Before you can start crowdfunding, your project needs to be verified. This checks that your project is viable and gives backers confidence that you can deliver what you're promising.
Why we verify projects
Verification builds trust between project creators and backers. It means:
For backers:
Confidence their money will be spent as described
Assurance the project can legally go ahead
Trust that costs are accurate and realistic
Knowledge that someone has checked the plans
For project creators:
Higher chance of attracting donations
Better access to larger funders
Fewer issues during delivery
More confidence in your planning
For funding partners:
Due diligence already completed
Evidence of project viability
Reduced risk when donating
Confidence in delivery plans
We're the only crowdfunding platform that verifies projects before they start fundraising. This helps explain why nearly 9 out of 10 projects succeed on Spacehive - backers trust verified projects and are more likely to donate.
What we check
Our verification team reviews:
Your costs and supporting evidence
Necessary permissions and licences
Your delivery plans and timeline
Any funds you've already raised
Required policies and insurance
DBS certificates and safeguarding documentation (if applicable)
Evidence requirements
Providing good evidence is essential. Without it, we can't verify your project and you won't be able to start crowdfunding. The better your evidence, the quicker we can complete verification.
Cost evidence
You need to provide evidence for every cost item over £500. For items under £500, evidence is helpful but not always required.
What counts as good evidence:
✅ Written quotes from suppliers on company letterhead or email
✅ Screenshots of online prices showing the item, price, and website
✅ Invoices or estimates from contractors
✅ Email confirmations with pricing
✅ Catalogue pages with visible prices
What we can't accept:
❌ Your own spreadsheets or calculations without backup
❌ Rough estimates or guesses
❌ Quotes over 6 months old
❌ Screenshots without visible prices or source
❌ Generic budget documents
Examples by project type:
Project type | Cost item | Good evidence |
Community garden | Raised beds | Quote from timber supplier or screenshot from B&Q/Wickes |
Playground | Play equipment | Written quote from equipment manufacturer |
Building renovation | Construction work | Itemised quote from contractor on headed paper |
Event | Marquee hire | Email confirmation from hire company with price |
Sports facility | Equipment | Screenshot from supplier website showing items and prices |
Children's football club sessions | Coaching fees | For internal staffing costs, where a quote or invoice is not applicable, a clear and detailed breakdown of how the cost total has been calculated will suffice |
💡 Tip: For large items (over £5,000), get two or three quotes to show you've researched the best value.
Permission evidence
If your project takes place on land you don't own, you need written permission from the landowner.
What counts as good evidence:
✅ A signed letter from the landowner
✅ Email confirmation from the landowner or their representative
✅ A licence agreement or lease
✅ Council approval letter (for public land)
What we can't accept:
❌ Verbal agreements
❌ "We're in discussions" without written confirmation
❌ Permission from someone who isn't the landowner
Additional permissions you may need:
Situation | Permission needed | Evidence required |
Building work | Planning permission | Copy of planning approval or confirmation it's not required |
Listed building | Listed building consent | Consent document from local authority |
Public event | Event licence | Licence or Temporary Events Notice |
Serving food/alcohol | Food hygiene/alcohol licence | Relevant certificates |
Road closure | Council approval | Written approval from highways team |
Pre-campaign funding evidence
If you've already secured funding for your project, you'll need to prove it.
What counts as good evidence:
✅ Grant award letter
✅ Bank statement showing funds received
✅ Signed sponsorship agreement
✅ Email confirmation of committed funds
In-kind contribution evidence
For materials, services or venue use you've been offered for free or at reduced cost.
What counts as good evidence:
✅ Letter or email confirming the offer
✅ Written agreement stating what's being provided and its value
✅ Quote showing normal price alongside the discounted/free offer
Safeguarding requirements
For projects involving workshops or activities with vulnerable groups, safeguarding evidence is essential:
DBS Certificates: Provide a valid DBS certificate for the project lead and confirm that all delivery staff are DBS-checked.
Safeguarding Policy: Submit your organisation's safeguarding policy to demonstrate compliance with safeguarding standards.
The verification process
Submit your project for verification
Receive an initial assessment (usually within 2 days)
Provide any additional information needed
Get verified and ready to crowdfund
The whole process typically takes 2-4 days but can be longer for complex projects.
Before you submit
Have these ready to speed up verification:
Evidence for all cost items
Written permissions from landowners
Necessary licences and insurance
Proof of any funds already raised
Your organisation's documents if needed
⚠️ Important: Projects missing key evidence will be returned to you, which delays your launch. Take time to gather everything before submitting.
During verification
While your project is being verified:
Your page will be locked (except for images)
You can't edit project details
The verifier may ask for more information
You should respond promptly to questions
Use this time to:
Prepare your campaign plan
Line up your first backers
Draft social media posts
Plan your launch communications
After verification
Once verified:
Set your campaign dates
Start promoting your project
Begin collecting donations
Making changes after verification
Your page stays locked after verification to maintain trust with backers. However:
You can still add/change images
You can post project updates
Small text changes can be made by our support team
Major changes may need your project to return to the design stage
For minor changes (like fixing typos):
Email [email protected]
Explain what needs changing
We'll help update your page
For major changes:
Request to return to design stage via your admin panel
Make your changes
Submit for verification again
Tips for quick verification
Check all evidence before submitting
Make sure permissions are in writing
Keep documents organised and ready
Respond quickly to verifier questions
Ask for help if you're unsure
💡 Remember: Over 90% of projects get verified successfully. We're here to help you join them.
Need help? Contact us at [email protected].