Before we get into why the Kickstarter approach is teed up for success, or how it can be applied to charity fundraising, we need to touch on its main elements in a little more detail.
Time Bound– Kickstarter projects must be finite.
Tangible Outcome– Every project on Kickstarter must produce some sort of tangible result. Potential supporters can see upfront what the intended outcome is, and if they decide to give, they know exactly what their money will be used to achieve. For example, if the project is to build a new park, then the fundraising goal will be determined by the estimated cost of building the park.
Video Appeal– Kickstarter projects all include a video appeal that the projects’ creators use to make the case for support.
Backer Incentives– Supporters of Kickstarter projects are generally given something in return for their financial support.
All or Nothing- For a project to receive the money it raises on Kickstarter; it has to reach the funding goal.
Recent studies have confirmed that tangibility is positively correlated with generosity. The takeaway is that when supporters can connect their giving with specific positive outcomes, they feel like they have made a real impact and they get more satisfaction out of the experience. Keeping these findings in mind, it is easy to see why Kickstarter’s project-based approach is set up for success. Kickstarter projects are inherently tangible.
Each project is required to have a well-defined outcome. When people give to a project, they know exactly where their money is going and what it will be used to accomplish. Kickstarter combines this highly tangible approach with other best practices like time limits to create urgency, incentives for supporters, and engaging content, to create an atmosphere primed for fundraising success.

Like Kickstarter projects, most fundraising campaigns are of limited duration, they have predefined fundraising goals, and they often use incentives to encourage supporter participation . One thing that many fundraising campaigns lack, however, is a tangible and clearly articulated outcome. As the research suggests, this is an area where charities would do well to learn from the Kickstarter approach. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International operates a program that helps transport military pets back to the U. In April they launched a special campaign to raise enough money to bring over thirty animals back to the States.

They needed to raise the money before June 1st when the airlines would shut down all animal travel because of the extreme heat of summer in the Middle East. Any animals left behind would be separated from their soldier companions and would almost surely die. SPCAI succeeded in making the campaign highly tangible for its donors and fundraisers. Pictures and names of the actual animals in need of rescue were included on the campaign landing page.

If you donated or raised money for the campaign, you knew that you would be helping these specific animals, saving them from an untimely death and keeping them united with the soldiers they’d befriended. Of course, it’s not always possible to have such a laser-focused goal. The SPCAI campaign was highly specific because it was part of a special appeal meant to fulfill a clearly defined need. It’s still entirely possible, however, to make even your general fundraising appeals more tangible for supporters.

Fundraisers are told upfront that their money will help fund a water project to provide people in the developing world with clean water. Even better, fundraisers are assured that after they finish fundraising, they will receive a packet showing exactly where the money they raised has gone. The digital report fundraisers receive is filled with specifics about the water project they helped fund. It’s the ultimate proof of impact.

They’ll feel empowered and you’ll raise more money. It’s the ultimate win-win. The Critical Link Between Tangibility and Generosity.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath