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Crowdfunding 

The Fresno State crowdfunding platform is designed to empower the Fresno State community to raise funds for projects that impact students and uplift Fresno State’s mission. 

Crowdfunding campaigns run twice a year – the month of April and the month of November. 

Crowdfunding projects are promoted by project leaders and their team members through direct communications like email and social media. Those who are actively engaged by the project team often become donors to the project.

Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in launching a Fresno State Crowdfunding campaign. The Office of Advancement Operations and Annual Giving is ready to help you launch and run a successful campaign. To get started, please read these guidelines so that you can position your project for success. After reading, complete the application.

Who can submit applications?

  • Fresno State faculty and staff
  • Student organizations and clubs
  • Department-based projects and Research
  • Athletics
  • Fresno State Alumni Chapters and Clubs

Project Requirements:

  • A dedicated project leader (see roles/responsibilities)
  • A completed crowdfunding application form
  • Each crowdfunding campaign must further the mission of Fresno State by supporting university programs and initiatives.  For example:
    • Purchasing new equipment
    • Travel fees to attend conferences
    • Funding student workshops
  • All projects must be non-profit in nature. Please note that if a project is selected, the project lead will be required to sign a Crowdfunding Agreement before the campaign is activated.
  • Funds cannot be redirected to a third party, external charity or other non-profit. Fresno State cannot act as a “pass-through” entity to provide funding to other charities or to assist individuals.
  • Funds raised must be used for the project’s stated purpose. Individuals are strictly prohibited from keeping any portion of the funds raised as a profit or compensation.
    Funds raised must be deposited into an established trust account within the Fresno State Foundation.  If an existing trust account is not available that aligns exactly with the stated purpose of the crowdfunding campaign, an application must be completed to establish a new account to be used solely for the proceeds of the crowdfunding campaign. Applications must be approved before fundraising can begin.
  • If the project involves research, the research proposal, and the associated crowdfunding activities must also comply with all laws, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to research, and all University policies.
  • There is a 5% gift-processing fee per Crowdfunding transaction. Funds deposited into project accounts will already have these fees removed from their totals; however, project totals on the Fresno State Crowdfunding website will display the full amount raised.

Campaign Selection and Planning:

Before operations or fundraising activities begin, each campaign must first be approved by Fresno State’s Crowdfunding Committee which will evaluate applications on a competitive basis. Then approval must be received from the applicable dean, director, or other university official with oversight over the beneficiary of the funds.  The Committee will notify the project whether or not they have been selected at least 14 days before the first day of the campaign. The Fresno State Crowdfunding team may discontinue an active project at any time if the project fails to comply with these guidelines and requirements.

The crowdfunding approval committee is comprised of representatives from the following entities:

  • University Advancement
  • Academics
  • University Marketing and Communications
  • Student Involvement

Up to twelve (12) projects will be selected for a month-long campaign. The same group/project may not fundraise in successive academic terms; however, the project may be considered again at a future date. 

Roles/Responsibilities

Project Lead
The project’s lead will be designated as the “Crowdfunding Liaison.” The Crowdfunding Liaison is responsible for launching the campaign and promoting the cause. The Crowdfunding Liaison can only lead ONE project per crowdfunding cycle. The Liaison leads other members of the team who act as “Crowdfunding Project Team Members.” Project Liaisons and Crowdfunding Project Team Members commit to the following responsibilities:

  • Clearly define and communicate the project’s goal.
  • Provide the following materials for use on the Fresno State Crowdfunding website:
    • Project description and a case for support.
    • Video (it is the Crowdfunding Liaison’s responsibility to create, film, edit, and close-caption).
    • Images with descriptions for social sharing and the campaign home page.
    • How donations will be spent.
  • Post project updates on the Fresno State Crowdfunding website throughout the campaign.
  • Post social media updates throughout the campaign by using existing social media groups of the same interest that are managed by the group. Past experience has shown that groups that are able to achieve at least 30% of their goal within the first 48 hours of a campaign are more likely to achieve their total goal.
  • Ongoing outreach to promote the project after launch.
    • The Office of Advancement Operations and Annual Giving does not provide any contact data on alumni, parents, friends, or students. It is up to the Crowdfunding Project Team to contact their personal social networks, connections and contact lists.
    • Fresno State email lists may not be used to promote campaigns.
  • Personal thank you messages after the campaign concludes to thank philanthropic partners and let them know of the progress of the project.
  • Updating philanthropic partners on how funds will be used (for example, notifying philanthropic partners through the crowdfunding platform that the group reached their goal and will be going on a trip).

The Office of Advancement Operations and Annual Giving will:

  • Facilitate the campaign review and approval process
  • Provide support and consultation to project leaders
    • Set and communicate timelines
    • Liaison to obtain approval of Foundation trust account
  • Will issue tax receipts to philanthropic partners. Most gifts will be raised online through  https://crowdfunding.fresnostate.edu/. Some offline funds may be used toward the project’s goal. This includes, but is not limited to, cash, checks, gifts of stock, and other funds awarded or received during the crowdfunding campaign. Gifts in-kind, non-monetary contributions such as food, clothing, books, equipment, or other items, if supporting the project or campaign, may count toward project totals and will be evaluated and considered on an individual basis.
  • May promote the crowdfunding platform during campaigns however, groups should not rely on this for fundraising success.

Gift Details and Compliance:

  • All funds raised from outside of the Fresno State Crowdfunding platform must be delivered to the Office of Advancement Operations and Annual Giving in the Thomas Administration Building, Room 103.
  • There is a $10 minimum donation amount through the Crowdfunding platform.
  • Crowdfunding projects cannot count gifts from pledges, bequests, gifts already allocated to another fund, matching gifts, or money raised through sales, such as bake-sales, raffles, auctions, car washes, or other “give-to-get” fundraising. All gifts must be collected prior to the project’s deadline.
  • In the event that full funding is necessary to achieve the project goal (for example, the purchase of a piece of equipment), the unit Vice President, Dean of the School/College or unit director must approve the project and goal during the application process and commit to providing the remainder of funds needed if the project goal is not met. If not, a  statement must be included that the funds will be used for a specific alternate purpose if the goal is not reached.
  • If the funds raised do not meet the fundraising goal of a project but can still be used to offset the costs of the project without requiring additional funding from the college/unit (i.e., student travel expenses for a college-related trip), the project will receive the funds raised to be used as described in their application. Funds raised through crowdfunding should be used within the fiscal year the project closes. No funds may be held over for other uses or to accumulate additional funds. Any unspent funds may not be allocated to any purpose other than those outlined upfront in the crowdfunding campaign.
  • All donated funds through crowdfunding projects are the property of the Fresno State Foundation. If faculty, staff, or students (aligned with the crowdfunding campaign) leave the University, the funds remain the property of the Fresno State Foundation.
  • Use of crowdfunding to raise funds at Fresno State and accompanying campus crowdfunding procedures is subject to all University and Fresno State Foundation rules, policies, compliance regulations, and state and federal law.
  • Fresno State’s name, branding, and/or logo may not be used without prior written approval by the appropriate approving official as set forth in campus procedures at http://brand.fresnostate.edu/.
  • Projects cannot violate any laws. Fresno State reserves the right to decline any project based on content or discontinue an active campaign at any time due to changes in the group’s eligibility status.
  • The Fresno State Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution with a mission to actively promote philanthropy and manage donated resources for the advancement of Fresno State. All projects must comply with the University’s mission.

For questions regarding these guidelines, please contact the Office of Advancement Operations and Annual Giving at 559.278.4036.