Crowdfunding For Education Online
If you are in the field of education, you may be considering crowdfunding for your project. Using crowdfunding to fund your project makes the process of requesting and receiving support easier and creates a culture of gratitude. It is a common practice among many teachers. In fact, it is growing in popularity.
Crowdfunding is a less stressful tool for requesting and giving support
Compared to other funding methods, crowdfunding does not require repayment or ownership interest. While some campaigns do not meet their funding goals, others are successful enough to receive the full amount they seek. There are also rewards for higher donations. These may include a T-shirt or a product or service offered at a discount. In addition, crowdfunding can be used to provide startups or small businesses with equity, which they can then use to provide services or products to the community at large.
The process of seeking crowdfunding support is less stressful for students because many donors are friends or family who understand the hardships of a student. Most of these donors are interested in receiving a reward for their financial support. Because crowdfunding is an online process, students may have more time to focus on their studies.
When planning a crowdfunding campaign, it is important to be open and honest. If you're not transparent about the project, it may not succeed. A successful campaign will require a compelling story and a marketing plan to attract interest and support from potential investors. It is also important to conduct research on the crowdfunding platform. Some platforms may not give out all the funds raised, while others may only pay out if you reach your funding goal. You also need to be aware of fees charged by the crowdfunding platform.
It increases the amount of money raised
Schools are increasingly turning to crowdfunding websites and wish lists to increase the amount of money they can raise. Government budget cuts are forcing schools to look at alternative ways to raise money. As a result, there are now over 1,000 education campaigns on GoFundMe, and more than 70 million dollars has been raised. With crowdfunding sites like these, anyone can start a campaign to raise money for their school. Another popular site is PledgeCents, which is more targeted for smaller schools. In 2017, it raised more than $2 million for K-12 projects.
Online crowdfunding for education allows teachers to leverage the power of the Internet to raise money for classroom supplies. Teachers often need to dip into their paychecks to cover expenses, including new textbooks and other classroom supplies. But even basic supplies can be hard to find. In addition to classroom supplies, teachers also need funding for enrichment activities and specialized learning tools. By leveraging the power of the online community to raise funds, teachers can give their students the best possible education.
It creates a culture of gratitude
One school in Oakland, California, has successfully used crowdsourcing to create a culture of gratitude. Using a gratitude website, GiveThx, the school has successfully completed a pilot program that lasts four weeks. Maria, a teacher, shared how the program gave her students a sense of appreciation and belonging.
The practice of gratitude is beneficial for academic achievement, social integration, and prosocial behaviors, which improve school performance and student wellbeing. Although the program was a success, it had some drawbacks. Its public shout-out format presented accessibility issues for shy students, young men, and language learners.
It is becoming more common among teachers
As budgets tighten, more teachers are turning to online crowdfunding to raise money for their classroom materials. Teachers can use websites like DonorsChoose to post a campaign with pictures of their classroom and a brief description of the project. Many out-of-pocket classroom expenses total more than $1,000 a year.
One study estimates that more than one third of teachers use crowdfunding online to fund classroom supplies. The study looked at 220,000 teacher-submitted education-related projects on sites like DonorsChoose. In one year, these campaigns raised $58 million for teachers and school supplies. This back-to-school season, DonorsChoose had more than 50,000 active campaigns.
Some educators see crowdfunding as the best option to raise money quickly. Others wonder whether it lets legislators off the hook for adequately funding schools.
