Fund the Fortress Crowdfunding

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet, social media, and word of mouth.

What kind of crowdfunding campaigns are most successful?

Crowdfunding campaigns that have strong engagement via social media and email are generally the most successful. Using the energy and enthusiasm of your department representatives or students can have a very strong impact on the results of the crowdfunding campaign. Please visit our Fund the Fortress page for more information on past projects that have been successful.

Applications will be processed by our committee and 3-5 crowdfunding campaigns will be selected before the start of each semester. Applications submitted after these dates will be moved to the next semester and the applicant will be notified of this. 

Who decides that a project will be added to Fund the Fortress Crowdfunding?

Wartburg College’s Annual Giving Office will review all applications and meet with each interested group individually to assess their project needs. Subject matter experts will be brought in to consult on a case-by-case basis and form our committee. To be selected, a project must demonstrate commitment, project appeal and potential for goal achievement.

Criteria our committee will consider: 

• Number of students positively impacted or the level of benefit to the college.
• Number of members in your department or students that will be involved to promote your crowdfunding campaign.  
• Whether this offers a one-time enhancement or an ongoing benefit to the college or students. 
• Whether there are other potential funding sources that could support your idea. 
• Whether your department head or supervisor has supported your idea for a project.

How much information do I need to provide on the application?

Provide as much as possible. It is easier to assess a crowdfunding campaign’s potential if you answer each question specifically and explain why you possess the tools to run a successful crowdfunding campaign. Crowdfunding campaigns should appeal to a broader audience and have the potential to become viral on social media. In your application, explain how your group is unique and what you would do with the funds that you raise.

What is an appropriate funding goal for projects?

Fund the Fortress recommends an initial fundraising goal of $3,000 – $15,000 based on the success of prior projects. We will consider each project’s goal on a case-by-case basis. Realistic goals and stretch goals are set based on the size of your group and the number of contacts provided.

What kinds of projects can be submitted?

Anyone on campus can apply to submit a project through Fund the Fortress, provided that they are either officially affiliated with an academic unit or recognized as a student organization by Student LIfe. Fund the Fortress welcomes applications from faculty, staff and student organizations with enough interest to make the project viable. The best crowdfunding campaigns have a specific deadline that creates a sense of urgency to encourage donations during the 30-day period during which a project is live. If you are unsure about whether or not your project is suitable for Fund the Fortress, please e-mail development@wartburg.edu.

Will our project still receive the money even if our goal is not met?

Yes, crowdfunding campaigns will receive all the funding donated to their project even if the goal has not been met.

Will my crowdfunding campaign gift be tax-deductible?

Contributions to crowdfunding campaigns support specific areas of Wartburg College and are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

What will my responsibility with the crowdfunding campaign be?

Fund the Fortress crowdfunding campaigns can typically be broken up into three phases: the quiet phase, the active phase, and post campaign. You will work with the development office to ensure the activities below are completed: 

THE QUIET PHASE (4-6 WEEKS PRIOR TO LAUNCH)

• Setting up meetings with Development Office (Usually once weekly)
• Gathering team and delegating duties
• Marketing materials (collecting and approving video, photos, written content, postcard, social media posts, etc.)
• Forming contacts and lists for outreach (development office will pull a list of alumni that may be supportive of your project, it is encouraged that your department forms its own list to increase chances of success)

ACTIVE PHASE (30-45 DAYS)

• Share project link through social media, email, postcards, etc. (your team should be pushing participation on their own social media pages and your department affiliated social media sites)
• Utilize calendar to stay on track and have reoccurring engagement
• Thank donors that have given and continue to post updates on the project (donor lists can be provided from development staff for this activity)
• Implement stretch goal information if original goal is met

POST CAMPAIGN

• Post final updates to donors
• Steward donors who have given that you haven’t thanked already

Below are past Fund the Fortress projects. Click on each to learn more.

• Baseball – HitTrax
• Classroom Modernization
• Exercise Science Equipment
• Food Pantry – St. Elizabeth Bread Basket
• International Tour – Castle Singers and Kammerstreicher
• International Tour – Wartburg Choir
• International Tour – Wind Ensemble
• KWAR Audio Board
• Paula Survilla Living Classroom
• Social Work – 75th Anniversary
• Wartburg Archives Project