Top 5 crowdfunding platforms that nonprofits, social causes can use

Crowdfunding platforms have done their part in launching ideas and services off the ground, and they still do to this day. Using the same principle, the crowdfunding industry is looking to revolutionize a new set of organizations. Instead of supporting up and coming entrepreneurs, these platforms are set out to serve as the catalysts for social causes and nonprofits.
Fundly
One of the most important things for donors is that they get quick updates on the organizations or projects that they support. This is where Fundly shines the most. The platform offers a blog-like section for organizations through which they can provide the latest developments on their projects. It also serves as their main portal for communication with their backers.
Fundly also offers a free-to-download mobile app. It can be used by nonprofits and backers if they want updates on-the-go.
OpenIDEO
OpenIDEO is unique in a sense that it doesn’t only serve as a funding platform for social causes. The company believes that the future will be best shaped by the hands of many through open innovation.
Participating merchants can use OpenIDEO as a gateway to growth and development. They can receive community feedback which they can use to further develop their plans. By going through such a rigorous brainstorming process, the resulting project will develop a loyal following along the way.
The OpenIDEO community made up of countless individuals all over the world has already engaged with organizations from over 200 countries. In total, the platform has helped solidify 18,000 ideas that are directed at doing good.
Exponential, Inc.
Founded by French-American CEO and entrepreneur Dom Einhorn, Exponential, Inc. (XPO2) is a revolutionary crowdfunding platform. With its direct and cashless contribution options, XPO2 helps support small- to medium-sized nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) personally chosen by the CEO.
Considering the limited sources and funds of such NGOs, XPO2’s free-to-use platform will be helpful for their endeavors, providing them access to a wider audience and more contributors. It has already helped the likes of U.S.-based Bully Rehab Awareness Program and the Morani Preserve and Research Center Laikipia in Africa.
XPO2’s cashless contributions utilizes a specialized browser extension that’s free to use. By installing this browser extension, users can contribute to an NGO of their choice by shopping through retailers that XPO2 has partnered with. These retailers include big brands like Kohl’s, Walgreens and HSN.
XPO2 is extending its efforts with a recently launched rewards-based crowdfunding campaign set on raising $500,000 for social good. It offers both materialistic and non-materialistic rewards for contributors. With regards to non-materialistic rewards, XPO2 is banking on “net social impact” which is the amount of good that a dollar can do. The company promises that all of the contributed funds will go directly to the chosen NGOs.
Causes
Causes is both a crowdfunding platform and a social network for nonprofits that seek to make the world a better place. The platform has a user-base of approximately 186 million from 156 countries. Causes follow a similar approach to Kickstarter when it comes to promoting a campaign. Organizations can create a page that provides all of the details that donors need to know. It can have links, images and videos related to the cause.
Causes can also be integrated with major social media sites like Facebook and Twitter so organizations can reach out to more donors. The platform is also best used with a separate app called Brigade. This allows organizations or individuals to establish a network of friends and groups that support a certain issue or cause.
CrowdRise
When it comes to causes that are in need of cash fast, CrowdRise is their best bet at succeeding. The crowdfunding platform allows organizations to use the funds they have raised without any limits, thresholds or time restraints. It’s ideal for causes like emergency operations and relief goods drives for those affected by major calamities. When it comes to the actual funding process, donors can opt to shoulder all of the resulting fees when making a pledge so that the project gets more money.
It comes with standard crowdfunding features such as mobile and desktop compatibility, as well as social media integration.
Crowdfunding platforms helped revolutionize the startup industry at the turn of the decade. Now that the technology has made its way toward supporting social causes, it will be a lot easier for people to partake in the mission to make the world a better place.

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