The idea of crowdfunding existed for a number of years, but the popularity of the idea increased thanks to websites like Kickstarter. These sites give people living in cities all around the world the chance to make a donation and help fund a new idea, project or product. As the popularity of those sites increased, charities too notice. You can now donate to animal shelters, AIDS research groups and breast cancer awareness groups online. These charities accept donations ranging from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars.
How Does Crowdfunding Work?
Crowdfunding works in the same way as traditional donating does. The twist is that you make a donation online that goes to support your favorite charity. Websites agree to let charities advertise on those sites. The organizations often explain how much money they need and what they will do with that money. Some also list photographs to grab more attention from users on the site. You might see images of the products that those charities purchase and donate or images of the people and animals that it helps. Some sites take a small percentage of each donation, but other sites give the organizations all the money they raise. You can usually make a donation via debit card, credit card or PayPal.
Do You Get Anything Back?
Whether or not you get anything back when you make a donation depends on the charity itself. Kickstarter lets its users create different donation levels and reward those who donate a specific prize or item based on the amount they donate. Other crowdfunding sites also let charities reward those who donate in various ways. Depending on the size of your donation, you may receive an umbrella, a memorial plaque at the charity or other prizes.
Choosing the Right Organization
Weeding through the various charities listed on a crowdfunding website can be confusing. Reading reviews is one of the best ways to choose the right organization. If you want to donate to a breast cancer organization, you might read Breast Cancer Society Reviews to better understand what the charity does with donations and what will happen when you make a donation. You can also narrow down your choice based on the size of donations needed. Some charities ask for higher donations that are outside of your budget, while others will accept a donation of any size. Narrowing down your selection helps you find the charity that needs your support the most.
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