Success stories from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund

Last chance to apply for up to £50,000 from the Resilience Fund 

In recent years, communities all over the UK have been facing significant challenges due to the rising cost of living. Recognising the urgency of this situation, Crowdfunder has partnered with Access: The Foundation for Social Investment to launch the Cost of Living Resilience Fund. This initiative aims to support social sector organisations in their efforts to develop enterprises that can help alleviate the financial pressures on their communities. The fund has already seen remarkable success, and today, we’re excited to highlight six crowdfunding projects that have thrived with the help of this +Extra funding.

About the Cost of Living Resilience Fund

The Cost of Living Resilience Fund is designed to provide match funding for social sector organisations running enterprise development projects. By offering up to £50,000 in extra funding, the initiative helps these organisations reach their crowdfunding targets and make a tangible impact in their communities.

Whether it’s by creating jobs, providing essential services, or fostering community spirit, the projects supported by this fund are driving positive change at a grassroots level.

Successful Projects

1. Coexist Community Kitchen

Location: Bristol
+Extra Funding Received: £37,500 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund

Coexist Community Kitchen in Bristol focuses on using food to bring people together and provide support during tough times. They offer cooking classes, community meals, and workshops aimed at fostering community spirit and teaching valuable culinary skills.

With the help of the match funding, Coexist Community Kitchen has been able to expand its programmes, reaching more people in need and creating a welcoming space where everyone can come together to learn, share, and support one another. This has led to increased social cohesion and provided vital support to those struggling with the cost of living crisis.

2. Loveland

Location: Penryn, Cornwall
+Extra Funding Received: £18,750 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, plus Aviva Community Fund, and Cornwall Council

Loveland in Penryn, Cornwall, is committed to creating a community farm that focuses on sustainable agriculture and food security. Their mission includes growing food locally, providing educational workshops, and developing a green space for community use.

Originally setting a target of £25,000, Loveland has impressively surpassed this goal, raising £46,765 to date. This includes £18,750 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund and additional funding from the Aviva Community Fund and Cornwall Council.

This support has enabled Loveland to advance the development of the farm, engage local residents in the growing process, and offer training sessions on sustainable practices. The project not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes community engagement, self-sufficiency, and environmental stewardship.

3. Hidden Help Cornwall

Location: Cornwall
+Extra Funding Received: £15,510 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, plus Aviva Community Fund and Cornwall Council

Hidden Help Cornwall focuses on providing essential furniture and household items to families and individuals in need, ensuring they have the necessary resources to live comfortably. Their initial fundraising target was £23,500, but they have far exceeded this, raising over £51,000 with the support of more than 250 backers.

This impressive total includes £15,510 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, as well as additional contributions from the Aviva Community Fund and Cornwall Council.

The funds raised have allowed Hidden Help Cornwall to expand their services, reach more people in need, and ensure that more households in the community are adequately furnished and equipped to handle the cost of living crisis.

4. Paint with Purpose

Location: Leeds
+Extra Funding Received: £14,625 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, plus extra funding from Aviva Community Fund and Solus Employee Giving

Paint with Purpose in Leeds is committed to environmental sustainability and community support through the innovative reuse of paint. They focus on reprocessing paint that would otherwise end up in landfill and selling it in their store.

To date, they have reprocessed over 4 million litres of paint, enough to fill two Olympic swimming pools. Initially targeting a smaller fundraising goal, the project has successfully raised over £26,000, including £14,625 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund and additional funding from the Aviva Community Fund and Solus Employee Giving.

With this support, Paint with Purpose aims to provide paint packs to over 250 households in need, helping to improve their living conditions while also promoting environmental responsibility. In a message to their supporters, they expressed their gratitude, noting that this “amazing amount of money will mean we can make a big difference to many people and divert a lot of paint away from landfill.” This financial backing allows Paint with Purpose to expand their efforts in both environmental sustainability and community well-being, making a significant impact on both fronts.

5. Big River Bakery

Location: Newcastle
+Extra Funding Received: £20,000 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund

Big River Bakery in Newcastle is a social enterprise dedicated to breaking barriers and building a stronger, more inclusive society. Employing 16 individuals at a real living wage, with a quarter of the team representing the neuro-diverse and those facing mental health challenges, the bakery not only provides delicious food but also creates meaningful employment opportunities.

With £20,000 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund and support from over 380 backers, Big River Bakery flew past their target to raise over £34,000!

In an update to supporters, they shared, “A very big thank you to everyone who has made it possible. The kindness of strangers is something that is so humbling.”

6. On Your Bike (OYB)

Location: Taunton
+Extra Funding Received: £11,250 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund

On Your Bike (OYB) in Taunton is a charity dedicated to providing refurbished bicycles and training to those in need.

Their recent campaign aimed to raise funds for a van to transport bikes and equipment, essential for expanding their services and reaching more people. With support from 99 backers, including £11,250 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, OYB has successfully raised a total of £19,360.

In an update to their supporters, OYB expressed their gratitude: “Thank you once again, we are humbled by the amount of people who have taken the time to donate.” The new van will enable OYB to deliver bikes, conduct maintenance workshops, and enhance their community outreach programs, empowering individuals through mobility and skill-building.

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Last chance to apply for up to £50,000 from the Resilience Fund 

These inspiring stories demonstrate the incredible impact that the Cost of Living Resilience Fund can have on communities across the UK.

If you need to raise funds for your community project, your initiative could be eligible for match funding. There’s still time to apply and make a difference in your community. To find out more and apply for this match funding, visit the Cost of Living Resilience Fund page.

Let’s continue to support each other and build resilient communities together.