Built on Belief. Backed by Action.

We’ve spent over 15 years connecting communities and funders – turning good ideas into real-world change.

ActionFunder in numbers

Since we launched, ActionFunder has helped businesses distribute over £5.6 million to community projects across the UK.

 

From climate action to youth support, more than 15,000 community initiatives are signed up to receive funding from companies committed to doing good.

 

With over 275 funds already creating impact, ActionFunder is scaling social value – faster, smarter and with purpose.

 

These numbers aren’t just statistics. They’re stories of change, made possible by funders who chose to take action.

A community group working on sustainability with young people, funded by ActionFunder

£5.6m+

distributed to community projects across the UK.

1.9m

people benefitted from funded projects.

Volunteers at a community gardening charity, funded by ActionFunder

275

funds launched on the platform.

Why we built ActionFunder

We started ActionFunder because we saw communities doing brilliant work – and businesses wanting to back them. But the tools and connections just weren’t there. So we built a platform that makes funding faster, easier and more impactful.

 

The story starts in 2008 with Project Dirt – a social network for community projects. We launched pioneering funds with brands like Timberland and Neal’s Yard, ran global campaigns like Outdoor Classroom Day, and rebranded as Semble to bring businesses and grassroots groups together. In 2021, ActionFunder launched, a pioneering platform that’s changing community funding – for good.

ActionFunder employees volunteering at a local charity

Team volunteering!

Meet the team

Mark Shearer

Mark Shearer

CEO & Co-Founder

James Dowdell

James Dowdell

COO

Edward Leek

Edward Leek

Finance Director

Angela Smith

Angela Smith

People Lead

Martin Warne

Martin Warne

Head of Technology

Liam Carrington

Liam Carrington

Developer

Shawn Robb

Shawn Robb

Developer

Bee Kearns

Bee Kearns

Marketing & Community Manager

Fabian Charles

Fabian Charles

Growth & Partnership Manager

Emily Purkhardt

Emily Purkhardt

Account Manager

Chloe Lyons

Chloe Lyons

Content & Communications Strategist

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