Backing Local Builders

Funding Rounds

CommonGround projects raise money in rounds, the same way startups do, except the investors are often the neighbors who will benefit most. A funding round is a fixed window where a founder shares a goal amount, a use-of-funds breakdown, and a deadline. Supporters pledge what they can, and the project receives funds once the round closes successfully.

How a Round Works

  1. 1. Founder sets the goal.

    Every round states exactly how much is needed and what the money funds, from equipment to first-month rent.

  2. 2. The community pledges.

    Supporters can contribute any amount during the open window shown on the project page.

  3. 3. Funds are released.

    When a round closes successfully, funds go to the founder along with a public ledger of how the money will be used.

Funding Tiers

Rounds are organized into three tiers based on the goal amount: Seedling rounds for early ideas under a few thousand dollars, Growth rounds for projects scaling up an existing effort, and Anchor rounds for larger, multi-phase community investments. Every tier follows the same transparency rules, just at a different scale.

Want to start a round for your own project? Head to your project page and look for the "Start a Funding Round" option once your listing is published.

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