Image courtesy of ddpavumba / freedigitalphotos.net

“Crowdfunding” means financing a project with small amounts of capital obtained from a large number of individuals, usually via the Internet.  Since there is more than one way to obtain capital from the “crowd,” there is more than one type of crowdfunding.  In fact, there are at least four, very different, types of crowdfunding: (1) rewards-based crowdfunding; (2) donation-based crowdfunding; (3) debt crowdfunding; and (4) equity crowdfunding. To learn more about the various types of crowdfunding, please see the article, “Crowdfunding for Beginners” which is posted on this blog.

The following links will take you to websites that provide information about, and/or platforms for, crowdfunding:

CROWDFUNDING ORGANIZATIONS

National Crowdfunding Association – The mission of this group is to support, educate and protect the American crowdfunding market.

REWARDS-BASED CROWDFUNDING SITES:

Kickstarter – Funding platform for creative projects, including music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

Indiegogo – Global funding platform for all types of campaigns.

DONATION-BASED CROWDFUNDING SITES:

Crowdrise – A donation-based crowdfunding site that blends crowdfunding, social networking and contests.

Go Fund Me – A donation-based crowdfunding site that focuses on personal fundraising.

DEBT CROWDFUNDING (A/K/A PEER-TO-PEER LENDING) SITES:

Prosper – Debt crowdfunding site that connects lenders and borrowers.

Lending Club – Debt crowdfunding site that connects lenders and borrowers.