Can you chip in?
What's the challenge?
Streetbank is a not-for-profit movement, born in 2010 and originally funded out of my and my friend, Ryan’s pockets.
Recently, we’ve been fortunate enough to get support from the Cabinet Office which enabled us to launch a new, improved version of the website. But that grant is coming to an end and we now urgently need the funds to keep Streetbank going.
The movement has started accelerating and it’s exciting. Last year 6,000 neighbours met through Streetbank to carry out neighbourly acts of kindness. This year we’re on track for more than 30,000 people to meet but like any website growing fast, we have web maintenance, server and email costs amongst others.
We need £4,000 per month to keep Streetbank ad free and maintain its roots as an independent grassroots movement for the next year.
What's the story behind this campaign?
Three years ago, I passed a neighbour on my street using hedge-trimmers. My hedge was overgrown but as I didn’t know my neighbour I didn’t think I should ask to borrow his trimmers. Back at home, I started dreaming about a neighbourhood where I knew my neighbours and everyone shared. That led to the idea of Streetbank, a website that is enabling people to share thousands of things – from apples to bee hives and ladders to xylophones – and bringing neighbours together. People are joining the movement across the UK and the world.
Who Benefits?
You. The environment. Our communities. Our wallets.
Streetbank helps save things unnecessarily ending up in landfill and makes for happier, friendlier more connected communities. Neighbourhoods that look like this….
Charlie Mackesy has very kindly painted this stunning original picture (25cm by 25 cm) for Streetbank. We have limited run of 500 prints available, plus the original.
What difference is Streetbank making?
But it can do more than that. Streetbank member Richard from Witney, Oxfordshire tells us how using Streetbank to engage more with his community has helped him overcome some of his mental health struggles. His story powerfully demonstrates the difference that Streetbank can have (and all the picnics, bike rides and litter picks that result). Streetbank was the tool that enabled Richard to connect with his community - and the community has had an amazingly healing effect!
What are other people saying about Streetbank?
We are rated by the Times as one of the 50 websites you can’t live without and we’ve been featured on the BBC, the Guardian and NBC. Here are a couple of examples of how our members are using Streetbank:
- Mark from Brighton: “I'm loving Streetbank - I offered an old travel cot and requested to borrow some hedge-clippers. Someone came back within 1-2 hours asking for the travel cot, and offered me the hedge-clippers. Exchanging tonight – just over 24 hours after posting. Very good!!!!”
- Juliette from Somerset: “I am so delighted with the response to my call out for help after our our village was flooded. Thanks for helping me keep in touch with my neighbours Streetbank!”
How will the money be spent?
Your donations will cover the core monthly costs of running Streetbank:
£3,000 of web maintenance, £500 of server and email costs, £300 for marketing materials, £150 to cover telephone/internet costs.
When will we see the difference?
Without this funding Streetbank will not be able to keep the lights on and help all of us connect, serve and benefit from our communities.
Your donation will help us keep Streetbank going and growing throughout 2014 and keep us on track to reach 300,000 households by 2016.
Can you chip in?
So donate now and you’ll be helping your neighbourhood – and neighbourhoods all over the world – become friendlier, happier more connected places. We’ll send you one of the rewards from the list on the right and also give you the opportunity to steer the development of Streetbank should you want to. Thanks so much!
Big thanks!
Sam and the Streetbank team