Crowdfunding harnesses the power of social networks and the internet to give people the means to raise funds, help others overcome hardship, and meet aspirational goals. The core principle behind the crowdfunding definition is that you can help a friend or help an entire community. You can do everything from pay for your own surgery to fulfill a student’s dream of attending college—and so much more.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What is crowdfunding?” “What does crowdfunding mean?” or, “What are the benefits of crowdfunding?” then keep reading. We’ll answer your questions about crowdfunding and give you top tips on how to bring in donations.
In recent years, crowdfunding has transformed the traditional fundraising landscape, breaking down barriers between those in need and those available to help them. Crowdfunding has made it possible for people to offer direct support to those who need emergency financial assistance, contributing to the larger trend of individual giving. In 2019, charitable giving by individuals grew by 4.7% for a total of $309.66 billion, outpacing giving by both corporations and foundations.
People often turn to crowdfunding when they can’t afford the rapidly increasing cost of medical care, or when they lack insurance to cover major medical procedures and have to pay for out-of-pocket costs. In fact, enormous medical bills are responsible for 66.5% of all bankruptcies in America.
When funding from the government and nonprofits falls short, many people turn to crowdfunding, meaning that they will rely on the kindness of their community. Online fundraising removes the traditional barriers that typically exist when asking for support, making it simple to overcome financial obstacles quickly or raise money for a worthy cause. For those looking for crowdfunding basics, here are some of the main advantages of crowdfunding:
Below, we answer the questions people most often have about crowdfunding when they’re trying to decide if they want to start an online fundraiser.
The best way to have crowdfunding explained is to understand that it can work for anybody, and there is no cause too big or too small for crowdfunding. Because of this, it can be hard to define crowdfunding. Some people might worry that their fundraiser isn’t as worthy as others—but the beauty of crowdfunding is that it exists to help an array of people and needs. Whether you want to help your pet, raise money to pay for a memorial, or get help with bills, crowdfunding can allow you to overcome the financial barriers that may stand in the way.
While most people think crowdfunding services are only for individuals who need emergency financial assistance, businesses looking to fund a new project or raise capital can also fundraise online. Entrepreneurs can even use crowdfunding to finance projects or a new creative idea.
Donation-based crowdfunding: This type of crowdfunding is one of the most common when looking up “what is a crowdfunding campaign.” In donation-based crowdfunding, people search for and support a cause by donating to it without receiving anything in return. The person running the fundraiser isn’t obligated to pay back donors or give them anything else in return for their contributions. GoFundMe is one of the major crowdfunding sites that uses donation-based crowdfunding.
Equity-based crowdfunding: In equity-based fundraising, the fundraiser organizer accepts money from people looking to invest, typically to help launch a business. In return, investors will receive a small piece of equity in the business or company.
Rewards-based: Through rewards-based crowdfunding on platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, the organizer of the fundraiser provides a reward or products to donors, usually a service or physical item, in exchange for a contribution.
Note: GoFundMe only allows donation-based crowdfunding.
Absolutely. Thousands of people start online fundraisers every day to raise money for themselves. It’s understandable that you might be nervous about asking for money. But it’s important to remember that nearly everyone has experienced financial hardship at one point or another. You might be surprised by the number of people who want to support you when you need it most.
While there’s no magic formula for receiving donations, there are definitely steps you can take to set yourself up for success. The most important thing you can do is create a compelling fundraiser and build a community that empathizes with your cause. Investing the time into your fundraiser story will inspire your network of friends and family to take action. For specific tips on how you can create an engaging fundraiser and share it far and wide, read on.
We empower people to rally support for personal and charitable causes. We built our reputation by serving and supporting our community of organizers and donors, and we continue to build on that trust every day. GoFundMe’s giving community is more than 50 million strong and has raised more than $9 billion.
Our industry-leading fundraising tools help individuals, groups, and organizations share their stories far and wide. Even small donations can eventually grow into something extraordinary.
1. Create your fundraiser
GoFundMe helps you quickly create a fundraiser and tell your story. You can raise money as an individual or invite others to join your fundraising team. Learn more about team fundraising.
2. Share your fundraiser
Our sharing tools help you spread the word about your story via social media, emails, and even text messages. We make it easy to keep your network informed so you can raise more money quickly.
3. Easily accept donations
GoFundMe allows you to send donations directly to your or your beneficiary’s bank account, so you can get help right away.
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