Generating extra income for your community center or village hall: 7 proven methods

1. Ticket sales for activities

Activities such as concerts, talks, film evenings or quiz nights attract an audience that is not necessarily a member or renting anything. With a modest admission fee you generate direct income. Keep costs low by using volunteers and existing facilities. Also read about organising ticket sales for an event.

2. Rental of equipment

Chairs, tables, a sound system, a projector. Many community centres have equipment that can also be rented out to private individuals organising a party elsewhere. Draw up a pricing list and manage it via a simple rental system.

3. Sponsorship

Local businesses are keen to gain visibility with the audiences that visit your venue. Sponsorship does not have to be large. A sponsor who has their logo on the noticeboard in return for €500 per year is a realistic example. Read more in our guide on sponsorship for your association.

4. Subsidies and funds

Many municipalities and provinces have funds for neighbourhood and community centres. Funds such as the VSBfonds, the Oranje Fonds and the SNS Reaal Fonds support charitable organisations. This requires time to prepare an application, but the payoff can be substantial. See also applying for subsidies for your association.

5. Donations and the friends-of-centre scheme

Encourage members, volunteers and supporters to make a voluntary extra contribution above the normal membership. A 'Friends of the Community Centre' membership for an extra €25 per year, in exchange for a mention in the annual report or small perks, can generate a substantial revenue.

6. Lessons and courses

If you have a kitchen, a stage or a sports hall, you can rent them out to instructors for cooking classes, music lessons, yoga classes or other courses. You rent out the space by the hour or per course block. The instructor bears the risk; you collect the room hire.

7. Pop-up events and markets

A monthly jumble sale, book market or crafts market attracts an audience, brings life to the building and generates stallholder contributions. These kinds of events also strengthen the connection with the neighbourhood, contributing to the social value of your venue.