How to successfully raise funding through a community share offer

Powered by Fundsurfer — a Reach Fund Access Point

Why use the Reach Fund + Fundsurfer approach?

The Reach Fund provides grants of up to £15,000 to help community organisations become investment ready — covering the essential costs of launching and promoting a community share offer (CSO) or other social-investment raise. We advise a minimum raise of £100,000 for a community share offer. 

As an approved Access Point, Fundsurfer can refer you directly to apply and help you design a successful, fully funded offer.

The “Secret Sauce” — Proven Ingredients for a Successful CSO

When combined with Reach Fund support, these are the key building blocks that set strong projects apart:

Essential element

Typical cost

Purpose

Community share offer setup

£3,000–

£5,000

Legal, admin and offer-document costs

Platform fees 

£3,000–

£5,000

Listing, hosting, payment processing

Promotion & marketing

£3,000

Design, PR, outreach & media

Staff investment-readiness time

£1,500

Dedicated internal delivery time

Expert consultant support

£2,000

Financial modelling, offer structure, compliance

Total: ~£12,500–£15,000 — typically fully fundable via Reach Fund grant.

The other half of the secret

Line up 30–50% of your target in advance through private investors, local donors, or community supporters.
Fundsurfer can help you identify, engage, and convert these early investors, dramatically improving your chance of success.

Example: Stokes Croft Land Trust

Exclusive 2025–2026 Offer

To further support community organisations, Fundsurfer is offering a reduced success fee of just 2.5% and an upfront set up fee of £2500 on all community share offers launched in 2025 and 2026.

This ensures more of the capital you raise goes directly to your project.

How to apply via Fundsurfer

1. Confirm eligibility – You’re planning to raise at least £100,000 in repayable finance (community shares, loans, or social investment).
    
2. Select Fundsurfer as your Access Point when completing your Stage One Reach Fund access point:
   Apply here
    
3. Share your draft application with us – we’ll review and advise before submission.
    
4. Reach Fund decision – typically within 2–4 weeks.
    

Why work with Fundsurfer?

• Experienced platform with 400+ successful raises (£46m+ funded)
   
• Expert in community finance, social investment, and blended funding
   
• Approved Reach Fund Access Point providing full support from start to finish
   
• 2.5% low success-fee offer for 2025–2026
  

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Contact us:
info@fundsurfer.com | www.fundsurfer.com