Crowdfunding

Step 3: Pick the right tool

There are hundreds of crowdfunding sites these days, but a few stand above the rest. They have different sized audiences, demographics, and campaign options. Here they are, first the large international platforms which you can use anywhere and further on, you’ll find a few per continent. Please note that in this toolkit, we list the crowdfunding websites that are used most, but are not responsible for their results of methods.

Indiegogo is another huge crowdfunding site. You can select either fixed or flexible funding for your campaign. If you choose flexible funding, you still get the money even if you don’t fully reach your goal. Fixed funding means donations are returned to supporters if you don’t reach your goal. This is a good option if you can only pursue your project if the goal is met. There are no fixed funding fees for campaigners who do not meet their goal as opposed to 5-percent for flexible funds and fixed funds that do meet their goals. There’s also a processing fee of 3-percent and 30 cents per transaction. The minimum goal for either type of fundraiser is $500.

Designed for Africa by Africans. Thundafund couples projects with business and mentorship support services. Their commitment: “We believe that by activating our own communities we can build prosperity.” All projects on Thundafund are required to reach their tipping point before their project closes in order to receive all their funds. If their target is not reached, all backers of the project will be reimbursed minus the banking fees. Once your project is successfully funded, Thundafund receives a commission on the final amount crowdfunded: 5% for certified NGOs and  7% for individuals organisations.

GlobalGiving is not just a crowdfunding platform, but a partner and a crowdfunding community. GlobalGiving helps nonprofits from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe (and hundreds of places in between) access the tools, training, and support they need to be more effective and make our world a better place. You can sign up for the Accelerator Program that runs periodically. If accepted, you get access to the platform and can attend free training and support sessions. There are no cost involved to join, but GlobalGiving retains a percentage of donations made. At the same time, GlobalGiving raises additional funds for member nonprofit through thematic matching campaigns, corporate partner donations and marketing efforts. This site is a good option if you have no or little experience with crowdfunding and would like to be supported in your efforts.

Along with the giant crowdfunding sites, there are smaller, niche-specific crowdfunding platforms. Publishizer was made specifically to help authors or organizations to crowdfund their publications or books. If you have a specialized publication such as a photo book of your NGO, you could certainly still use Kickstarter or Indiegogo, but Publishizer gives you the benefit of having a specialized audience that supports authors and books.

These are just a few examples of crowdfunding websites. In the attached document you will find many more.

More crowdfunding sites