Answer

Owing to the amount of funding required, you would be hard-pressed to find this amount through grant funding. You will need to examine the Lottery programmes in detail because only they will fund the larger sums of money required. See www.biglottery.org.uk , and in particular the Reaching Communities Programme, although the length of the application process can take two years but could make available some £500,000 available.

It is important to look at funders on a broader spectrum, and view a community building as part an improved environment (see environmental funders WREN, CEMEX, Biffa, VEOLIA but check eligibility), look at funding for community projects (often it will be the activities, or plans for proposed activities for groups at risk of exclusion that will attract the funding rather than the building itself - it's a question of what regeneration and community cohesion that the funding might enable). If there is a strong sport or young people element, look at sports funding/youth funding such as Sport England but wider community inclusion must be there to tempt a funder.

Since there is always a lot of competition for the better-known funding programmes like the Lottery, you might be advised to look at local funding for which there will be less competition and there will be a greater understanding of local issues and need from local funders. Consider potential funders from Coventry, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands RDA - some of which are listed in the attached search.

In fact, the best way forward is to invest in doing detailed consultation in finding that the centre is really needed in the area (and it's not just an "us too" with another one in the vicinity) and that it is what the local communities really want. Proof of "evidence of need" is crucial to levering funding from ANY funder.

Business plans, partnerships and proposed legal set up is equally important in convincing funders of your business skills in managing the project, and the future sustainability of any centre.

Before paying any architect to come up with dream schemes which might get the community over-excited, it is more important to based the design around a phased, fundable approach that is based around the activities that will take place in it - ie designed for purpose, and reflect the desires and needs of the community.

A local partnership between the voluntary and private business sector might be the best way forward but will be a challenge to finding opportunities for working together locally. You will need to promote an test the whole idea, using all the communication channels at your disposal.

Within a neighbourhood, small organisations and businesses, which are active in the community, are often willing to contribute funds for specific projects. Groups such as Rotary, Lions, Round Table, Masons, Young Farmers, local energy suppliers, press or TV stations - who can also give you free publicity and campaigning - are often willing to contribute funds for specific projects, particularly those which are to benefit specific groups of people. (e.g providing facilities for disabled people, elderly people or the young). They usually welcome the opportunity for mutual publicity.

Please see the attached suggestions saved as a Word document.