Giving Compass' Take:

• Eugenie Harvey discusses The Funding Network's unique approach for small grassroots nonprofits to receive donations through a live crowd-funding model.

• How can the live crowd-funding model be implemented more broadly to increase small donor engagement?

• Read about why a decline in smaller donors matters.

The Funding Network has pioneered live crowdfunding as a means of raising money for and awareness of the vital work done by small, grassroots non-profit organizations.

TFN’s live crowdfunding model involves 3-4 small non-profit organizations making six-minute pitches at a live event attended by 70-100 potential donors.  The format has been described as part-TED talk, part-live auction, conducted within an atmosphere of high energy and emotion.

Following a study visit to London in 2017 hosted by INSPIRE, Konekt, the leading organisation for developing philanthropy and corporate social responsibility in North Macedonia, organised its first event in June 2018. The event was held in the country’s capital, Skopje, as part of it’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

The three organizations and the initiatives they fundraised for are below:

  • Open the Windows promotes the use of assistive technology for the integration of persons with disabilities in education. Funds were raised to cover the individualized educational courses for children with disabilities.
  • HOPS (Healthy Options Project Skopje) promotes the human rights of marginalized groups such as people with drug addictions, commercial sex workers, and other at-risk populations. Funds raised from the event enabled the children of drug users (which are usually stigmatized and do not get the same opportunities in life) to attend English language courses, enroll in organized sports activities, etc.
  • Wilson Macedonia focuses on early diagnosis for the Wilson disease-a rare sickness. Early detection and identification of the disease is crucial for survival of patients (the organization is established by people who have or their children have the disease). Funds from this event went towards educating doctors for early detection and disease identification (the number one reason for fatal cases is due to improper diagnosis).

More than 80 people attended the event. Fifty donations collectively raised 4,500 euros for the three organizations.

Read the full article about spreading philanthropy globally through live crowd-funding by Eugenie Harvey at Philanthropy In Focus.