Place-based giving is all about harnessing people power- bringing together our combined energy, talents, and skills for the benefit of local people. Everybody has something to give back- whether it’s time, money, resources, space, or expertise.



We recognise that funding can often be the missing piece of the puzzle needed to bring your idea to life. Because of this, Step Up MCR is now hosting your community Crowdfunder campaigns, enabling you to reach your fundraising targets. Fundraise in your way, with our support.

We want to invest in you! We can offer the promotion, connections, and match funding opportunities to raise the total of your fundraisers. 

1. Tell us your good idea and find out if we can host your Crowdfunder- head to our Communities page to find out how: https://www.stepupmcr.org/community-offer

2. We’ll work with you on the details of your Crowdfunder before it launches- this might include text and branding, the type of Crowdfunder, and the length of time.

3. Once you go live, we can promote your campaign! Our social media channels, partner networks, events, and community newspaper are an ideal way to spread the word.

4. We’ll help to boost your donations! This could include Step Up MCR match funding a percentage of what your donors give, securing donations from local businesses to reward your donors, or by seeking grants through Crowdfunder’s + Extra.

5. Once your Crowdfunder closes successfully, Step Up MCR will transfer the funds to you to grow your project! It’s that simple. Any fees we charge will be set our clearly within our terms and will be re invested into supporting and enabling other local projects to develop and grow. We will ensure you are provided with clear information so you know exactly how much you will be able to claim if your targets are met, and what will happen to any funding pledged if they are not. Step Up MCR will claim back the Gift Aid on your donations to reinvest in other charitable projects that benefit the local areas we work in.

We want anyone with a good idea for Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw to have access to the funding they need to grow their project. Funding can often be the key to turning a good idea into a sustainable project, which is why we want to invest in people-powered ideas for the benefit of the community.

We recognise that securing funding for new projects can sometimes be a barrier to getting started, especially if you are not incorporated or registered as an organisation.

We’re here to give a step up to local community projects, whether you’re starting from scratch or fundraising for that last extra bit towards your goal. You don’t even need to be incorporated or registered as an organisation.

Our team of local residents and partners will help to choose which Crowdfunder campaigns we host. Our Board will then decide on a project-to-project basis how much we might support with financially. Any match funding we might offer will depend on the size and scale of your project, or on how many projects we decide to host each year.

Yes, there are two types of Crowdfunder campaigns and we can help you decide on the best fit for your project.

All or Nothing - You will only receive your pledges if you hit your project target. These are best suited to projects that need to reach a set target in order to deliver a goal.

Keep What You Raise - You will keep all your pledges, whether your project hits your target or not.

‘All or Nothing’ projects generally raise more money but you do have to hit your target. ‘Keep What You Raise’ means you’ll keep all the money pledged by your supporters, but you’ll also have to fulfil all rewards no matter how much or how little is pledged.

As well as the match funding support Step Up MCR can offer, there are lots of benefits to using Crowdfunder.

Rewards - You can offer rewards to donors to make your Crowdfunder go further. Step Up MCR can support you to secure rewards, for example donated goods and services from local businesses.

+Extra - Crowdfunder’s +Extra scheme may be available to help you raise more funds from a selection of national and regional partners, depending on whether your project hits the funder’s criteria. See here to find out more: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds

Multiplier - Unleash the power of your crowd! Multiplier Crowdfunders allow your supporters to fundraise on your behalf when fundraising on a ‘keep what you raise’ basis.

Anyone can join in. Your friends, family members, colleagues or people in your community. They could be running, walking, riding, baking, dancing, dressing up, bringing and buying, busking, or car washing. Whoever it is and whatever they're doing, your supporters are working towards one common goal – yours.

Projects can run for a maximum of 8 weeks (56 days), but we believe the optimal duration for a Crowdfunding project is 4 weeks (28 days). There is always a spike of activity at the beginning and end of a project, so keeping your fundraiser relatively short allows you to maintain fundraising momentum.

All or Nothing – If you don't hit your project target, the money pledged will be refunded to your supporters. Your supporters will be notified by email that the project has not reached its target and they will therefore be refunded. You will not be charged any fees if an 'All or Nothing' project does not reach its target.

Keep What You Raise – You will receive any funds pledged on your project regardless of whether you reach your target or not. Your supporters will receive an email informing them when the project has closed.

We will chat before we launch your Crowdfunder to find out exactly what you need. If you have a loose fundraising target, any additional funding could still support your project.

If you have a specific target and it is exceeded, any additional funds may be used to support Step Up MCR’s other fantastic health and wellbeing projects in the local community. Don’t worry, we’ll always check with you first.

Get in touch via our Community Offer page and tell us your good idea!

We’ll contact you to let you know if we can support you and discuss whether a Crowdfunder campaign could work for you.

Our Crowdfunders are only possible with your support! Check out our Crowdfunder page to see our live community fundraising campaigns.

If you’re a UK taxpayer and donating from your own funds, you can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give from HMRC, at no cost to you! That means Gift Aid will increase your donation by 25% (for example, if you give £100 Gift Aid will boost your giving to £125).

Everything donated will go towards the project you’re supporting less any fees agreed, however, Step Up MCR will claim back the Gift Aid on your donation to help sustain and grow our charity allowing us to continue supporting fantastic projects in the community.

Your money will not be transferred to Step Up MCR until the project closes successfully. If the project doesn't close successfully, you will be refunded within five working days of the project closing. For example, if the fundraiser is held as an 'all or nothing'.

If a ‘keep what you raise’ Crowdfunder closes successfully, but the project is unable to go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances, Step Up MCR will use your donation to support other fantastic local projects with a community health and wellbeing focus in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw.

Head to our Projects page to see how else you might support people-powered projects in your area: https://www.stepupmcr.org/projects If you donate to a ‘keep what you raise’ Crowdfunder that has closed but cannot go ahead and would like to receive a refund, please contact us.

Not everybody can give back to the community financially, and that’s okay! If you have the skills, time, knowledge, space, resources or expertise to support a local project, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch! hello@stepupmcr.org

Head to Crowdfunder’s website for more FAQs:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/guides/faq

Or contact us, hello@stepupmcr.org