K-State Crowdfunding FAQs

We invite students, alumni, parents, friends, and supporters of Kansas State University to participate in crowdfunding. Explore our active campaigns, find what resonates with you, and contribute to a cause you’re passionate about!

Kansas State University’s academic departments, campus units, and student organizations registered through the Center for Student Involvement are eligible to start a crowdfunding project. Projects should be led by students, faculty, or staff and should benefit K-State. Student organizations must have approval from their advisor.

Projects submitted are reviewed by a group of KSU Foundation staff members. Each project is evaluated for readiness and feedback is provided to applicants.

Successful projects usually have 4 key elements: 

1. They captivate donors’ hearts 

Concentrate on a single initiative or project. This is not intended for broad fundraising efforts for your organization, unit, or department. Share your story in a way that resonates deeply with supporters who share your values and deliver it with genuine enthusiasm.

2. They have a clear, attainable financial goal 

Explain to your donors why this particular amount is essential. Illustrate the positive impact their contributions will have on the Kansas State University community.

3. A campaign leader with a strong commitment 

Dedicate time daily to your project throughout the 30-day campaign. Develop a strategy to promote your project’s fundraising efforts. Respond promptly to inquiries from donors or potential supporters. Engage with your audience daily through social media, email, personal interactions, or phone calls.

4. They have an audience and partners for support 

Identify your advocates. Who will amplify your message? Is there a group, department, or professional partner willing to assist? Do you have an existing social media following or a partner who can connect with their network? If you lack an audience, crowdfunding might not be the best approach for you.

A typical crowdfunding campaign requires about 10 weeks of involvement. After project approval, you have 3-4 weeks to provide us with the materials for your page which include: information about your organization or cause, campaign goal as well as image, and video components. Our team will then use this information to build your custom crowdfunding page. Once your project is live, you will actively solicit donations for about 5 weeks, with the amount of time required varying based on your marketing efforts.

You will need to reach out to your own network of potential donors and promote your project. The K-State Foundation is unable to provide contact details for alumni or donors due to privacy policies.

You might have more potential donors in your network than you think. Consider these questions to help identify them:

• Who in your network (friends/family) would support this cause and support you and your organization?

• Do you have social media platforms or campus marketing tools available to share your cause with friends and family through social channels?

• Who in your organization has a social media platform? Do you have connections with faculty, staff, or professionals who could assist in sharing the word of the campaign on their social media?

• As a student, do you have faculty or staff members who might have additional contacts?

• Are there newsletters or communication channels you can use to promote your project?
• Can other organizations or community groups support your cause?

Crowdfunding campaigns generally last between 3-6 weeks.

Fundraising goals vary based on the needs of each project. Successful campaigns often set goals in the range of $2,000 to $15,000.

Please note: projects with goals over $10,000 will be subject to additional review.

Campaign teams receive all funds raised through their crowdfunding project, regardless of whether the goal is met. The K-State Foundation will work with each team to allocate funds for project-related expenses.