04 Mar Crowdfunding
How It Works
A local nonprofit has a great idea, applies for a grant, and requests approval for matching funds. The Community Foundation of Grant County provides a crowdfunding page on our website where community members can support the project. If the nonprofit successfully raises their portion of the funding goal, the Community Foundation will provide a matching grant through the Give To Grant Fund.
Step 1: Identify Your Project
Identify a program or project that could inspire broad community support and donor participation.
Step 2: Apply for a Crowdfunding Grant
Submit your application through the Community Foundation’s Grants Lifecycle Manager (GLM) Dashboard.
Organizations may request up to 50% of the total project cost from the Community Foundation. The remaining 50% must be raised through community donations, which is why this process is called crowdfunding.
The maximum Crowdfunding request from the Community Foundation is $20,000.
Step 3: Application Review & Campaign Launch
The Community Foundation committee will review all applications. If your project is selected, you will receive notification through the GLM Dashboard.
Approved organizations will receive a custom crowdfunding webpage hosted on the Community Foundation’s website where donors can support the project.
Once your campaign begins, you will have 60 days to raise your matching funds.
For example:
– If you request $6,000 from the Community Foundation, you must raise $6,000 from community donors for a total project funding of $12,000.
– Organizations may self-select their crowdfunding start date, within parameters outlined in the grant agreement.
Step 4: Matching Grant Award
Projects that successfully meet their crowdfunding goal within the 60-day campaign period will receive their matching grant from the Community Foundation.
If your project does not meet the fundraising goal within 60 days:
– You will not receive the matching grant, but
– Your organization will still receive all donations made by supporters for the project.
Key Benefits
Take advantage of the unique benefits that make Crowdfunding a powerful way to fund community ideas.
Maximize Your Impact: Leverage the generosity of many donors while unlocking additional support from the Community Foundation’s matching funds.
Easy as Pie Matching: Raise community support and unlock matching grant dollars through the Community Foundation—doubling the power of every donation.
Expanded Promotion: The Community Foundation will help promote your crowdfunding campaign through social media and eNewsletter outreach, helping your project reach a wider audience of potential supporters.
Widespread Publicity: Projects gain valuable visibility through social media promotion, local radio, and newspaper coverage—helping your idea reach the entire community.
Grassroots Community Support: Crowdfunding encourages neighbors to invest directly in the projects that improve their community, building stronger local engagement and shared ownership.
Build Your Donor Base: Crowdfunding helps nonprofits find new donors who may become long-term supporters.
What Makes a Strong Crowdfunding Project?
Not every project is a good fit for crowdfunding. The most successful campaigns share a few key characteristics:
Broad Community Appeal: Projects that benefit many people—or address a widely shared community need—tend to attract the most support.
Clear and Specific Goals: Successful campaigns clearly explain what the funds will accomplish. Donors want to know exactly how their gift will make a difference.
Strong Storytelling: Compelling stories help donors connect with the project. Explain the problem you’re solving and how your organization will create positive change.
Active Promotion: Crowdfunding works best when organizations actively share their campaign through email, social media, volunteers, board members, and community partners.
Realistic Fundraising Goals: Setting a goal that matches your organization’s network and ability to promote the campaign helps ensure success.
Engaged Supporters: Projects succeed when staff, board members, volunteers, and community champions help spread the word and invite others to participate.
Pro Tip: Organizations that identify 10–20 early donors before launching their campaign often gain momentum quickly and inspire others to give.
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