University advancement using crowdfunding to generate financial support
Social media has altered fundraising, and the UNC Charlotte Division of University Advancement is assisting members of the Niner Nation to take advantage of the trend to solicit small gifts for various campus ventures.
Crowdfund UNC Charlotte provides an online platform to students, faculty and staff to generate funding for ideas significant to them.
“Crowdfunding is an opportunity for students to reach out through a platform hosted by the University, to try to gain support for the initiatives they see important while they’re here,” said Shayna Long, assistant director of annual giving. She manages digital fundraising campaigns for the University Advancement Division.
“Often larger fundraising initiatives are led by the University or by our development team,” Long stated. “Crowdfund UNC Charlotte is an opportunity for the students to get out in front of people, and it’s a way for the University to help them seek financial support for projects that represent their passions.”
Current Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects include the Witherspoon Greek Alumni Scholarship, Sheida Hosseinzadeh’s Memorial Scholarship, Niner Student Pantry and Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band. Projects are submitted by students, faculty and staff of the University.
Niner Student Pantry
Established in fall 2014, the Niner Student Pantry provides UNC Charlotte students who have need with healthy, culturally appropriate emergency food. Sean Langley, food pantry program co-founder and assistant director of off-campus and volunteer outreach, has worked to expand Niner Student Pantry from one room in the Colvard Building to a house, located at 1224 John Kirk Drive.
According to Long, the pantry needs appliances so they can conduct cooking demos. In addition, the appliances would enable pantry volunteers to service more clients and better store meat, fruits and vegetables.
Memorial Scholarship
UNC Charlotte alumna Sheida Hosseinzadeh died accidentally while camping with her friends in Avery County. Hosseinzadeh’s family and friends hope to turn this tragedy into an opportunity to preserve her memory by helping young students succeed. Donations are coming in from as far away as Iran. At press time, 237 donors have contributed $14,325.
Alumni Scholarship
This scholarship was fully endowed in October 2015; after one year, the scholarship will generate income for an annual award. The new goal of this project is to raise an additional $10,000 to support the 2016 awarding of the Loy H. Witherspoon Greek Alumni Scholarship.
Pride of Niner Nation
The Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band took the field earlier this fall. The band is in need of several complete uniforms in varying sizes and new drums — the original instruments were purchased gently used.
“We thought this would be an opportunity to let people know there is still a big need. Gene Johnson generously provided funding to help establish the Pride of Niner Nation, but there’s still a lot of need,” commented Long.
Crowdfund UNC Charlotte is an opportunity to create community through harnessing the power of social media, Long stated. She added the small gifts that are contributed will help University faculty, staff and students realize rewarding results for projects that fuel their passions.
The Division of University Advancement is soliciting new projects for Crowdfund UNC Charlotte.
Faculty, staff and student teams can submit project applications between Monday, Nov. 2, and Friday, Nov. 20. Applications will be reviewed by a Crowdfund UNC Charlotte panel of student leaders along with staff members from the University Advancement and Student Affairs divisions.
Following a review, the panel will approve submissions based on project essentials: team commitment, project appeal and goal achievement potential. Fundraising goals are considered on a case-to-case basis with a recommended goal of between $2,500 and $8,000. Project funds, regardless of the goal being met, will be deposited in UNC Charlotte Foundation accounts.
The Division of University Advancement plans to launch 30-day projects every spring and fall semester to encourage campus involvement in philanthropic endeavors.