The document discusses the use of crowdfunding tools in education, focusing on personal experiences with Kickstarter and comparisons between three major crowdfunding platforms: Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe. It outlines strategies for running successful crowdfunding campaigns, including media engagement, clear budgeting, and community involvement. The text also highlights the appeal of crowdfunding for millennials and its potential to address funding needs for educational projects.

1. "KICKSTART THE CLASSROOM" –
ACADEMIC POTENTIAL OF
CROWDFUNDING TOOLS: A
DISCUSSION
LARA OLSON—WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

2. OUTLINE
• Personal story with Kickstarter (music related)
• Compare three big crowdfunding platforms
• Introduce my Kickstarter project: Insights in how to run a Crowdfunding campaign successfully
• Connection with education
• Discussion
• Wrap up

3. BACKGROUND: MY STORY WITH KICKSTARTER
• Plan: release a CD in spring 2015, go an tour
• Questions:
• How can I promote my music so I can grow my audience?
• How can I get people excited for my project?
• How can I get money?
• “I’m going to crowdfund my project”

4. CROWDFUNDING
• Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a
large number of people, today often performed via internet-mediated registries […] Crowdfunding is a
form of alternative finance, which has emerged outside of the traditional financial system.[2]
• The crowdfunding model is based on three types of actors: the project initiator who proposes the idea
and/or project to be funded; individuals or groups who support the idea; and a moderating organization
(the "platform") that brings the parties together to launch the idea .[3]
• In 2013, the crowdfunding industry raised over $5.1 billion worldwide.[4]

5. PLATFORMS: KICKSTARTER VS. INDIEGOGO VS.
GOFUNDME
KICKSTARTER INDIEGOGO GOFUNDME
Set a monetary goal yes Yes, but you don’t have
to raise goal amount
Yes, but you don’t have
to raise goal amount
special Most popular, more art
oriented
Middle ground Business and personal
Education category No Yes Yes
Flexibility All or nothing approach All or nothing or flexible All or nothing or flexible
Rewards for backers Yes Yes No
Project duration 30-60 days Up to 40 days No deadline until you
choose all or nothing
approach

6. EXAMPLE OF GOFUNDME PROJECT: WAREHOUSE LA
CROSSE
• https://www.gofundme.com/allages

7. HOW TO RUN A CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN
SUCCESSFULLY
• High media and social media presence
• Connection with YOUR community
• Realistic goal
• Catchy video as attention getter
• Explain your budget clearly
• Have fun rewards that seem interesting for your community
• Step 1: Assemble Your Team
• Step 2: Identify Your School’s Needs and Determine the Funding Timeline

8. • Step 3: Identify Your Network
• Step 4: Choose a Crowdfunding Platform
• Step 5: Write a Project Description and Tell Your Story
• Step 6: Craft a Project Video or Slideshow
• Step 7: Brainstorm Perks/Rewards
• Step 8: Kick Off Your Launch with a Bang and Keep Charging
• Step 9: Update Your Network
• Step 10: Celebrate and Debrief Your Campaign

9. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: CROWDFUNDED CD
• https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861919953/shen-tehs-debut-ep-alter-ego

10. UNIVERSITY CROWDFUNDING VS. TRADITIONAL
DONATION SYSTEM
• http://www.scalefunder.com/
• University crowdfunding set up by Scalefunder: University of Maryland:
• https://www.launch.umd.edu/g/pastprojects

11. CROWDFUNDING AT UNIVERSITY IN BOULDER
• https://www.colorado.edu/crowdfunding/

12. ESL CLASSES IN OAKLAND
• http://startsomegood.com/Venture/english_works/Campaigns/Show/bring_back_adult_esl_classes_to
_oakland

13. OTHER PLATFORMS
• Useed (crowdfunding from alumni):
• Addressing the problem of getting millenials who are highly in debt, to donate
• Research: The Millennial Impact Report states that, in 2014, 73% of millennials gave to a non-profit.
• The solution: Millennials want to give to causes, not institutions. Crowdfunding for universities and colleges solves this
problem  project-based funding.
• http://useed.org/why-crowdfunding-for-universities-and-
colleges/?__hstc=125127765.5b1f81ac9eb8a0cbb91c8e3d06c809d0.1446607127618.1446607127618.14466
07127618.1&__hssc=125127765.4.1446607127618&__hsfp=2885857034
• Rockethub
• https://www.rockethub.com/

14. EXAMPLES
• https://www.gofundme.com/Fraugrossi
• https://www.gofundme.com/Jfritz
• https://www.gofundme.com/OmanDoc
• https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/heathwood-press-a-call-for-solidarity#/
• https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/empower-syria-s-refugees-project-amal-ou-salam--3#/
• https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/poetry-rhyme-fall-2015#/

15. REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS
• https://www.kickstarter.com/discover?ref=nav
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdfunding
• http://monetizepros.com/features/crowdfunding-platforms-compared/
• https://www.gofundme.com/allages
• https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861919953/shen-tehs-debut-ep-alter-ego/description
• http://useedco.wpengine.com/why-crowdfunding-for-universities-and-colleges/
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/crowdfunding-fundraising-schools-tips-best-practices.shtml
• http://www.edutopia.org/crowdfunding-fundraising-resource-guide
• http://www.slideshare.net/EverTrue/the-20-best-highered-crowdfunding-campaigns
• https://www.case.org/Publications_and_Products/2013/MayJune_2013/Crowd_Around.html

16. THANK YOU!