in South Wales seeking to create a cricket offer to many people which is inclusive and a great experience,” the club explained on its Crowdfunder page.

As the club’s membership continued to expand, its facilities and equipment began to struggle to keep pace with the demand.

The Challenge

Penarth CC’s ground was reaching capacity. Its small two-bay nets could no longer cope with the number of players training each week, and essential maintenance equipment was nearing the end of its lifespan.

“Our small two-bay nets are struggling in terms of quality and capacity to cope,” the club wrote.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council had stopped providing grounds maintenance support, leaving the club responsible for expensive upkeep costs. A new heavy roller, square mower and scarifier were urgently needed to maintain safe, high-quality pitches.

The Crowdfunding Campaign

The club launched its Crowdfunder campaign in late 2024 with two goals:

To fund the purchase of a heavy roller with help from the Sport Wales “A Place for Sport” match-funding scheme.
To raise additional funds and awareness for its long-term ambition to build a new four-bay net facility.

“Part of this Crowdfunder scheme is to apply to Sport Wales’ Crowdfunder scheme to support the purchase of a heavy roller,” they explained. “We also want to use this platform in a wider way to appeal to anyone with a link, emotional, historic, or otherwise, with Penarth Cricket Club to consider making a donation.”

The heavy roller was the immediate focus, providing an achievable short-term win while helping lay the groundwork for the much larger development ahead.

Funding & Results

The campaign set an initial target of £5,000 and went on to raise £6,520 from 25 supporters.

A major factor in reaching the target was the £1,500 match funding from Sport Wales, which directly supported the purchase of the heavy roller and encouraged more supporters to donate.

Outcomes & Impact

The successful campaign enabled Penarth Cricket Club to:

Purchase a heavy roller, ensuring the club can maintain its pitches to a high and safe standard
Continue providing high-quality facilities for its 450 junior players and 90 senior members
Support one of the largest All Stars and Dynamos programmes in the UK, alongside growing women’s and girls’ teams
Build momentum and visibility for the longer-term nets development project

Challenges & Learnings

Penarth CC’s experience showed how smaller, tangible goals can galvanise a community around a bigger vision. By breaking a major project into achievable steps, starting with the heavy roller, the club proved that crowdfunding can serve both short-term needs and long-term ambitions.

The visibility of the Sport Wales partnership also inspired trust, showing supporters exactly how their contributions would make an impact.

Thinking about crowdfunding for your sports facilities? Find out if you could be eligible to receive up to £15,000 from Sport Wales!

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UK creative funding guide: grants, prizes & crowdfunding

Crowdfunder — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:10:32 +0000

Are you a UK-based artist, writer, musician, designer, performer, or creative entrepreneur looking for support? Finding creative grants in the UK can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to. This guide brings together the most relevant creative grants, funding opportunities, prizes, and match-funding options available to creatives across every discipline — from theatre and film to fashion, music, and visual arts.

Our filterable, regularly updated resource provides a clear overview of creative arts grants, creative business grants, individual creative grants, and more, helping you quickly find the funding you need to develop new work, launch projects, or advance your creative career.

Table of contents:

What are creative grants?
Fundraising ideas for creatives
Grants for UK creatives
Prizes & competitions
Residencies & fellowships
Crowdfunding & match funding
Master list of creative grants
Funding success stories
Top tips for winning creative grants

What are creative grants?

Creative grants are non-repayable funding given to individuals or organisations working in the creative industries. These can include creative arts grants, creative business grants, and creative industries grants, supporting everything from early project development to community outreach and professional growth.

Types of funding opportunities for creatives

We include multiple types of funding options in this guide:

1. Creative grants

These are non-repayable funds awarded to individuals or organisations to develop new work, grow professionally, or reach new audiences. They’re ideal for:

Independent artists
Creative collectives
Community-led arts initiatives
Social enterprises and creative businesses

Examples:

Arts Council England Project Grants: Offers up to £100,000 to support arts and cultural activity.
Jerwood Foundation: Supports emerging artists and curators across disciplines.
National Lottery Heritage Fund: Open to cultural projects with a heritage angle.

2. Prizes & competitions

Award-based funding that often comes with prestige, media coverage, or exhibition opportunities. These typically require submission of past or proposed work.

Examples:

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Awards: £60,000 prizes for visual artists and composers.
The Waverton Good Read Award: Celebrates debut novels with a cash prize.
Young Creatives Awards: For emerging talent under 30 in design, writing, performance and more.

3. Residencies & fellowships

These offer financial support alongside time, space, and mentoring to develop creative work. Many include travel, accommodation, or production budgets.

Examples:

Cove Park Residencies: Residencies for artists in Scotland.
Jerwood Fellowships: Development support for early-career creatives.
The British School at Rome: Fellowships for UK visual artists and architects.

4. Crowdfunding with match funding

One of the most exciting options for creatives is combining crowdfunding with match funding – especially through Crowdfunder.co.uk.

How it works:

You run a crowdfunding campaign for your project.
If eligible, a funder matches what you raise.
Your funding pot doubles – and you gain audience engagement too.

Example: Creative Scotland Crowdmatch matches up to £10,000 for creative projects in Scotland. This type of support is ideal for creative business grants or grassroots initiatives that already have community backing.

The master list of UK creative grants, prizes, competitions & match funding

Use our listing to explore funding opportunities for creatives across many sectors and locations.

Examples of successful funding

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few examples of creative projects that have successfully secured funding:

Glimmers: Dean Owens & The Sinners Album (Crowdfunder with match funding) — Glimmers raised nearly £28,000 from over 230 supporters, including £10,000 in Creative Scotland Crowdmatch funding, to record a new studio album by Scottish roots artist Dean Owens and his band The Sinners. The campaign supported an immersive creative journey inspired by Italian landscapes and culture, while inviting fans to be part of the process through pre-orders, exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access.
Disability-Led Dance Company Tour (Arts Council England): A national tour by an inclusive dance group funded by ACE project grants, enabling broader accessibility and engagement.
Children’s Illustrated Book on Migration (Paul Hamlyn Foundation): A creative publishing project that merged education with community storytelling, receiving significant grant support.
Fashion Recycling Workshop Series (Local Trust Funding): A sustainable fashion initiative that empowered young people to upcycle and design clothing, delivered in a deprived urban area.

Top tips for successful arts funding applications

In the world of arts funding, strategy and preparation make all the difference. Keep these pointers in mind when preparing your applications:

1. Do your homework

Always read the fund’s guidelines and eligibility criteria carefully before you start writing. It sounds obvious, but as many as 50% of applications fail simply because they don’t meet the funder’s basic eligibility criteria.

Make sure your project actually fits what the fund is looking to support – this will save you from wasting time on long-shot applications. Research past projects they’ve funded to understand their priorities, and only pursue opportunities that are a good match for your work.

2. Pick your battles

You can’t apply for every grant out there, so be strategic about where to put your energy. Funding applications take a lot of time and effort, so focus on the opportunities where you have the best chance of success.

In fact, you should weigh up how likely you are to get each grant and prioritise funds where you think you have a greater chance of success. It’s better to craft a few high-quality, well-targeted applications than to send out dozens of generic ones.

3. Plan and prepare early

Mark your calendar with application deadlines (or panel meeting dates) and give yourself plenty of lead time. Remember that once you submit, you might be waiting a while – some funders only make decisions a few times a year, and it can take up to 6 months for trustees to reach a decision on a grant.

Most funders also won’t cover costs you’ve already incurred, so plan to apply well before your project start date. Also, avoid last-minute surprises by reading through the entire application form (all the questions and required materials) as soon as possible. This way, you can see exactly what information or documents you’ll need and have time to gather everything without a last-minute scramble.

4. Tailor every application

No two funders are exactly alike, so always tailor each application to the specific grant or funding body. Speak their language – mirror the funder’s own terminology and priorities – and don’t be afraid to explicitly state how your project meets their criteria.

Make it crystal clear that you understand what they’re looking for. For example, Arts Council England (ACE) heavily emphasises public engagement and diversity in the projects it supports, so a strong ACE application would explain who your audience or participants are, how they’ll engage with your work, and how you’re reaching beyond the “usual crowd” in your community.

Tailoring each application like this shows the reviewers that your project is a perfect fit for their mission, which can help you stand out.

5. Tell your story clearly

Funders often have to sift through hundreds of proposals, so clarity and structure are key. Give your application a clear narrative flow that’s easy to follow. Start with why your project is needed (the problem or opportunity you’re addressing) before explaining what you plan to do – this hooks the reader by showing the importance of your idea right up front.

Write in plain English, avoiding specialist jargon or acronyms that might confuse people (Assume the panel knows nothing about your specific art form or community – spell it out for them in simple terms.) If the application format allows, break up long text into paragraphs or bullet points so it’s more digestible.

The easier you make it for someone to understand what you’re proposing and why it matters, the more likely they are to be convinced it’s worth funding.

6. Show your impact (use evidence)

Don’t just tell them how great your project will be – show them. Back up your proposal with evidence of the potential impact and support for your idea. If you’ve done similar work before, you can include a quick example or result (e.g. “our last community mural project brought together 50 local residents”).

Testimonials, statistics, or brief case studies can help bring your story to life. And if you don’t have much of a track record yet, that’s okay – you can lean on partners or supporters to strengthen your case. For instance, you might mention a community organization collaborating with you, or include a short endorsement from a respected mentor.

Demonstrating that others believe in your project (and that there’s an audience or need for it) can go a long way in convincing funders.

7. Learn to love budgets

Budgets might seem scary, but they’re just another way to tell the story of your project – in fact, a well-planned budget shows that you’ve thought through everything. Make sure your budget includes all the resources needed to do what you’ve described in your proposal (and nothing that you haven’t mentioned).

Funders will also check that the numbers add up, so double-check that your total expenses equal the amount you’re asking for plus any other funding or support you’ve lined up. Use realistic figures for each item (get quotes or do a bit of research for cost estimates) and don’t wildly underestimate costs or overestimate how much other income you can get – that could raise red flags.

It’s wise to include a small contingency (say 5-10% of the budget) for unexpected expenses, which shows you’ve built in a safety net. And remember to note any in-kind support (like volunteer time, donated space, or materials) in your budget; even though it’s not cash, it demonstrates additional support for your project.

8. Embrace feedback and keep going

Even if you follow all the advice, you might still get turned down sometimes – and that’s okay. Arts funding is competitive, and there are always more worthy projects than there is money to fund them. You will likely hear “no” a lot, especially when you’re just starting out.

The key is not to take rejection personally. Instead, try to learn from each attempt: if a funder offers feedback, take it on board to improve your next application. Maybe your project needed a clearer community benefit, or perhaps your budget was missing detail – feedback can pinpoint that.

Also, don’t burn bridges with a funder just because you weren’t successful this time; stay polite and thank them for considering your proposal. Who knows – you might be a perfect fit for a different opportunity they run, or you might apply again in the future once you’ve strengthened your idea.

Keep going and keep refining your approach. Persistence (and a good pinch of patience) is often the secret ingredient to funding success!

9. Consider a hybrid approach: grants + crowdfunding

Relying on one funding source isn’t always enough – and often, combining different types of support can be a smart move. Many creatives now use a hybrid approach, pairing traditional grants with crowdfunding to fill gaps, test ideas, or show public backing.

For example, Crowdfunder’s Creative Scotland Crowdmatch fund offers match funding, doubling what you raise from your audience – giving funders and backers a reason to get behind your work.

Crowdfunding platforms like Crowdfunder can also help you build a community around your idea. Even if you don’t raise huge sums, showing that people are willing to chip in can strengthen your case when applying for bigger grants.

You can even use crowdfunding to cover things funders might not, like early development, marketing, or audience outreach. Just be sure to factor in the time and energy it takes to run a successful campaign – it’s a lot of work, but it can pay off both financially and in visibility.

With these tips in mind – and a comprehensive list of UK arts funding opportunities at your fingertips – you’ll be much better equipped to navigate the funding maze. Remember that every successful grant begins with a great idea and a well-prepared application. You’ve got the creative vision; now you have the roadmap to find the support it needs. Good luck, and happy funding!

The post Crowdfunder Stories | Watch the series appeared first on Crowdfunder Stories.

Music funding opportunities in the UK: A complete guide

Tom Wood — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:08:44 +0000

If you’re an artist, band, producer, or composer, you might be searching for music grants or other ways to fund your next project. The good news is there are many music funding opportunities in the UK – from grants and awards to crowdfunding – that can help turn your musical ideas into reality.

This guide breaks down the types of music funding for UK artists, explains concepts like matched crowdfunding, highlights major funders (and some real examples), and shares practical tips to strengthen your applications

Table of Contents

Types of music funding available
Major music funders and grant programmes in the UK
Examples of funding in action
Crowdfunding in action: Case Studies
Tips for a successful funding application
Conclusion

Types of music funding available

Music creators can tap into several forms of funding support. Understanding the music funding opportunities out there will help you choose what fits your needs:

Grants

These are non-repayable funds provided by organisations (often arts councils, charities, or trusts) to support music projects. Grants can range from small amounts (a few hundred pounds) up to large-scale project funding (tens of thousands). For example, Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants offer between £1,000 and £100,000 for arts activities. Grants typically require a proposal or application detailing your project and how it meets the funder’s goals. They are competitive, but they’re essentially “free” money for your music project if you win them.

Awards and prizes

Some charities and industry bodies offer awards to musicians, often through competitions or nomination processes. These might be called things like “emerging artist awards” or songwriting prizes. For instance, the Musicians Benevolent Fund’s Emerging Excellence Award (now managed by Help Musicians UK) used to provide £500–£3,000 for career development. Winning an award can grant you both funding and prestige, though these are usually competitive and decided by judges.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding lets you raise money directly from fans and supporters via platforms like Crowdfunder. In a typical crowdfunding campaign, you pitch a project (say, recording an album or funding a tour) and offer rewards (like advance copies, merchandise, or exclusive experiences) in exchange for contributions. Many artists have successfully funded albums and other ventures this way. Crowdfunding not only brings in funds, but also helps build a community around your music. It works best if you have an engaged fan base or a network willing to support your idea.

Prize draws are another option worth considering. If you have something genuinely exciting to offer, festival tickets, exclusive merchandise, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a prize draw can reach people well outside your existing fanbase and create real buzz around your campaign.

Find out how prize draws work on Crowdfunder →

Matched crowdfunding

An exciting variation of crowdfunding is matched crowdfunding, where a funder matches a portion of the money raised from the crowd. In other words, for every pound you raise from fans, the funder will contribute a pound (often up to a certain limit). This combination can double your funding and also signals that your project has both grassroots support and official backing. For example, Arts Council England piloted a matched crowdfunding scheme that gave up to £10,000 (covering 25% of a project’s target) on top of what the crowd raised. In such programs, if you crowdfund 75% of your goal, the funder provides the remaining 25% as a grant. Matched crowdfunding has grown in popularity because it encourages public engagement: your fans literally help unlock additional funding from partners like arts councils or trusts. Keep an eye out for these opportunities – they can be a fantastic way to boost a crowdfunding campaign for your music project.

Crowdfunder also works with funders such as Creative Scotland who provide match funding on the Crowdfunder platform.

Crowdfunder has also partnered with Creative UK to offer 0% platform fees for creative and cultural organisations raising funds through the platform, meaning more of what you raise goes directly into your work.

Loans or investment

While grants are the most common music funding options to creators, there are also loans and investment schemes. These aren’t “free money” since you’ll repay them or give up equity, but they can still kickstart a music venture. Organisations like Creative UK (formerly Creative Industry Finance) or startup loan programs have provided business loans to music enterprises in the past. If you have a solid plan to generate income (for example, launching a music production company or a label service), a low-interest loan might be an option. However, most musicians start with grants or crowdfunding before considering loans, since grants don’t need repayment.

Each funding type has its pros and cons. Grants and awards are competitive but don’t require payback. Crowdfunding takes effort in marketing but can also grow your fanbase. Matched funding gives you a boost if you can rally some initial support. The key is to choose the approach (or combination) that best suits your project and your capacity. In the next sections, we’ll look at the major funders and music project grants available across the UK, and how to increase your chances of success.

Major music funders and grant programs in the UK

Several organisations in the UK specialise in supporting music creators. Below is a breakdown of the major funders and some of their flagship programs. These are the names you’ll want to know when looking for funding for music creators:

You can also view our comprehensive list of UK funding opportunities

Arts Councils (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

The public Arts Councils are a top source of arts and music grants in the UK. They distribute government and National Lottery funding to creative projects.

Arts Council England (ACE): ACE offers funding for a wide range of arts and culture projects, including music. Their primary open grant is National Lottery Project Grants, which provides £1,000 to £100,000+ for arts projects of all kinds. Musicians (individuals or groups) and organisations can apply with projects that engage people in arts activities. For example, you might seek funding to record an album and do an accompanying live showcase, or to organise a community music festival. ACE grants are open year-round on a rolling basis. Keep in mind they are competitive and you must clearly articulate the artistic and public engagement aspects of your project. Arts Council England also occasionally runs targeted programs (for instance, funding specifically for grassroots live music or for developing talent in certain regions).
Arts Council of Wales / Wales Arts International: In Wales, Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) fulfills a similar role. They fund music and arts projects with money from the Welsh Government and National Lottery. Most funding goes to artists and organisations in Wales, and they sometimes have specific schemes for Welsh language projects or community music. If you’re Wales-based, check their Individual Creative Grants and other programs on arts.wales.
Creative Scotland: Creative Scotland is the arts funding body for Scotland, supported by the Scottish Government and National Lottery. They offer grants to musicians and bands (as well as organisations) for developing new work, touring, recording, and more. One of their funds, for example, is the Open Fund for Individuals (though note that availability can depend on budget cycles – it was paused in late 2024 due to funding cuts. Always check Creative Scotland’s website for the latest funding streams, which could include regular open grants or targeted awards for Scottish artists.
Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI): ACNI supports music and arts across Northern Ireland. They have various schemes for individuals (artists, songwriters, composers) as well as for organisations. Examples include travel grants for showcasing abroad, training bursaries, and project funding to create or perform new music in NI. If you’re in Northern Ireland, ACNI’s funding page will list current opportunities and how to apply.

Each arts council has its own application portal and guidelines, but a common thread is they want to see public benefit. That means your project should ideally reach an audience or community, not just benefit you privately. The upside of arts council grants is the amounts can be significant – they can cover major projects or longer-term development. Just be sure to plan well ahead (applications can take a couple of months to review) and align your proposal with their strategic criteria (such as diversity, reaching new audiences, innovation, etc., which they outline in guidance documents).

PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development. They focus on supporting songwriters, composers, artists, bands, and producers across all genres. PRS Foundation runs a variety of grant programs, many of which are well-suited to emerging and mid-career music creators:

The Open Fund for Music Creators: This is a flexible grant for artists, songwriters, or producers of any genre to fund the creation, performance, and promotion of new music. It typically offers up to around £5,000 for projects. For example, an independent artist might get an Open Fund grant to finance a studio recording and a promotional campaign for a new EP.
Women Make Music: A program specifically for female and gender minority music creators. It offers grants (similarly up to ~£5,000) to support new music projects by women, trans and non-binary artists, aimed at breaking down gender barriers in music.
PPL Momentum Music Fund: One of PRS Foundation’s flagship initiatives, Momentum provides larger grants of £5,000 to £15,000 to help talented artists “break through” to the next stage of their careers. This fund is targeted at acts who have built some buzz and fanbase already. It can pay for recording an album, touring, marketing, or similar activities that will boost an artist’s profile. Notably, previous Momentum recipients include chart-topping artists like Little Simz and Sam Fender– highlighting how effective this support can be. Momentum is run in partnership with PPL (the music licensing company) and support from Arts Council England and others, and it has regular deadlines throughout the year. If you have a strong track record and team (e.g. a manager or label on board) and need a significant push, Momentum is a prime opportunity.
Hitmaker Fund (formerly Writer/Producer Fund): This fund offers grants (around £10,000) to behind-the-scenes music creators – specifically songwriters, producers, and music creators who are working on projects for artists (including their own artist projects). It’s meant to support those who are crucial to the songwriting and production process, helping them get to the next level (for instance, funding time to collaborate, purchase of specialised equipment, or sessions to write a batch of songs).
The Composers’ Fund: A grant (up to £10,000) for established composers (of genres like classical, jazz, experimental, etc.) to help pursue a major new composition or creative endeavor. If you’re a composer with a few years of work under your belt, this fund can support activities like writing a large-scale piece or investing in new tools for your composition work.
International Showcase Fund (ISF): Co-funded with the British Council and others, ISF offers travel grants for artists to perform at key music industry showcases abroad (like SXSW, Eurosonic, Jazz Ahead, WOMEX etc.). If you’re invited to showcase internationally, ISF can help cover flights and accommodation, so you don’t miss those career-making opportunities overseas.
Power Up and Other Initiatives: In recent years, PRS Foundation has launched Power Up (supporting Black music creators and industry professionals with grants and mentorship) and continued partnerships like Keychange (for gender equality in music). These are more specific, but worth checking if you identify with their target groups.

Overall, PRS Foundation has been a driving force in funding UK music creators – since 2000 they’ve invested over £35 million in new music initiatives. Many of their grants have multiple calls per year, and you can apply directly through their website. Their focus is on originality and impact: they want to fund music that will be performed, released, and enjoyed by audiences. If you’re writing and performing your own music, chances are there’s a PRS Foundation program that suits your stage of development.

Help Musicians

Help Musicians (formerly known as the Musicians Benevolent Fund) is a charity that supports UK musicians’ careers and wellbeing. They offer both creative development grants and hardship funding (for times of crisis), but here we’ll focus on their opportunities for project funding and career development.

Do It Differently Fund: This is a popular grant program by Help Musicians aimed at independent artists/bands. It provides a package of funding (around £3,000) plus professional development support. The grant can be used “holistically” – meaning you could split it across creative costs (recording, video, etc.), business costs (marketing, PR), and even health/wellness activities to support you as an artist. Do It Differently typically also includes some 1-to-1 business advice or mentoring, making it quite unique. It’s competitive, but ideal for emerging artists who are DIY and want to maintain control while getting a boost to kick off a project.
Transmission Fund: This fund offers grants for musicians to undertake opportunities that will boost their careers through learning — such as attending workshops, masterclasses, conferences, or private tuition. For example, a producer might get funding to shadow a top engineer in the studio, or a songwriter could attend a songwriting retreat. It’s about investing in your skills and artistry.
Fusion Fund (or similar touring fund): In the past, Help Musicians ran funds to support live performance ambitions (like merging genres or innovative live projects). These have varied over time, so check their current offerings for anything related to live music or touring support.
Jazz and Genre-Specific Awards: Help Musicians manages the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, which grants funding to outstanding emerging jazz musicians or groups. Similarly, through a partnership with MOBO, they co-fund the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, which supports artists working in genres like hip-hop, grime, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, etc. This MOBO fund provides grants (around £2,000) for career development in these genres, plus industry mentoring. If you operate in those styles, it’s a key opportunity to consider.

In addition to these, Help Musicians has regional teams for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and an advice portal to guide musicians toward relevant opportunities. Uniquely, Help Musicians is also there for those times when you might face illness, financial hardship, or mental health challenges – they have funds for medical treatment, living costs, or their Music Minds Matter support line. So, they truly are a “helping hand” throughout a musician’s life. When it comes to creative funding, their focus is on artists who have a clear plan and could really benefit from an injection of funds to move forward in their career or artistic journey.

Youth Music and funding for young creatives

Youth Music is a national charity that usually funds organisations to run music projects for children and young people (ages 0-25). If you’re running a community youth music program or a social enterprise, Youth Music’s grant rounds (funds like Trailblazer, Catalyser, etc.) might be relevant – these are aimed at projects with social impact, usually led by nonprofits or community interest companies.

For individual young music creators, Youth Music’s NextGen Fund is the headline opportunity. This fund offers small grants to 18–25 year olds (and up to age 30 for those who identify as Disabled) to launch creative projects. Grants are up to £2,500 (recently increased to £3,000 in recognition of rising costs). The NextGen Fund can support not just artists, but also young people in wider music roles – like aspiring producers, sound engineers, journalists, or agents – basically anyone looking to make a positive contribution to the music scene. If you’re a young artist or creative with a project idea and not much funding of your own, this is a fantastic starter grant. Rounds run a few times each year, and the application is meant to be straightforward (you can even apply by video). It’s competitive due to high demand, but even if you don’t succeed at first, it’s worth trying again as you develop your idea.

Aside from NextGen, some local Youth Music initiatives or other youth-focused funds (such as the Prince’s Trust or local councils) might offer support for under-25s in music. Check in your area for any youth arts grants or callouts.

Other notable funding opportunities

Beyond the big players above, the UK has numerous smaller funding opportunities worth mentioning:

Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS): If you’re at a stage where you have a growing profile and want to expand internationally, MEGS could be key. Run by the BPI (the UK record labels association) and government, this scheme offers grants from £5,000 to £50,000 to help fund overseas touring, marketing and export campaigns. It’s aimed at independent artists (and their labels/management) who have achieved some success in the UK and are ready to reach audiences abroad. For example, an indie band with a UK top 40 album might apply for support to tour in the USA and Europe, or a grime artist might seek funds to promote a release in Asia. Note that applications must come from a UK-registered independent music company (like your label or a management company), and there are eligibility requirements (it’s essentially for small-to-medium companies with under £50m turnover). This is a more industry-level grant, but it has helped many UK acts (58 artists in one recent round) to grow their international fanbase. If you think you’re at this stage, consider discussing with your team about applying.
Music for All: This charity focuses on access to music making. They offer Individual Grants (for people who need help affording an instrument or lessons) and Community Project Grants (for music initiatives that help others). Over five years, Music for All gave out £300,000 in grants and hundreds of instruments to individuals, schools and community groups. If you need a specific piece of gear or you run a community music program that needs instruments/funding, Music for All might be able to help. The amounts are usually modest (a few hundred pounds to a few thousand at most), but even that can make a difference when you’re starting out or in need.
Specialist Trusts and Foundations: There are various trusts that fund music projects, often with specific focuses. For example, the PRS Members’ Fund (separate from PRS Foundation) assists musicians in crisis; the Drake YolanDa Award gives grants to emerging artists (especially in genres like jazz, soul, etc.); the Steve Reid Innovation Award (in partnership with PRS Foundation) supports unsigned artists making innovative music; the Help Musicians Fusion Fund (when active) supported genre-crossing projects; and many more. These opportunities often pop up through industry news or sites like The Unsigned Guide or Youth Music Network. It’s worth subscribing to newsletters or following organisations on social media so you hear about new funds or competitions.
Corporate and Sponsorship Opportunities: Occasionally, brands or companies run schemes for musicians – for instance, an audio gear company might offer a competition to win studio equipment, or a festival might run a contest for a funded slot. While these aren’t “grants” per se, they are still funding opportunities (often in-kind support). Keep an eye out on music industry news for any such initiatives. Winning one can provide resources or exposure you might otherwise have to pay for.

As you can see, there’s a rich tapestry of music funding in the UK, from large government grants to niche awards. Many successful artists piece together support from multiple sources over time. One year you might crowdfund an EP, the next year get a small grant from PRS Foundation, and later secure an arts council grant for a bigger project. There’s no one-size path – the key is to seize the opportunities that match your vision and level.

Examples of funding in action:

UK rapper Little Simz is often cited as a funding success story – early in her career she received Momentum Fund grants which helped pay for her debut album’s production, touring and promotion. That investment paid off: she reached a wider audience while staying independent, and eventually won the Mercury Prize in 2022. Another example is Sam Fender, who before topping charts, was a recipient of PRS Foundation’s support (via Momentum) to record and tour, helping him break through nationally. Countless emerging artists across genres – from classical composers to metal bands – have similar stories of that crucial grant or award that elevated their work. With the right opportunity, music project grants can truly be career-launching.

Now that we’ve covered who can fund you, let’s turn to how to actually secure that funding. In the next section, we’ll share some tips on crafting strong applications and increasing your odds of success.

Crowdfunding in action: case studies

Crowdfunding isn’t just theory – loads of artists are already using it (often with match funding on top). Here are some real-world examples you can learn from and borrow ideas from.

1. Dean Owens & The Sinners

Scottish songwriter Dean Owens used Crowdfunder to fund Glimmers, a new album with his band The Sinners, recorded in Italy.

What the campaign looked like

Aim: Record a new album of original songs in Italy with his band, inspired by the idea of “glimmers” – small moments of light and joy. See their Crowdfunder
Total raised: £27,891 from 236 supporters – hitting the main target with a week to spare and then moving into a stretch target.
Extra boost: The project was selected for Creative Scotland Crowdmatch, which added £10,000 of match funding on top of fan pledges.
Rewards:
- Pre-orders of the album (digital, CD, vinyl)
- A secret “first listen” gig in Edinburgh
- Access to a private online “secret room” with video diaries and updates
- Personalised goodies like a whistled theme tune and “Executive Producer” credits

Why it worked

Clear story: Dean framed the project around “glimmers” – tiny moments of joy on tour – and explained why recording in Italy with his band mattered artistically.
Transparent budget: He listed exactly what the money would cover – travel, studio hire, engineer, paying the band, guest musicians, mixing, mastering, artwork and promotion.
Solid track record: He pointed to 12 previous albums, good press, and his existing fanbase – reassuring supporters and funders that he could deliver.
Match funding narrative: He explicitly thanked Creative Scotland’s Match Funding Scheme and highlighted that their support was helping to make the album happen, which validates the project in fans’ eyes.

What you can copy

Use Crowdfunder rewards to pre-sell your record and bundle experiences (secret gigs, Q&As, behind-the-scenes access).
Be very specific about what the funding pays for – it builds trust.
If you’re in Scotland, apply for Creative Scotland Crowdmatch so every fan pledge can unlock extra money.

2. Shooglenifty – 10th Studio Album

Legendary Scottish “acid croft” band Shooglenifty are using Crowdfunder to record, produce and release their 10th studio album.

Campaign snapshot

Aim: Fund the recording, production and release of the band’s 10th album – a milestone after 30 years of touring the world. See their Crowdfunder
Funding: At the time of writing, they’d raised £13,858 against a £10,000 target (138% funded) from 152 supporters.
Extra funding: The project has already received £5,000 of match funding from Creative Scotland Crowdmatch – fans’ donations are literally unlocking extra public funding.
Messaging: The campaign leans into their long history – from early gigs in Edinburgh’s Cowgate to touring places like Sydney Opera House and Mexico City – and invites that global community to help them mark a “watershed moment” with album #10.

Why it works

Community first: They speak directly to their “Shooglenifty family” – people who’ve followed them for decades – and make supporters feel part of the next chapter.
Match funding front and centre: The page literally says “Your donation unlocks match funding,” making every pledge feel more powerful.
Storytelling over hard sell: They spend time introducing each band member with personality and humour, which makes the page feel like hanging out with the band rather than a corporate pitch.

What you can copy

Talk to your supporters like people who know you, not like a grant panel.
If you have any kind of history (EPs, tours, sessions), tell that story – it reassures supporters that you’ll finish the project.
Spell out match funding clearly so backers know their £20 might effectively become £40.

3. Hamish Napier – The Hill

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Hamish Napier used Crowdfunder to support The Hill, part four of his Strathspey folk “pentalogy”.

Campaign snapshot

Aim: Fund a big folk album about the hills of Strathspey and the Cairngorms, plus a companion folklore book. See their Crowdfunder
Funding: Over £22,000 raised from 386 supporters, working towards a £25,000 stretch target.
Match funding: Creative Scotland Crowdmatch has provided £8,500 in match funding, on top of fan pledges.
Blended finance: Hamish combined Patreon support, commissions, and Crowdfunder + match funding to complete this “beast” of an album.

Why it works

Long-term vision: The album is part of a five-record series about his home area, so supporters feel like they’re backing a bigger artistic journey.
Insanely clear plan: He breaks down exactly which stages are already funded and what this campaign will cover (completing recording, mixing/mastering, book writing, artwork, promotion).
Layered audience: Patreon fans, local supporters, folk scene, and Creative Scotland all stack together – no single source is bearing all the weight.

What you can copy

Show what you’ve already done (demos, previous albums, research) so the crowdfunder feels like a final push, not a vague dream.
Use Crowdfunder as one piece of the puzzle alongside Patreon, gigs, commissions, etc.
If your project has a strong local or cultural angle, say that clearly – match funders love that.

4. Community example – SambaYaBamba Youth Street Band

Not just for albums: Crowdfunder + Creative Scotland has also powered large-scale community music projects.

Glasgow’s SambaYaBamba Youth Street Band used Crowdfunder and Creative Scotland Crowdmatch to raise £50,130 from 375 supporters to keep their free, inclusive street band for 11–25-year-olds running.Find out more
The project offered a mix of community-focused rewards and made a strong case for wellbeing, inclusion and keeping Scotland’s musical traditions alive.

For you, this kind of example is useful if you’re:

Running a youth band, choir, community music project or grassroots festival, or
Looking to show a grant panel that crowdfunding + match funding is a proven model for community impact.

Tips for a successful funding application

1. Apply where you fit
Focus on grants that match your genre, career stage, and project goals. Carefully check eligibility – for example, if a grant is only for solo artists or under-30s, don’t force an application if that’s not you. This avoids wasting time and boosts your chance of success.

2. Prepare in advance
Start early. Make a checklist: project summary, budget, audio or video samples, bio/CV, letters of support, etc. Draft answers well ahead of the deadline. Some platforms (e.g., Arts Council England) require advance registration – do this early to avoid technical issues.

3. Tell a compelling story
Describe your project clearly: what it is, why it matters, and how you’ll deliver it. Use plain, passionate language – avoid buzzwords or genre-specific slang. Highlight what’s unique: are you fusing genres, working with underrepresented voices, or doing a concept album? Make your vision easy to understand, even for someone unfamiliar with your music scene.

4. Emphasise outcomes and impact
Funders want results. Show how your project will benefit your career and others. Examples: “This EP will help me reach national radio,” or “I’ll run workshops for 30 young people, ending with a public gig.” Quantify where you can: number of songs, attendees, streams, gigs, etc. Connect to the funder’s aims – like innovation, public engagement, or accessibility.

5. Create a realistic budget
List all costs line-by-line: studio time, mixing/mastering, producer fees, session musicians, equipment hire, travel, venue hire, marketing, merch, PR, and artwork. Get quotes where possible. Make sure total income equals total costs. Include your own funds, expected ticket or merch income, and crowdfunding. Follow any rules (e.g., PRS Foundation allows up to 20% on equipment).

6. Provide match funding (if you can)
Show you’re not relying entirely on the grant. Match funding could come from personal savings, crowdfunding, gig income, or discounts from partners (e.g., studio giving free hours). Even small amounts help. Be honest about what’s confirmed vs. estimated.

7. Follow guidelines closely
Answer all questions fully. Stick to word limits and required formats. Attach everything requested (like MP3s, lyric sheets, or a bio). Many applications are rejected for missing files or going over the word count.

8. Be clear, specific, and confident
Avoid vague claims. Instead of “this project will be amazing,” say “this will be my first UK tour after a sold-out hometown show of 200.” Mention any press coverage, radio play, awards, or past gigs to show track record. Explain unfamiliar acronyms. Let your achievements speak, but stay grounded.

9. Proofread and double-check
Fix typos, check that budget numbers add up, and confirm that all links (e.g., YouTube or SoundCloud) work. Ensure you’re using the right file formats (MP3 for audio, MP4 for video). Double-check that everything’s uploaded properly and review your application from a fresh perspective.

10. Be honest and deliverable
Only promise what you can realistically do. Funders require final reports and sometimes receipts. If something changes later (e.g., a venue or collaborator drops out), you can usually inform the funder and adjust. Stick to a plan you believe in.

11. Learn from rejection (and success)
Rejection is common – use feedback to improve. Many artists apply multiple times before success. If you do get funding, deliver well and stay in touch with the funder – they may offer future opportunities or spotlight your work. Keep records of your spending and share outcomes – it builds trust and a stronger track record.

Conclusion

Music funding takes persistence — but the UK has more support available for musicians than most artists realise. Whether you’re combining a PRS Foundation grant with a Crowdfunder campaign, unlocking Creative Scotland Crowdmatch, or simply putting your next project in front of the people who already love your work, the tools are there. The best time to start is before you need the money.

Browse live match funding →
Start your campaign →

Sources:

Musicians’ Union – Financing and Funding for Musicians (overview of UK music funding bodies)musiciansunion.org.uk musiciansunion.org.uk
Nesta – Arts and heritage sector explores potential of matched crowdfunding (definition of matched crowdfunding)nesta.org.uk nesta.org.uk
PRS Foundation – Little Simz case study & funding impact (example of Momentum fund usage)prsfoundation.com
Arts Derbyshire – PRS Foundation PPL Momentum Fund Now Open (Momentum Fund details and recipient examples)artsderbyshire.org.uk
NI Business Info – Music Export Growth Scheme (export grant for touring/marketing overseas)nibusinessinfo.co.uk nibusinessinfo.co.uk
DJ Mag – Youth Music NextGen Fund increases grant amount (support for young music creators up to £3,000)djmag.com
Musicians’ Union – How to Complete a Funding Application (application best practices)musiciansunion.org.uk musiciansunion.org.uk

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How Sport Wales helped Machen RFC secure their future

Tom Wood — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:03:37 +0000

Raised £28,451 from 152 supporters

+£11,000 +Extra funding from Sport Wales: A Place for Sport

Machen RFC, based in the village of Machen in Caerphilly, has a thriving mini and junior section with around 150 children, alongside youth and senior teams. They are also planning to introduce walking rugby to make the sport accessible for older generations.

“For over 150 years, Machen RFC has stood proudly at the heart of our village – not just as a rugby club, but as a community cornerstone,” the club wrote on their Crowdfunder page.

The clubhouse provides free space for local community groups, hosting everything from co-working sessions to open surgeries. It is a true hub for the area, offering social, sporting and wellbeing benefits for all ages.

The Challenge

The clubhouse roof had become old, leaking and unsafe. Water was seeping into the upstairs function room, bar and ladies toilets, causing damage to timbers, plaster and walls. With tiles more than 50 years old in places and flat roof sections failing, patching repairs were no longer enough.

Without action, there was a real risk of losing not just a building, but a piece of the village’s identity.

The Crowdfunding Campaign

To safeguard the future of their clubhouse, Machen RFC turned to Crowdfunder. Their project set out to:

Replace the pitched roof at the front and back of the clubhouse
Replace all flat roof sections
Remove damaged tiles and inspect timber for repair or replacement
Install new tiles, guttering and insulation
Use trusted local contractors to complete the work

The campaign gave supporters the opportunity to back a project that would keep the club at the heart of the community for generations to come.

“Whether you’re a former player, local resident, business owner, or rugby fan – this is your chance to be part of our legacy,” the club appealed to supporters.

Funding & Results

The campaign launched with a target of £28,450. By the time it closed on 10 June 2025, Machen RFC had hit and slightly surpassed that goal, raising £28,451 from 152 supporters.

A crucial factor in their success was the £11,000 of match funding from Sport Wales’ A Place for Sport fund, which helped drive momentum and provided confidence for the community to rally behind the project.

Outcomes & Impact

Thanks to the support received, Machen RFC can now:

Ensure their clubhouse is safe, warm and dry for all who use it
Protect a heritage building with more than 150 years of history
Provide secure facilities for their mini, junior, youth and senior rugby teams
Introduce walking rugby and expand their inclusive offer
Continue hosting community groups, meetings and services in a functional and welcoming space

“Your donation will keep our youth, minis, and senior teams training and thriving,” the club wrote. “It will provide a safe, warm space for community events and preserve over 150 years of local sporting heritage.”

The new roof is not just a repair. It is an investment in the future of the club and its role in the wider community.

Challenges & Learnings

With the roof secured, Machen RFC is looking forward to a more sustainable future. The upgraded clubhouse means they can focus on expanding their sporting offer, growing walking rugby, and strengthening their role as a social and community hub.

“Show future generations what a united community can achieve,” the club urged – a message that perfectly captures the spirit of the campaign.

The success of the project has also given the club confidence in crowdfunding as a tool for future improvements.

Thinking about crowdfunding for your sports facilities? Find out if you could be eligible to receive up to £15,000 from Sport Wales!

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