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Crowdfunding Tips
From $0 to Fully Funded-Tips for From $0 to Fully Funded— Better Crowdfunding Writing Tips for Better Crowdfunding Writing CROWDFUNDING CROWDFUNDING
More and more educators are taking money out of their More and more educators are taking money out of their pockets to fund pockets to fund both basic needs and those other items both basic needs and those other items that make learning more engaging for students. As crowdfunding, on sites like DonorsChoose, become more popular to pay for school needs, it's important to nd that make learning more engaging for students. As crowdfunding, on sites like DonorsChoose, become more ways to make your projects stand out. Here are a few tips to go from $0 popular to pay for school needs, it's important to find ways to make your projects stand out. Here are a few tips to go from $0 to fully funded.
Skip the Fancy Education Words
You're educators, so you know your "language." But, educators and don't necessarily understand your pedagogy or Lexile Levels. When crafting your message to donors, use simple words, and speak in lay language. If your goal is to increase reading levels, say something like, "My goal is to help my students read various types of text as they enter middle school."
Talk Students, Not Supplies
Be descriptive when talking about your needs. Don't just simply say you need notebooks, talk about the creative stories your students will write on the pages of those notebooks. If you need popsicle sticks, explain how your students will transform those popsicle sticks into catapults for a lesson on gravity. It's important to give your future donor a picture of a child putting your donation to use.
Break Through—Be Creative
Chances are there are other projects in your district, and likely your school, that are also vying for online crowdsource funding. When naming your project, think creatively. Remember, you're in essence fighting for funding so you need to market your project in the best way possible. Take this example from a school in Portland asking for new instruments for their music class—"You Know We're All About that Bass Xylophone!" Playing off the popular song for the project's title catches the potential donors' eyes.
Start Small
You may need a lot, but if you're just starting out with crowdsource funding, think twice before asking for everything in one project. Consider breaking up your "asks" into several smaller projects. The less you ask for, the more likely you'll get funded quickly and attain the supplies you need for your students.
Share Your Project
This is where you turn into a marketing director again, and share your project beyond your inner circle of family and friends. If you want people to donate, you need to tell people what you're doing. Share a link with parents, the PTA, any organization you think may be willing to help. AND, don't forget to share it on social media! You never know who may be willing to help unless you ask.
Always Have a Project Listed for Funding
Once you've started, don't stop. It's likely there will always be something your classroom and students need, so make sure you have a project online, ready for funding. You never know when a company or celebrity decides to make a donation that will fully fund your project. Think of how much of a bummer it would be to miss out on the generosity of those more fortunate simply because you didn't have a project posted.
