5 Things to Crowdfund

Just because it’s the middle of summer, doesn’t mean you get a vacation from helping your neighbors with their projects. Take a gander at 5 Things you can do in the crowdfunding spirit this July.

July 15, 2014; 8:18 AM • by Sam Davies

1. Donate to a political campaign

Using small dollar contributions to help elect a Congressional candidate is the purest form of American crowdfunding. I live in the VA-7 where we have three candidates on the ballot: Dave Brat, James Carr, and Jim Trammel. You can find out who’s on your ballot at the State Board of Elections webpage, where there will be a link to the candidate’s website. Pick your favorite and contribute $10, $25, or $50 to his or her campaign. While you’re at it, make a donation to the Mayday Super PAC. It promises to be the Super PAC to end Super PACs and help make all elections funded by small dollar donations from regular people.

• Goal: A more effective United States Congress
• Campaign ends: November 4th
• Best reward: Speaking with your dollars

2. Return of the Curls

Keenya Kelly has embraced her naturally curly hair and is helping to “educate African American regarding the effects of using chemicals found in relaxers.” This past weekend, she helped host a National Hair Expo in Richmond. She is seeking a loan for marketing costs as she takes the Expo to Greensboro, NC in August.

• Goal: $1,000
• Campaign ends: mid-August
• Best reward: As with all Kiva loans, you’ll likely get your money back.

3. CNC Router for HackRVA

HackRVA is a non-profit makerspace in Richmond. This collective of people who like building and tinkering is looking to raise $1,200 to buy a CNC Router, which is a big robotic cutting thingamajig.

• Goal: $1,200
• Campaign ends: July 21st
• Best reward: For only $100, you will be trained on how to use this robotic system in a way that minimizes the chance of it rising up against you.

4. The Farm Table

The Farm Table, Virginia’s “largest farm co-op” is raising funds to help expand their efforts into the Northern Virginia market. For those of you not familiar with The Farm Table, it helps connect humans with farms that grow food for humans. For those of you not familiar with Northern Virginia, it’s where all the money is.

• Goal: $50,000
• Campaign ends: July 30th
• Best reward: $20 gets you a onesie that says “Locally Grown”.

5. First Car

You can make a crowdfunding campaign for anything. For example, 15-year-old Richmonder, Liam McGurl, is asking you to help his “selfish dream” of owning a beautiful car come true. And while Mr. McGurl wants you to know that he is employed at a local ice cream shop, as the campaign started on May 30th, it might have burned down since then.¹ Also, I don’t know whether or not Liam’s legal guardians approve of this venture, so there’s that.

Wait… 15-year-olds can own cars now?

• Goal: $1,500
• Campaign ends: July 25th
• Best reward: Having Liam’s parents/guardians roll their eyes when they hear about this

Photo by: AS220

July 15, 2014 8:18 AM 0