Provision of an online digital crowdfunding platform

Tender description

Portsmouth City Council ('the council') is inviting quotations from suitably qualified suppliers to provide an online digital crowdfunding platform. 2.1. Crowdfunding allows groups to upload project ideas onto an online platform which can attract funding from a wide range of individual, business and public body supporters, including the City Council utilising its grant funding. The online platform will provide a single point of entry, and each with different criteria, application forms, maximum award values and decision making processes. Challenges of complexity, risks of duplication, lack of consistency and reducing budgets have resulted in a new approach needing to be adopted. The benefits of moving to a crowdfunding model include: i. Funds go further as the City Council will not be the only contributors to a single eligible project and will therefore be able to award grant funding to more projects. ii. Greater visibility for groups on the platform increasing opportunities to secure funds from a range of sources. iii. An opportunity to attract key partners for joint funding. Community initiatives from banks, Solent LEP grants, Princes Trust Funds, etc to encourage activity (e.g. local regeneration, parks, sports and leisure, SME start-up and growth). Local businesses may put funds on the platform as a way to fulfil their corporate social responsibility aspirations. iv. Ease of tracking and monitoring the available requests and the contributions being offered v. Improving awareness of issues that are important to local communities vi. A collaborative approach to problem solving alongside residents, partners agencies and businesses. Portsmouth City Council therefore requires a dedicated, online, digital Portsmouth crowdfunding presence, in order to streamline requests for support for community projects, as well as transform the way the City Council engages with the community.