First presented at COABE Conference in 2017, and updated for the 2022 Virtual GED Ministry Conference, this presentation by Meagen Farrell provides a clear journey and examples of non-profit fundraising using crowdfunding platforms. Learn how to maximize engagement by rewarding small donors and peer-to-peer champions of your cause. Create realistic expectations and find the most important tips to increase your success rate to achieve your fund development goal, so you have the resources to go out and make the world a better place. Highlights include: -What is Crowdfunding? -Support Other Projects: What Made it Work? -Timeline to Your First Fundraising Project -The Reality of Crowdfunding -Meagen's Crowdfunding Checklist for Success

1. Crowdfunding:
Tips & Practices for Success
Meagen Farrell
September 2022

2. Meagen Farrell

3. Shop:
www.mustseed.org
Courses:
courses.mustseed.org
Blog:
blog.mustseed.org
Mustard Seed
Training

4. Maya Angelou
“I have found that
among its other
benefits, giving
liberates the soul of
the giver.”

5. What is Crowdfunding?
“The practice of funding a project
or venture by raising many small
amounts of money from a large
number of people, typically via the
Internet.” -Forbes
“$90-96 Billion industry by 2025.”
-World Bank

6. How does Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Work?
Converting Social Capital to Financial Capital

7. My Crowdfunding Journey...
Benefits:
● Well-known arts platform
● Stricter requirements for
campaigns
● Must reach target to be funded
Caveats:
● Fulfilling perks can get
complicated
● Fees! 5% to KS + 3-5%
processing
2013: 55 backers pledged $3,226

8. My Crowdfunding Journey...
2022 Little Mustard Seed Library: 25 backers pledged $2,500,11
backers with no reward
Three
digital
books
Two online
courses

9. St. Baldrick’s Foundation: Childhood Cancer Research
https://www.stbaldricks.org/
In Memory of Rebecca Meyer
Hex color #663399 is rebecca purple

10. My Crowdfunding Journey...
Us Event
2015 $1,380 + $843 $110,031
2016 $705 $113,995
2017 $805 + $794 $133,272
2018 $180 + $275 $152,530
2020 $530 + $1,007 $115,349

11. Timeline to Your First Crowdfunded Project
1. Support other projects
2. Plan with your team
3. Draft your story
4. Set up platform
5. LAUNCH
6. Hustle like crazy
7. Celebrate success!
-6 months
-3 months
-2 months
-1 month
LAUNCH
Weeks or months
Firm deadlines

12. 1. Support Other Projects: What Made It Work?
freshcamp: 93 backers, $17,000
Existing
community
Stretch
goals

13. 1. Support Other Projects: What Made It Work?
Reading Rainbow: 105,857 backers,
$5,408,916
Amazing
perks!
LeVar
Burton

14. STEP 2. Plan with your team
The Empowerment Project:
404 backers, $28,590
All-female film crew
1 month trip to
interview women for
10 episode series

15. Step 3. Tell Your Story
Funny video! Cats!

16. Tell Your Story: 30 Second Pitch
If we’re stuck in the elevator
together, tell me:
● Who you are
● About your project
● Why I should care
● How I can help

17. Step 4. Set up Platform

18. Step 5: LAUNCH!

19. Step 6. Hustle Like Crazy
Individual
Outreach
Products/Perks
Events
1 2 3

20. Step 7:
Will I celebrate Success?

21. The Reality of Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Numbers
Stats as of September 2022:
● 570,044 projects launched
● 227,018 fully funded (40%)
● 56,016 0% funded (10%)
Source

22. The Reality of Crowdfunding: MobileCause Numbers
● Raise 4x as much with video
● 62% new donors (28% give again)
● $568 average raised per individual
Exclusive clubs work, but thank-you gifts reduce donations
Source

23. Meagen’s Crowdfunding Checklist for SUCCESS!
❏ Have a clear project in mind.
❏ Tap your existing community.
❏ Organize a team.
❏ Communicate a plan & timeline.
❏ Shop around for platform fees.
❏ Develop launch events & deadlines.
❏ Use video for 4x donations.

24. Go make your
students’ dreams
come true!

25. Photo Credits:
Maya Angelou by Wikimedia user Adria Richards
“Money” by Flickr user TaxCredits.com
Sailor Buying Girl Scout Cookies by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Steven Khor
“Friends Forever” by Flickr user Ahsan Saeed
Bank Deposit Slip by Wikimedia user Ellis Publishing Company
“Attendees at Firefox 4 Launch Party” by Flickr user Pranab Doley
“Handshake - Hard Times” by Flickr user Spot Us
Head shaving at St Baldrick’s Foundation event
“Rebecca: The Face of My Daughter” by Eric Meyer
Play group: 2 & 5 years old by Audrey Bustapeck (Bustafeltz Designs)
“Girl Scout Cookies” by Flickr user Melissa Doroquez
Brand assets: Kickstarter, GiveSmart, DonorsChoose, gofundme