Help build and access better finance for community asset developers
Across the UK, community organisations are transforming and regenerating neighbourhoods, by developing vital buildings, assets and land. Yet too often their ambitions are constrained by a finance system that was not designed for community-led development.
Power to Change and the Mycelial Network are working together to change this. You can read more about our strategy and the work we are doing here.
We’ve already made significant progress, working closely with a small group of Community Asset Developers (CADs)* to generate deep insights, and engaging potential investors. Now, we want to bring more community organisations into the conversation: broadening our evidence base, connecting organisations with shared challenges and ambitions, and building a stronger collective voice for change.
*the term Community Asset Developer refers to a wide variety of community-led organisations (and legal forms). What unites them is the shared aim of regenerating neighbourhoods through protecting and developing assets.
Why we are asking CADs to complete this survey
To design the right financial solutions, we need wider information on the capacities, needs and ambitions of CADs: what organisations already own, what they plan to buy or build, and the amount and type of finance they need, when they need it, and on what terms. This evidence will help us test and refine our thinking, while making a stronger case for a new approach to community asset finance.
What your answers will help to achieve
- Show where there is demand for finance, what kind and under what terms, so the case for better investment is based on real data
- Directly inform the co-design of finance opportunities that better suit community asset developers.
- Help potential investors to see the opportunities that CADs bring and the value they create.
How this survey – and our work – can help you
We will publish the findings based on the (anonymised) data that we collect through this survey, and share this with you.
If you choose, we will also add you to a reference list, so that we can contact you regarding further opportunities. These might include: invitations to take part in the ongoing co-design of this work (for example: workshops with finance providers), information about new finance products, introductions to mission-aligned investors.
Who should complete the survey, how long will it take, and what information is needed?
The survey should be completed by someone who understands your organisation's finances and development plans, such as a chief executive, finance lead, founder, trustee or senior manager.
The survey takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.
It may help to have the following to hand:
- Your Companies House, charity, or FCA Mutuals Register number.
- Information on past, current or planned asset developments.
- Your latest accounts, which may help you answer some questions.
What's covered in the survey?
The survey has three sections:
- Your organisation and assets.
- Your finance needs and future plans.
- The impact your organisation creates.