Pooling Capital – For Communities and Collaborators

A practical learning session in pooling community capital

When communities pool their assets and resources—whether through funds, foundations, co-ops, or informal circles—they can unlock greater resources to achieve bigger impact. Pooling makes it possible to take on larger developments, spread risk, and leverage opportunities that would be out of reach for individuals alone. Importantly, pooling enables communities to keep ownership, benefits, and decision-making local.

This practical session is designed for community members, local organisations and collaborators (government, impact organisations and others) who want to understand how communities can pool their resources and assets in ways that strengthen local control, increase access to capital, and deliver shared prosperity. Whether you’re just starting to explore this topic or experimenting with pooling approaches, this session will build your confidence and capability to identify and create pooling mechanisms that work for your community.

We’ll introduce practical models and pathways for pooling community capital, grounded in place-based approaches. We’ll share stories of how it’s already happening, from community investment funds and cooperatives to savings circles and crowdfunding platforms. And you’ll walk away with clear examples of what’s possible, tools to explore pooling options, insight into what makes pooling effective—and fresh ideas and a network of others on the same journey.

The insights shared in this session can be applied to a wide range of opportunities, from funding community housing and renewable energy, to launching enterprises, digital services, or shared infrastructure.

In this session, you will:

Gain an overview of Place Based & Community Capital – Learn the core values, functions, and the role of pooling capital in a place-based system.
Understand the fundamentals of pooling – Learn what pooling is, why it matters, and how it enables communities to combine small contributions into greater collective impact.
Connect pooling to long-term impact – Understand how pooled funds and assets can secure lasting community benefit and reinvestment.
Discover pooling models and structures – Explore formal and informal pooling approaches, from investment funds, cooperatives, and companies, to local funding circles and shared saving schemes.
Strengthen readiness – Identify the conditions and capabilities that support effective pooling, including trust, transparency, and good design.
Explore real-world examples – Gain inspiration from communities already pooling capital in creative and sustainable ways.
Apply strategies and solutions to real-life contexts – Use the tools and strategies shared to reflect on your community’s projects, challenges, and opportunities.

By the end of this session, you will have a structured framework to explore how pooling capital can amplify community power, access larger sums, and keep ownership and benefits local.

Who should participate?

This session is tailored for a broad audience and provides valuable insights across sectors:

Community members and leaders: Learn how pooling can multiply your community’s resources and support local priorities.
Community organisations: Discover pooling strategies that support sustainable impact and long-term initiatives.
Councils and government representatives: Understand how enabling pooled assets and resources strengthens outcomes and builds local resilience.
Economic and community development professionals: Gain tools to foster pooling initiatives that build stronger local economies.
For-purpose, philanthropic, and social impact practitioners: Learn how pooling aligns with equity, inclusion, and systems change.
Developers and investors: Understand how pooling opens the door to local finance and meaningful partnerships.
Anyone curious about community pooling: Whether working on a specific project or exploring ideas, this session will show how pooling can transform local futures.

How does it work?

Interactive Online Sessions: This series is delivered online, allowing you to engage with others across Australia. Each module offers interactive opportunities, with discussions, group work, and collaborative learning that ensure a dynamic and engaging experience.
Co-Learning Environment: As a participant, you’ll not only learn from the content but also from your peers. This session emphasises co-learning, where you’ll be part of a shared journey that expands the body of knowledge, strategies and solutions. Through collective insights, discussions, and shared experiences, you will help shape and build on the growing understanding and practical implementation of place based capital.
Broad Audience Appeal: Designed to benefit anyone involved in community building, economic development, social impact, or other areas of relevance.
Flexible Engagement: You can participate in this session on its own or continue through the series to deepen your knowledge.

What’s included?

Practical and interactive sessions, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, discuss and apply what you learn.
This session blends theoretical insights, case studies, and hands-on activities to ensure you take home actionable knowledge that can be applied in your community or organisation.
A certificate of completion for each module to acknowledge your learning.
Ongoing connection through the Place Based Capital Network LinkedIn group, where you can keep the conversation going, exchange insights and stay updated on future opportunities and initiatives.

Cost

This module is priced at $250 (excl.GST)

Subsidies are available upon request for those in need. Discounts are available for individuals that participated in the Place Based Capital Program 2023-24. Please contact connect@centreforcommunitycapital.org to discuss subsidies and discounts.

Have you completed our Fundamentals of Place Based Capital?
We highly recommend it! The Fundamentals module provides the perfect foundation you will need to build your confidence to engage with this and other more in depth place based capital topics.

About the Place Based Capital Learning Series

This session is part of the Place Based Capital Learning Series. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies that communities need to activate and manage local capital. We will cover everything from foundational financial concepts to the practical steps communities can take to identify, generate, govern and use local funding, assets, enterprises and services for their benefit.