Need more funding for your on-campus club or or- ganization? Crowdfunding can be a powerful tool to help raise extra funds for your members to thrive and suc- ceed.
Crowdfunding is a way for clubs and organizations across campus to raise funds over one to two month period. Emily Blaser, Digital Giving Officer at Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, gave more info on what crowdfunding is, “Crowd- funding is a project-specific 30-60 day online fundraising campaign in which a passion- ate group of advocates, with assistance from the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, solicit online donations from their own personal contacts including alumni and University friends via text message, email, and social media. This digital fundraising tool empowers members of the Monmouth community to collaborate, participate in, and promote projects aimed at enhancing student success and institutional achievement.”
To apply, clubs and organizations must first submit their project for consideration. “All currently recognized student groups, faculty, and staff can apply to have their projects listed on fly. monmouth.edu. Anyone on campus can submit a crowd- funding project for consideration, provided that they are a currently enrolled student, or officially affiliated with an academic unit or administrative department. Monmouth University’s crowd- funding project selection committee, in its sole discretion, will determine the eligibility of participating projects on the crowdfunding platform. Once approved, clubs can return each semester to fundraise for their goals and club needs,” Blaser further explained.
After the club’s application is approved, their website will be launched. From there, members are encouraged to send and share the donation link to friends, family, and social media followers.
“This semester, we have 12 student-run clubs/organizations actively fundraising. Each project is unique and requires careful oversight from my team, but ultimately, it’s up to the students to secure the necessary funds. We provide guidance throughout the process, regularly checking in with each club to address questions. I’ve developed a crowdfunding toolkit that includes customizable texts, emails, and social media posts, along with graphics for sharing. Additionally, I send weekly emails to club members to update them on their progress and suggest ways to engage potential donors. Ambassadors play a vital role in this effort, leading the charge in promoting their projects and rallying support from their networks,” added Blaser.
“We are able to plan ahead and send out the link to as many people as we can in order to reach our goal. Crowdfunding is a great incentive to members of American Marketing Association (AMA) and a way to come together on reaching a goal that benefits the group,” said Alyson Lambiase,
senior marketing and management student and Treasurer of Monmouth’s chapter of AMA.
This is AMA’s first year participating in crowdfunding; the club has raised $400 since beginning their campaign this year. “Other clubs should participate in crowdfunding. It is very easy to operate and send out, plus you can become an ambassador for the fundraiser,” continued Lambiase.
Crowdfunding has proven to be beneficial to a number of clubs across campus, allowing these organizations to attend and host events, expand outreach, and invest in long-term goals.
Monmouth’s chapter of The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Shadow PR Firm are another group of first-time participants in crowdfunding. “Crowdfunding is helping PRSSA access extra opportunities we aren’t able to cover with our SGA budget, such as fun events for members, so I’d definitely suggest other clubs give it a try,” said Ashley Schumacher, senior communication student and Co-president of PRSSA.
“Crowdfunding has benefit- ed my club by making it pos- sible to create more events on campus. We have the resources and funds to make campus a more inclusive space. To add on, as a club we are not as stressed about our budget and seeing if we will be able to pro- gram events,” shared Tatiana Romero, senior finance student and President of Monmouth’s Latin American Student Orga- nization (LASO).
Jefferson Gonzalez, senior communication student and former President of LASO, added, “Crowdfunding has done wonders for our club, it really shows how many people care about and support the club more than just the students that are involved in it. We see family members, friends, and even alumni are willing to help out and support to make the club the best it can be. I highly recommend that other clubs participate in crowdfunding because it can go a long way. Having extra funds can help in unexpected ways and can add so much to your club.”
Blaser concluded, “Crowdfunding is a great resource for Monmouth’s student run clubs and organizations to secure funding for their initiatives. Its popularity is largely due to its digital nature, which allows for broad outreach and immediate engagement. Funds raised go directly into Monmouth-issued gift accounts, simplifying the donation process. This method not only enables student organizations to pursue ambitious projects but also allows for collaboration among peers, helping them effectively achieve their goals. Key to this effort are the project’s ambassadors—club members who are dedicated to promoting the campaign and distributing the project link throughout its duration. Their active involvement is crucial, as effective promotion is key to driving success.”
If your club or organization is interested in applying for crowdfunding in the spring semester, reach out to Emily Blaser for more information. Remember – every penny counts!
