How We’re Funded

A message from Laura, Founder/Editor….

I had an online conversation lately with someone who commented on the structure of The Happy `Hood community project. 

Their view was that the people who contribute are all volunteers and don't get paid, but the project receives thousands of pounds of grant money, which is primarily used to pay me (Laura, the founder/editor). The inference was that it’s unfair. Why should I be paid and no one else is, especially as it's promoted as a voluntary community project?

At first, I was pretty upset. Not least because their view wasn't accurate. But after reflection, I realised it was a valid comment and an opportunity to make things super clear.

So let's get into it. 

How is The Happy `Hood set up? 

We are set up as a community project. We have a management committee of at least 3 people who aren’t related. We have meetings and make decisions as a group. We have a constitution and a bank account which qualifies us to apply for grant funding. 

How is the project funded?

It's part-funded by zine sales and part-funded by grants. Up until this point, we haven't done advertising in the zine but that might change if grants keep getting more difficult to secure. We have been running without any grant funding since April 2023.

If you sell the zine, why do you need grants? 

On the whole, sales cover the basic running costs of the zine. These costs include: printing, postage, website, domain name, public liability insurance, merchandise, invoicing software, and office supplies. The lion's share of our grant applications are for staffing costs and events. 

So who gets paid? 

In the past, we've had social media support, so we paid the talented Alicia to do that for us. We pay performers at our events, we’ve been able to pay for photography, and artists who run workshops at our festival. Grant funding has also paid for Alex, our graphic designer and me, Laura the Founder/Editor. 

Why should your graphic designer get paid? 

Alex is a professional graphic designer, that's his job. Without him, we wouldn't be able to produce the zine. He spends at least 30 hours on each zine. That's pretty much an entire working week. Not only does he spend a lot of time on the zine, he brings years of professional experience. The management committee feel it would be exploitative not to pay Alex at times when we have funding.

Why should Laura get paid?

My title of Founder/Editor is misleading. Here are some of my responsibilities:

• Project manage each issue of the zine from start to finish including collating and commissioning stories, editing, proofreading and sending to print. 

• Website management

• Social media

• Invoicing and accounts

• Pack and send orders

• Deliver to stockists

• Attend events

• Build and maintain relationships in the community

• Event planning and management

• Chair the management team

I do all this as well as contributing my own articles for the zine (voluntarily just like all the other contributors) and I spend on average a day (8 hours) a week on The Happy `Hood just keeping the project running. As a freelancer, it's not sustainable for me to work that much on the project for free because I can't afford to pay my bills. The management committee has been clear in their decision throughout the years that I should be paid.  

Is a voluntary community project allowed to pay people?

Yes! The grants we apply for explicitly say we can use the money for staffing. We have to make that very clear in our applications and we provide evidence of the spend. Most charities and voluntary organisations pay staff. This is the norm in the voluntary sector because sustainability depends on it. 

What happens when you don't have grant money to pay staff?

In short, we don't get paid but we carry on regardless. We aren't consistently paid. I haven't received any pay since April 2023 and Alex hasn't been paid for the last 2 zines. 

So if you can afford to not be paid, you shouldn't. 

I can’t speak for Alex, but certainly for me, I can't afford not to be paid. The last year has been a huge financial struggle for me and The Happy `Hood often gets put to the bottom of my list in favour of paid work. It stresses me out because I love the project and I believe in it but while we live in capitalism, I need to earn money.  

But if you and Alex get paid why don't you apply for funding to pay the contributors?

The management committee has discussed this a lot over the years! On average, 45 people contribute to each issue. For us to be able to create a zine that platforms so many voices in each issue the only way we can figure out to make that work and keep it fair is to ask for volunteers. 

The feedback we get from contributors is that they enjoy volunteering and payment isn't a barrier to them taking part. As someone who also regularly volunteers for Affinity Daycare, Action For Happiness and ad hoc for other charities and community groups locally, I know the joy I get from volunteering. 

So is The Happy `Hood a voluntary project or not?! 

Yes, it is! This project started and continues because people love it, believe in it and want to give their time. That includes me who has given hundreds of hours for free over the last 6 years. 

If we end up securing long-term funding for staff members, (that's the plan), we'll still be considered a voluntary organisation.  

If you're still confused...

Please email or message us and we'd be happy to chat more. Don't let questions or assumptions fester. We're happy to talk.