Why do people support projects?

REWARDS! Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards (products, benefits, and experiences).

What is fundraiser?

fundraiser is a new way to fund creative projects. We believe that: A good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide. A large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement. fundraiser is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands.

How do I start a project?

Anyone that meets our creator requirements is eligible to launch a project on Fundraiser.

Just click the blue "Start a project" button on the start page to begin building your project. You can find tips on structuring and running your project in our Fundraiser, and refer to the Fundraiser Guideline to make sure your project idea is a good fit. Meanwhile, feel free to save your project as a draft and return to finish it up or submit it for review at a later date.

Who is responsible for completing a project as promised?

It's the project creator's responsibility to complete their project. fundraiser  is not involved in the development of the projects themselves.

fundraiser does not guarantee projects or investigate a creator's ability to complete their project. On fundraiser , backers (you!) ultimately decide the validity and worthiness of a project by whether they decide to fund it. 

How do backers know if a project will follow through?

Launching a fundraiser is a very public act, and creators put their reputations at risk when they do.

Backers should look for creators who share a clear plan for how their project will be completed and who have a history of doing so. Creators are encouraged to share links and as much background information as possible so backers can make informed decisions about the projects they support.

If a creator has no demonstrable experience in doing something like their project or doesn't share key information, backers should take that into consideration. Does the creator include links to any websites that show work related to the project, or past projects? Does the creator appear in the video? Have they connected via Facebook?

Don't hesitate to request information from a creator. You can always reach out before pledging via the "Contact me" button on the project page.

How do I know a project creator is who they claim they are?

Perhaps you know the project creator, or you heard about the project from a trusted source.

Maybe they have a first-person video. That would be hard to fake. "Is it really U2 ?" Well, it is if Bono's talking about the project.

Still not sure? Look for the creator bio section on the project page. Are they Facebook Connected? Do they provide links for further verification? The web is an invaluable resource for learning more about a person.

At the end of the day, use your internet street smarts.

What should creators do if they're having problems completing their project?

If problems come up, creators are expected to post a project update (which is emailed to all backers) explaining the situation. Sharing the story, speed bumps and all, is crucial. Most backers support projects because they want to see something happen and they'd like to be a part of it. Creators who are honest and transparent will usually find backers to be understanding.

It's not uncommon for things to take longer than expected. Sometimes the execution of the project proves more difficult than the creator had anticipated. If a creator is making a good faith effort to complete their project and is transparent about it, backers should do their best to be patient and understanding while demanding continued accountability from the creator.

If the problems are severe enough that the creator can't fulfill their project, creators need to find a resolution. Steps could include offering refunds, detailing exactly how funds were used, and other actions to satisfy backers. 

Is a creator legally obligated to fulfill the promises of their project?

Yes. fundraiser's Terms of Use require creators to fulfill all rewards of their project or refund any backer whose reward they do not or cannot fulfill. We crafted these terms to create a legal requirement for creators to follow through on their projects, and to give backers a recourse if they don't. We hope that backers will consider using this provision only in cases where they feel that a creator has not made a good faith effort to complete the project and fulfill.

Can fundraiser refund the money if a project is unable to fulfill?

No. fundraiser doesn't issue refunds as transactions are between backers and creators directly. Creators receive all funds (less fees) soon after their campaign ends. Creators have the ability to refund backers through Paypal Payments (for US projects) and fundraiser (for non-US projects).

Why can't fundraiser guarantee projects?

We started fundraiser as a new way for creators and audiences to work together to make things. The traditional funding systems are risk-averse and profit-focused, and tons of great ideas never get a chance. We thought fundraiser could open the door to a much wider variety of ideas and allow everyone to decide what they wanted to see exist in the world. 

fundraiser is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative ideas. Many of the projects you see on fundraiser are in earlier stages of development and are looking for a community to bring them to life. The fact that fundraiser allows creators to take risks and attempt to create something new is a feature, not a bug.