More than 18 million have been raised for the base sport throughout the United Kingdom since 2018, thanks to a pioneering association between Crowdfunder and Sport England, a milestone held last week in a special event in the House of Commons.
The event brought together parliamentarians, financing partners, sports agencies and community leaders, who gathered to reflect on the success of the combined crowdfunding model and to discuss how it can become a cornerstone of future sports funds in Britain.
Through the collaboration, around 1,000 campaigns led by the community have received success with funds with the additional financing program of Sport England that coincide with the local fundraising efforts to double the impact. The results have been a wave of investment in sports clubs and basic initiatives that could otherwise have had problems surviving.
“This event is a real celebration of two things: the power of the sport and power of the community to transform lives,” Dawn Baby, Co-Coo or Crowdfunder said. “What we build with Sport England is proof that when the two come together, a real change is possible.”
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, emphasized the urgency of finding sustainable and innovative community financing models as traditional sources such as the National Lottery become increasingly limited.
“Lottery tickets are not increasing,” he said. “That is why each penny counts. Community behaviors, initiatives financed by parties such as this are vital for the future of sport in this country.”
The message of Stephanie Peacock echoed the message (in the photo), Minister of Sports, who called the Crowdfunder-Sport “Phenomenal” association and praised the model for allowing access to sport despite financial and regional inequalities.
“Despite economic pressures, crowdfunding continues to unlock opportunities for better health, stronger communities and greater participation,” he said.
For Lisa Dodd-Mayne, director of Sport England places, the event underlined the need to rethink how sport is financed and accessed throughout the country.
“Where he lives affects his ability to be active. His bank balance shapes his life opportunities. And that is not fair,” he said. “We are changing the way we work: go to the places and people who need it most.”
The event was not only a celebration, but a call to action, with the attendees to think boldly about the role of brands, political leaders and corporate partners to support this emerging model of donations distributed and directed by the community.
An executive summary of the event is now notable, offering key ideas before a Sport England strengthening report, which will explore how crowdfunding can play a transforming role in the future sports financing ecosystem of the United Kingdom.
Crowdfunder and Sport England are inviting new partners and organizations with ideas or initiatives to join the conversation and help remodel how sport is supported from the bases.
For communities throughout the United Kingdom, the message is clear: when the local passion meets the coincident financing, the real impact follows, and the future of sport can be in the hands of the crowd.
Paul Jones
Harvard Alumni and former New York Times journalist. Business Matters editor for about 15 years, the largest commercial magazine of the UKs. I am also head of the Automotive Capital Division Business Media who works for clients such as Red Bull Racing, Honda, Aston Martin and Infiniti.
