University of Montana Foundation

University of Montana Foundation Crowdfunding Guidelines

• What is UM Foundation Crowdfunding?

  UM Foundation Crowdfunding is an online fundraising platform managed by the University of Montana Foundation and powered by GiveCampus. Crowdfunding is a method of raising money through the collective efforts of many individual donors, typically online, to fund a project or cause.
  
  UM Foundation Crowdfunding empowers all UM supporters — on campus, in our community and around the nation — to make charitable contributions of any size to help fuel projects created by students, faculty and staff that benefit and enhance programs managed by UM.

• Who can apply to lead a UM Foundation Crowdfunding campaign?

  University of Montana students, faculty and staff may apply to become a project lead and raise money for a range of projects to benefit academic departments, campus programs, student groups and other official programs on behalf of UM.

• What are the project lead's responsibilities?

  The project lead is the person responsible for submitting the application, supporting the creation of campaign website content, and promoting it to reach its goals. The project lead also enables others on their team to act as Advocates. Project leaders must commit to the following:

  • Define the project’s fundraising goals
  • Provide a case for support (i.e., explain why you are fundraising), photographs and content for the website and an optional video (no longer than 60 seconds)
  • Arrange promotion of projects using college, school, department and program social media and other outreach channels, as well as personal networks
  • Recruit team members and Advocates
  • Send a personal thank you note or email to individual donors at the completion of the campaign
• How do we set fundraising goals?

  Typical UM Foundation crowdfunding projects can raise up to $5,000. Setting realistic goals helps keep donors motivated and gives them an obtainable target. Donors are more likely to support a campaign that seems likely to reach its goal.

  Carefully consider how you'll arrive at your goal and whether your data and past performance suggest your target is achievable. And don’t be afraid of "conservative" goals: We consistently see that donors are willing and excited to continue giving to campaigns that have already reached their goals. (Conversely, donors are hesitant to give to a campaign that does not appear to have the momentum needed to reach its goal.)

  Your goal should consider the following: 

  • the financial needs of your project 
  • the size of your potential donor pool  
  • the network of your Crowdfunding team and project   
  • the amount of personal effort required by your project team to manage the project 

  It is best to set modest, attainable and realistic goals — and surpass them. Donors will be inspired to support a project if it shows success and momentum.   

• How is our Crowdfunding campaign promoted?

  Crowdfunding relies on networking, and it's best to bring your own "crowd." If your project is selected and launched on the UM Foundation Crowdfunding platform, you should be prepared to use social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to promote your campaign and the impact your project will make. This is not limited to official college, school, department, and program social media — we strongly encourage team members and Advocates to leverage personal networks as well.
  
  Other methods of engagement may involve personal outreach, including individual emails, texts and phone calls. If you or your team do not have a pre-existing audience, then other fundraising strategies may be more appropriate.

  Please contact the UM Foundation Annual Giving department at giving@supportum.org for more information.

• How do I recruit my team and Advocates?

  Before preparing and submitting your application, you will need written permission from your college, school, department, or program leadership to proceed. If your project is chosen for this round of crowdfunding, proof of permission (email is sufficient) will be required prior to the setup of your website.
  
  In addition to a designated project team lead, project teams may elect additional people in leadership or Advocate roles. Project Advocates are volunteers committed to fundraising on behalf of the project. You may ask your Advocates to post on social media, send emails to their contact list, and even make phone calls or send texts during the campaign. These communications may include pre-launch announcements, campaign updates and sending thank yous to donors.

  Advocates may also support the project leader with other aspects of the campaign; for example, by appearing in a campaign video. The larger the project goal, the larger the project team should be.

• Other notes about UM Foundation Crowdfunding
  • While you are responsible for providing content, UM Foundation staff will build and manage the website. All changes and updates must be made with UM Foundation permission.
  • The UM Foundation reserves the right to decline any project that is not in alignment with the University’s funding priorities.
  • Tangible items of fulfillment (material items in exchange for a donation) are not allowed for Crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Use of Crowdfunding to raise funds at the University of Montana is subject to all University of Montana and University of Montana Foundation rules, policies and compliance regulations, as well as state and federal law.
• Apply

  From August 25-September 5, 2025, you may complete and submit the application form, and a UM Foundation staff member will be in touch based on the timeline above. Please note that if your project is selected, you will need to obtain approval from the highest-level official for your unit, department or program, in writing (email is sufficient), to proceed.

  All successful applicants should be prepared to attend or view a recording of an informational session with the UM Foundation's Annual Giving department to review the process and to receive vital information for a successful project.