Understanding Crowdfunding

Learn. Strategize. Execute.

Crowdfunding on GiveCampus gives your campaign the power of community, storytelling, and technology to drive philanthropy.

• Mobile-first. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, credit card
• Constant Engagement through student, faculty, or staff video testimonial, Advocate share-outs and campaign updates! 
• Goal-oriented. Campaigns fund a specific project with a clear deadline and dollar goal — with stretch goals unlocked as momentum grows.
• Socially amplified. Supporters share links through Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn, multiplying visibility through Ambassador leaderboards and tracked referral links.
• Inclusive. Every gift matters — from $10 student donors to alumni challenge matches.
• Native to how donors engage today. Donors meet your campaign where they already are — on mobile, in their feeds, and in their peer networks.

💡 Crowdfunding has grown into a $20+ billion global movement. At SJSU, it’s an opportunity to bring Spartans together!

Example of your Crowdfunding Team Structure
Successful crowdfunding campaigns are team-driven. Each role plays a vital part in storytelling, outreach, and amplification.

1–2 Project Leaders

• Serve as primary contact with the Digital Philanthropy team
• Define the project story, goal, impact statement/ campaign card and timeline
• Upload photos/videos
• Coordinate donor communications and assets (content, photos, frequency, etc.)
• Build an initial solicitation list (~50 contacts) for early outreach.

3–5 Project Champions

• Create short-form content (photos, 30–60 sec clips, testimonials)
• Manage donor segments (alumni, peers, family, etc.)
• Maintain personal solicitation lists (~25 contacts each)
• Add regular/ exciting Updates to your original social media campaign post

Advocates (as many as possible!)

• Use personalized Advocate Links for tracked sharing
• Post campaign updates and challenges on social media
• Promote through creative outlets — student org pages, school newsletter, your blogs/ podcasts.

📈 Tip: Projects that recruit 20+ active Ambassadors raise 4–5x more than those without them.

Why It Works

Measurable, interactive, and community-powered

• real-time leaderboards help with engagement.
• match and challenge tools gamify giving.
• outreach, combined with smart payment options makes donation easy.

With peer-to-peer engagement strategy, you can build an active network of supporters.