Crowdfunder: Proven fundraising for cricket clubs

In association with Crowdfunder UK, here’s a look at the success of crowdfunding for cricket clubs, Sport England match funding and their monthly webinars.

Crowdfunding has been proven to work time and again for recreational cricket. With 150+ cricket projects, £1.2m+ raised for cricket and over 15,000 supporters donating to cricket projects on the Crowdfunder website, this is a fundraising method with huge potential in 2025.

Crowdfunder for cricket clubs

The premise is simple enough: Plan a fundraising campaign with a clear outcome (it could be new outdoor nets, refurbishing the pavilion or launching new teams).

Talk to Crowdfunder’s experts to help you map out your idea, carefully consider a range of appealing rewards that supporters will like and how to promote the campaign across a set time period.

Where crowdfunding is different is that it’s rewards-based so a supporter might donate £5, £50 or £500 to your cricket club’s Crowdfunder page in exchange for products, discounts, experiences or tickets to events.

As well as members and their wider network, cricket clubs often tap into local businesses or sponsors who donate products or services.

The thing I hear most in recreational cricket is how tough is to for volunteers who continually ask the same people for funds.

Crowdfunding succeeds because there’s a clear goal, a tight deadline (normally a month or two) and ways that supporters can help financially while also being rewarded.

It reaches beyond postcodes, county boundaries and countries. Anyone in the world can donate to your cause if you’ve made a compelling reason to.

Absolutely key in all of this is bells-and-whistles fanfare, promotion and publicity right the way through. Human interest and getting to the heart of how your project will change lives is a game-changer.

If your cricket club wants to raise tens of thousands of pounds in a matter of months (which many have) – then you need to tell a story and everyone wants to feel part of the journey.

Sport England match funding

Crowdfunder is a trusted crowdfundraising website who partner with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sport England to support communities across the UK.

In 2025, extra funding is available for cricket clubs using Crowdfunder of up to £15,000 each of Sport England money. That’s a major incentive to map out an exciting campaign and deliver a project to the benefit of many.

Cricket crowdfunding examples in Yorkshire

If you’re a regular reader of our website, you’ll know I’ve long been an advocate of Crowdfunder so I’m really pleased that Cricket Yorkshire is partnering with them. Examples like Harrogate CC and New Rover have shown what’s possible in a short space of time.

Morley Cricket Club of the Bradford Premier League (see video above) have used Crowdfunder to raise £33,000+ for new nets, training facilities and sightscreens while they’re in the midst of a push for a changing room refurb.

My local club Bingley Congs raised £17,084 with 108 supporters in 28 days that went towards new outdoor nets and a bar refurb. The transformation at Beckfoot Lane since has been incredible.

If you explore Crowdfunder’s cricket hub then you can see so many projects that have succeeded, what was raised and crucially how it was put together.

🏏 See Yorkshire projects on Crowdfunder

MONTHLY WEBINAR: How to raise funds to keep your community active

If you’re thinking a crowdfunding project could transform your cricket club this year, go along to one of the monthly webinars.

During the 60 minute online workshop you’ll learn about:

• How crowdfunding works
• Available match funding and how you can access it
• Guidance and support available

You’ll also hear insights from a previous physical activity focused project who has successfully crowdfunded.

So, imagine a year from now… what would really transform your cricket club for everyone who uses it?

Visit Crowdfunder to get excited about the possibilities and join the webinar to learn more.

*This is Partner Content for Crowdfunder – if the mood takes you, click to read Cricket Yorkshire’s policy on Partner Content.