For community-led organisations looking to enhance their existing facilities, securing the necessary funding can be a challenging task. In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical strategies to help you obtain the required financial support and get an accurate quote for your project. Whether you’re seeking grants, considering crowd-funding or planning a steel building project, these tips will assist you in navigating the process more effectively.
1. Exploring Funding Avenues
Many clubs face difficulties in determining the level of funding they can realistically achieve, often resulting in under-ambitious or over-ambitious projects. To overcome this, consider the following funding avenues:
a) Sport England and the Inspired Facilities Grant: One of the popular funding sources for sports-related projects.
b) Landfill Grants and Governing Bodies: Explore grants offered by local authorities and governing bodies aligned with your organisation’s mission.
c) Crowd-funding: A modern approach that not only simplifies paperwork but also engages the community and fosters essential local connections.
2. Assessing Project Costs
Determining the exact cost of your project can be a challenge, especially without planning permission or specific design details. Here are some tips to help you with this process:
a) Seek Pro Bono Advice: Approach local companies or architects who may be willing to offer rough estimates or advice pro bono.
b) Task Division: Assign members of the project task force to research and compile real costs for each item involved in the project, including labour expenses.
3. Appointing the Right Contractor
Choosing the right steel building contractor is crucial to the success of your project. Follow these steps to ensure you select a reliable and experienced contractor:
a) Recommendations: Look for contractors with high recommendations from previous clients who have undertaken similar projects.
b) Financial Stability: Check the contractor’s financial stability by researching their history with Companies House, especially if a deposit payment is required.
c) Insurance Coverage: Verify that the contractor holds professional indemnity insurance for design-related work and public liability insurance up to £10 million.
d) Accreditation: Check if the contractor is accredited by reputable construction bodies like SMAS, CHAS and the safe contractor scheme.
e) Request References: Ask for references if the contractor hasn’t provided them willingly.
4. Analysing the Quotation and Accounting for Contingency
Once you’ve received a quotation, carefully review the details and ensure you’re satisfied with its content. Depending on the project’s size, it’s advisable to enter into a basic construction contract to protect your organisation’s interests.
Conclusion
Sourcing initial funding and obtaining accurate quotes for community-led projects can be a daunting task. However, by exploring various funding avenues, assessing project costs meticulously, appointing the right steel building contractor and analysing quotations carefully, you can set your organisation up for a successful and sustainable future. With thorough planning and attention to detail, your community-led organisation can achieve its goals and continue making a positive impact in the community.
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