Our Crowdfunding Groups
Welcome to Ball State University's Crowdfunding platform! Before applying, please review the crowdfunding guidelines below.
Before crowdfunding, it is the project lead’s responsibility to review and understand the following guidelines. The Ball State University Foundation reserves the right to revise these guidelines at any time. Members of the Ball State University Foundation in its sole discretion will determine the eligibility of participating crowdfunding projects on the ScaleFunder platform. Foundation staff may discontinue an active fundraiser at any time because of a project’s failure to comply with these guidelines.
ScaleFunder is Ball State’s crowdfunding platform that helps our award-winning faculty and registered student organizations fund their passion projects. Our staff works closely with each project lead to provide strategic crowdfunding management and consulting.
Prior to launching the crowdfunding campaign, all projects must have an approved fund set up through the Ball State Foundation to which gifts can be accepted and then distributed to the respective campus units account.
The use of crowdfunding to raise funds in support of a project is subject to all Ball State University policies and local, state and federal laws.
Campaign project leads will be responsible for identifying potential contributors. It is the discretion of the Ball State Foundation to provide additional data and/or support through a multi-channel approach.
The Ball State Foundation staff is committed to providing the best crowdfunding consulting services in order to help your team achieve your project’s goals. By using the crowdfunding platform, you and your team must actively agree to solicit your networks through social media, email, phone, events, and other fundraising opportunities.
There is a $5 minimum gift amount through the Crowdfunding platform.
Projects will be hosted on the crowdfunding platform for a pre-determined amount of time, typically a month-long period. Shorter campaigns tend to drive urgency and perform strongly. The same group may not fundraise in consecutive campaigns but may be eligible for future Crowdfunding efforts.
Any funds raised for a crowdfunding project outside of the crowdfunding platform must be delivered to the Ball State Foundation. All checks should be made payable to the Ball State Foundation and should be mailed or delivered to 2800 West Bethel Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304.
Any failure to follow these guidelines may result in the cancellation of the project and the inability to engage in future crowdfunding campaigns.
When applying for Ball State Crowdfunding, project leads agree to provide the following:
-Project description and a case for support
-Video (it is the project leads responsibility to create, film and edit)
-Images for description, social sharing and crowdfunding home page
-Project leader bios and photos
-Budget breakdown (how donations will be spent)
-Non-monetary perks for donations in multiple increments (such as a social media shout out)
-Signed Crowdfunding Contract (must be signed before the project can begin fundraising)
-Project updates throughout the campaign
-Ongoing outreach to promote the project after launch
-Personal ‘Thank You’ messages after the campaign concludes to thank donors and let them know of their project progress
Who can apply to use Ball State Crowdfunding?
All registered Ball State University student organizations, competitive sports, and academic teams, full-time faculty, Ball State staff members, development officers, schools, colleges, institutes, departments, and various other members of the Ball State community. Prior to launching the crowdfunding campaign, all projects must have an approved fund set up through the Ball State Foundation.
What do Ball State Crowdfunding gifts support?
It depends on the project you choose to support! Projects can use gifts to fund scholarships or travel, to expand research opportunities, or for immersive learning experiences. We want you to feel good about making your philanthropic investment with Ball State Crowdfunding, which is why the projects we host are required to keep you updated on the impact your donations have made even after the crowdfunding campaign is over.
Why should someone contribute?
There are a number of reasons why you might contribute, but feeling passionate about the project and how your gift will help change our community is certainly a big reason. Your gift, whether big or small, supports the Cardinals who are remarkable pioneers, scholars, global leaders, and thought drivers.
Are gifts tax deductible?
Absolutely! The Ball State University Foundation is a not-for-profit institution with the simple goal of providing Cardinals with the financial support to deliver a world-class education.
What kind of campaigns are successful on Ball State Crowdfunding?
Successful campaigns are typically community-focused and led by passionate project managers who are ready to make a difference!
How long does it take to prepare for a campaign?
We recommend that crowdfunding teams set aside 30 to 45 days to plan and prepare prior to their campaign launch. A good rule of thumb is to apply 90-days before you need your funding in the bank. That gives a team time to apply, be approved, plan and implement their campaigns within the platform.
I don't want to make a gift at the suggested levels. Can I still support this project and be counted?
Absolutely! The levels are simply intended for you to better understand how your gift will make a difference. Simply fill in the amount you'd like to donate in the top field under 'Please enter the amount you would like to contribute,' and then complete the rest of the giving form.
Absolutely! All gifts to Ball State University campaigns are tax-deductible.
We are happy to respect your privacy and you are free to hide your name, the amount you give, or all information regarding your gift on a project's donor wall. However, selecting these options does not mean your gift is anonymous to the Ball State Foundation, and you will receive donor credit and all applicable tax benefits.
