The application for Fall 2023 Projects (Nov 1 – Dec 5 burst) is available now!
Start your crowdfunding application
| Timeline date | Timeline event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Sept. 27 | Deadline to apply |
| Friday, Sept. 30 | Notification of application status (You will hear back within three business days upon completion of an application submitted sooner.) |
| Tuesday, Nov. 1 | Projects launch |
| Tuesday, Dec. 6 | Projects close |
Crowdfunding overview
Cornell Crowdfunding launched in 2016 to help support student organizations on campus raise current use funds to support their projects and initiatives throughout the year.
Since that time Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development have supported more than 150 projects teams that have raised more the $2 million dollars, helping to inspire a new generation of Cornell donors.
Eligibility
Gifts made on the Cornell Crowdfunding platform are treated as gifts to Cornell University. They are tax-deductible under Cornell’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. They go through Cornell’s online giving, gift processing, receipting, and recording protocols. So, use of the platform is restricted to projects that meet our eligibility criteria.
- Projects must plan to raise at least $5,000.
- Projects must have a Cornell sponsor (college/unit faculty or staff member).
- Funds raised must be used under the supervision of the Cornell sponsor. Projects raising money that will be passed along to other nonprofits are not eligible.
- Projects must have the approval of the ranking development officer in their relevant college or unit. Not sure who this is for your area? Contact jgregory@cornell.edu
Projects that do not meet all four of these criteria are not eligible to use the Cornell Crowdfunding platform.
Project team
Project teams must have at least 10 people in leadership or ambassador roles. The larger the project goal, the larger the project team should be. All project team members will complete crowdfunding training before launch. There are three key roles that make up each project team.
Fundraising leader
- point of contact between Alumni Affairs and the project team
- responsible for overseeing project progress and submitting project requirements
- tasked with writing campaign updates, creating a campaign video, and sending thank you notes
- tasks can be delegated to other team members. Remember, it is the fundraising leader’s responsibility to make sure tasks are completed.
Project sponsor
- Must be a Cornell faculty or staff member
- acts as a liaison between the project team and Alumni Affairs and Development staff
- responsible for providing fund account information.
- Advises the project’s long-term fundraising and stewardship strategy.
Project ambassadors
- volunteers committed to fundraising on behalf of the project
- must complete our Communications Training and identify at least 20 personal contacts
- Each ambassador is required to send at least 5 emails to their contact list during the campaign
- emails include pre-launch announcements, campaign updates, and donor thank yous.
- Ambassadors can also support the project leader with other aspects of the campaign. They can write campaign updates, appear in a campaign video, or send thank you notes.