Your Community Shares Journey

Community shares are a way for people to invest in what matters to them.
Community members buy shares in enterprises providing goods and services that meet their needs. In turn, the enterprise is controlled and governed by the community it serves. Community shares have helped to launch and grow a wide range of thriving community businesses.
This interactive tool will guide you through every step of the process of issuing community shares.
Follow the path below to get started.

Your Community Shares Journey

Community shares are a way for people to invest in what matters to them.
Community members buy shares in enterprises providing goods and services that meet their needs. In turn, the enterprise is controlled and governed by the community it serves. Community shares have helped to launch and grow a wide range of thriving community businesses.
This interactive tool will guide you through every step of the process of issuing community shares.
Follow the path below to get started.

What is a community business?

Each case will be different but they are all united by a common need within the community they will serve.

It could focus on an
existing asset that is
under threat, such
as a shop or a
village hall.
It could be something
the community
currently lacks,
such as a sports
facility or a
new arts venue.
It might even relate
to a community of
interest,
such as
publishing a magazine
or selling
fairtrade goods.
It could focus on an
existing asset that is
under threat, such
as a shop or a
village hall.
It could be something
the community
currently lacks,
such as a sports
facility or a
new arts venue.
It might even relate
to a community of
interest,
such as
publishing a magazine
or selling
fairtrade goods.

What do I do next?

Once you have your community business idea, the next stage is to consider these three categories – individually or simultaneously

Share offer document

The share offer document is the key resource that will convince people to invest in an enterprise. It sets out all the key facts required for them to make an informed decision. It should be clear and concise, with an obvious call to action for those who wish to invest. See examples of share offer documents in case studies.

Share offer campaign

Most community share
offers run for a limited time,
allowing a sustained
campaign to engage with
the community and
encourage them
to invest.
Successful campaigns
are creative and
engaging, using all media
channels to reach as many
potential shareholders
as possible.
Communities may
also want to run an
“open offer”, meaning
supporters can invest
at any time.
Most community share
offers run for a limited time,
allowing a sustained
campaign to engage with
the community and
encourage them
to invest.
Successful campaigns
are creative and
engaging, using all media
channels to reach as many
potential shareholders
as possible.
Communities may
also want to run an
“open offer”, meaning
supporters can invest
at any time.
phone
Get in touch
if you have
questions

Running your community business

Once the share offer is completed the organisation will need to manage the daily running of the business. Societies have a management board elected by their membership who will hold responsibility for the organisation. They may also wish to hire staff who take on day to day management of the business.