
The secret to Community Share Offer success
October 2025
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
- Confirm eligibility – You’re planning to raise at least £100,000 in repayable finance (community shares, loans, or social investment).
- Select Fundsurfer as your Access Point when completing your Stage One Reach Fund access point:
Apply here
- Share your draft application with us – we’ll review and advise before submission.
- 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
Contact us:
info@fundsurfer.com | www.fundsurfer.com
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