What makes a good crowdfunding pitch?

Crowdfunding campaigns are tools used to crowdsource financial support for your art, to get the word out to as many people as possible to expand your reach, and to excite and motivate current and new donors about your work. The key to a great pitch is making sure you are telling your story, painting a clear picture of the scope and impact of your work along with the need and urgency to make it happen. See tips and tools below on writing an affective pitch.   

Project Description:  

This is the space to elaborate on what specifically you are fundraising for. Be clear, concise, and inviting. Donors will be connecting themselves personally with this work once they hit that donate button, you want them to know exactly what they are becoming a part of. 

Ex: Charles Home for Gifted Youngsters is a safe learning environment for young artists. Students are provided an opportunity for higher learning and the tools to understand their artistic skills. We are fundraising to expand our learning annex by including quality supplies for our visual and performing arts. Your donation gives young artists the creativity they need to become well-rounded and reliable cultural agents for equality.      

Goals:

What are you planning to achieve with your project once the funds are secured? Tell us the specific outcomes of the work you are looking to create. These goals are the bridge between your campaign, your donors, and your community. Goals should be specific, something for which success can be clearly measured.   

Ex: Build an exhibition/performance space for students’ final projects

Hire 3 more staff members to take in 15 more gifted youngsters

Do 3 exhibitions a year and 4 performances a year   

Expenses: 

Let visitors know exactly how you’ll use donated funds. For example, you might be paying for artist fees, production, space rental, etc. This not only allows them to be a part of your journey, but also informs them about how much you are trying to raise to make the project happen. 

Ex: $3000 towards renovations

$1000 labor

$2000 towards art supplies

$2000 towards theater lighting  

Team: 

Let us know more about the organizers, artists, and people involved in making your work happen. Detail the expertise each person provides to the work; how are they the best team for success?   

Audience: 

Tell us what audience you intend to reach. Who consumes your work, and what need do you fulfill for this audience? By making a contribution, donors will feel that they are benefiting this audience through the success of your work. Let them know just who their funds will help. 

Impact:

Why now? Donors need to know what is pivotal about this moment in time. What makes this the perfect time for them to give and how will this moment spark change for your work? How will this benefit those involved, the communities you serve, or the company’s growth right now? This shows the donor the true value and urgency of your work.  

Other ways to donate and share

There are a number of ways to contribute, donors can give noncash donations, provide nonprofit rates for space, or rental equipment, and of course sharing on social media and more! Let donors know how to tell others about the campaign. The public is not constantly perusing crowdfunding sites to see who to donate to like we all wish. Getting the word out is time consuming and it’s not only about reaching who you know, but about reaching those who your friends and family know as well. There are many ways to give, make sure your community knows all the ways they can get involved.