Brass Bands England has partnered with Crowdfunder, the UK’s largest crowdfunding platform, to help bands raise much-needed funds this Christmas. Launching with a free online drop-in session on Wednesday 5 October, those wishing to take part are encouraged to come along and start planning their campaigns now.
Following the success of the 2021 campaign, #BrassBandsAtChristmas will return to offer communities across the UK the chance to engage with their local brass band during the festive period as well as help bands raise vital funds. Many community bands used long-earned funds to support over the COVID period, meaning they are now struggling to invest in youth projects, building maintenance and instrument repairs.
Bands who take part will offer a paid-for ‘Reward’ to those who pledge funds to the band at various levels, anything from £10 for a festive CD to £100 for a live performance on their street.
Participating bands have the option to attend expert coaching sessions delivered by senior staff-members at Crowdfunder, helping to set up a crowdfunding page, market your campaign, and retain your new audiences.
Participation also offers potential access to Crowdfunders pot of +Extra funding from a selection of national and regional partners, which several bands benefited from during 2021.
The campaign itself will launch nationally on 23 November with three weeks of intense promotion, ending on 14 December. During this period a central PR and marketing campaign delivered by Brass Bands England will support activity as well as showcase brass bands on a national level, raising awareness of banding within communities as well as offering increased listening opportunities at a time of year traditionally associated with brass band music. Many bands will continue their fundraising up until Christmas and beyond.
Those planning on participating can also join the campaign’s Facebook Group to share progress, updates and ideas with other bands taking part.
#BrassBandsAtChristmas is open to all brass bands, including non-members of BBE, via crowdfunder.co.uk/brassbands.
Further coaching sessions include how to make a great Crowdfunding page, how to promote your page, and how to use the marketing and social media toolkit. For those who can’t join live, recordings will be made available in the BBE Member Resources Library.