2024 Summer Resources

Crowdfunding has become a popular and viable means to raise funds for a wide variety of goals and projects. Remember, simply being asked is the number one reason people make a donation, no special incentives necessary. And let’s be crystal clear: you’re asking for an investment, not a handout.

As BIPOC artists, including those of us with varying intersections of marginalized identities, crowdfunding can trigger shame around need. Part of our work, both as embodied human beings and as artists, is to shift narratives. Writers have the power to shift perspectives, create new worlds, and speak truth to the difficult parts of human experience. Writing is a crucial and necessary component to building new, safer worlds for BIPOC and intersectionality-marginalized communities.

When reaching out to your network, consider the story you are telling—Is this a shameful ask? Or are you inviting someone to invest in a deeper relationship with you, and in your toolset for creating change within our communities? The Building Movement Project has a Social Change Ecosystem Map you may want to review (along with the accompanying materials) for language to help you form your own narrative about your role in changing the world.

While the idea of setting up a campaign for yourself may feel stressful, the anxiety around crowdfunding is significantly reduced by having a plan. The resources below will help you to have a mindful, centered crowdfunding experience.

Resources:

• Download this Crowdfunding Tips document to get started.

• This archived article from Miami University of Ohio is another great starting point. It’s directed towards students looking to secure research funding and includes some interesting statistics to bolster your crowdfunding strategy.

Crowdfunding Platforms:

• My Modern Met provides a good list of available platforms, including Indiegogo, GoFundMe and Patreon

  • Make sure to scroll to page two for additional advice and tips for conducting a campaign.

  • Keep in mind there may be a delay in receiving your funds after you reach your goal, so make sure to build in extra time between your planned funding deadline and when tuition payments are due.

• Donorbox – A campaign set up by VONA to help you reach your goals

VONA created this Donorbox campaign to try and simplify the crowdfunding space and support your fundraising to attend this summer’s program.

Through Donorbox you can easily create your own VONA Summer Workshop fundraising web page. You can post your picture, a personal message, information about the workshop or residency, and a personal fundraising goal to be viewed by your network of friends, family, and colleagues. To create your own fundraising page, go to donorbox and click on the “I Want To Fundraise For This” button.

The benefit of using Donorbox over other platforms is the money will go directly to VONA; you won’t have to collect the funds and then submit payment. It also means contributions will be 100% tax deductible. However, additional monies raised beyond your stated goal cannot be returned and will, in effect, be a donation to VONA. If you use Donorbox, please keep an eye on the numbers so you do not exceed your goal.