About

ECU Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding at ECU enables faculty, and students working with faculty/staff sponsors, to make a collective impact on fundraising opportunities at the university. These campaigns offer donors and potential donors another way to fund their passions and support ECU.

Process:

Step 1: ECU faculty or students with a faculty/staff sponsor apply to create a crowdfunding campaign.

Step 2: Applications are reviewed by appropriate college personnel, the Crowdfunding Approval Committee, and Academic Council for faculty proposed projects, or through Student Affairs for student-proposed non-academic projects.

Step 3: Once accepted, the project is placed on ECU’s crowdfunding website for 45 days with a monetary goal.

Step 4: Donors support the project by making contributions through ECU’s crowdfunding website during the 45-day campaign period.

Step 5: At the conclusion of the 45-day campaign, project leaders are notified of total funding received and can take the next steps in their project. Donors should receive follow-up from crowdfunding project leaders regarding the success of the campaign.

Phases of a Campaign:

Planning/Quiet Phase

During this time (4-6 weeks prior to beginning of campaign), project leaders should be preparing for their campaign to launch: creating videos and content for crowdfunding page, compiling photographs and email lists, developing strategies for outreach, preparing social media posts, etc.

Active Phase

The active phase will last 45 days and constitutes the “live” campaign for active fundraising. Project leaders and team members will play an integral role in asking for financial support of the project through social media and email, including personal and professional contact lists. Photos, videos, and content updates will need to be provided to the Office of Annual Giving to make updates on the campaign page within the crowdfunding platform to keep information fresh and engaging for donors and potential donors. Project leaders and team members should be available to answer questions and raise awareness about details of their project.

Fulfillment Phase

Upon completion of the campaign, project leaders and/or team members are responsible for sending out “thank yous” with final details of campaign success to all donors. Funds raised will be distributed appropriately.