How Crickhowell FC Raised Over £10,000 for Community-Driven Upgrades

In May 2024, Crickhowell FC successfully raised £10,410 from 124 supporters on Crowdfunder, including £4,000 from +Extra funding partner Sport Wales “A Place For Sport” fund.

Founded in 1878, Crickhowell FC is a community-driven football club serving all age groups, from under-6s to seniors, with around 250 registered players. The club also engages the local community through non-sporting events such as bonfire nights and car boot sales. Despite its rich history, Crickhowell FC’s facilities at Elvicta Football Ground were outdated and needed upgrades to meet the growing needs of its members and to improve accessibility.

In 2023, the club launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for necessary improvements, including installing disabled access ramps, extending the clubhouse, and increasing seating capacity. The campaign was part of a broader initiative to reduce the club’s carbon footprint and create a more inclusive environment, including plans for a women’s football team.

Campaign Objectives
The crowdfunding campaign was launched with the following objectives:

• Achieve a zero-carbon footprint for the club.
• Establish a women’s football team by the 2025-2026 season.
• Improve accessibility for disabled individuals and enhance facilities for female spectators.

Crowdfunding Strategy
Crickhowell FC set a target of £10,000 to fund part of the upgrades needed. Adam from Crickhowell FC explained the motivation behind the campaign: “We all started off really with the ambition of becoming zero carbon footprint across the board, but also by having a women’s football team by the 25/26 season, and enhancing our facilities… for disabled people.”

The campaign offered a variety of rewards for supporters, ranging from general donations starting at £10 to business sponsorships for £165. One of the most popular rewards was the opportunity to sponsor seats at £30 each. Adam said, “One that took off really well was sponsoring a seat at the ground… We sold 60 seats at £30 each.”

Adam also credited other successful campaigns for inspiration: “I took little gold nuggets from their page and just made it into my own,” referring to other football clubs’ crowdfunding efforts.

Results
The campaign raised a total of £10,410 from 124 supporters, which included £4,000 from Sport Wales through their +Extra funding initiative. The funds will be used for key projects, such as:

• Installing access ramps for individuals with mobility issues.
• Expanding the clubhouse to include facilities for women and disabled individuals.
• Increasing the seating capacity and improving the bar area.

The campaign resonated strongly with the local community, with Adam noting, “It really hit home with our community, and they understood our purpose because it sort of coincided with the government push on diversity, inclusion, and the need to be environmentally friendly as well.”

Challenges and Learnings
One of the significant challenges was maintaining momentum throughout the campaign. Adam shared his strategy for overcoming this: “Break it down into smaller stages like weekly goals… and actually plan events.” The club organised events such as race nights to sustain engagement and keep the campaign visible.

Adam also addressed initial skepticism from some members of the club. He noted, “Once they see the money coming in, they automatically then turn a complete 180, and they are on board.” The success of the crowdfunding effort helped convert doubters into supporters.

Unlocking Additional Funding
The well-organised crowdfunding page helped Crickhowell FC access additional funding, including £4,000 from Sport Wales. The campaign made grant applications easier, with Adam noting, “The step-by-step guides within the crowdfunding page just made it really, really easy.” The structured approach not only raised funds but also created a useful template for future funding applications.

Future Plans
The success of the campaign has encouraged Crickhowell FC to continue using crowdfunding as part of its fundraising strategy. As Adam enthusiastically said, “Well, I am doing it again… It becomes slightly addictive once you realize you can be successful in things like this.” The club plans to build on this momentum for future projects and improvements.

Conclusion
Crickhowell FC’s crowdfunding campaign raised over £10,000 to improve facilities at Elvicta Football Ground, demonstrating how a grassroots sports club can leverage community support for meaningful upgrades. By breaking the campaign into manageable stages, offering appealing rewards, and aligning with community values, the club successfully exceeded its fundraising target. Adam’s key advice for others considering crowdfunding is simple: “Consistency is really key, but yeah, try and break it down into bite sized chunks. Otherwise, you know… It dawns on you really, on the size of your project. So yeah, break it down as much as possible.”

This case study highlights how effective crowdfunding can be for grassroots organisations looking to engage their community and achieve long-term growth. If you have a sports club that could benefit from crowdfunding, get started today.