Columbia Secondary School students promote their crowdfunding project, Chicken Coops for the Egg-gineer’s Soul, to build sustainable, solar-heated chicken coops in their community garden this winter.

By Allen Rosso, Executive Director of Columbia Causes

Buoys measuring sea-level rises. Chicken coops powered by solar energy. Business suits for students on interviews. Who knew you could fund such projects through Columbia?

More than ever, we’re finding new ways to fund new initiatives. Crowdfunding attracts donors to bring this promise to life. On Giving Day 2016, fifteen schools and units launched 32 crowdfunding projects from offering healthcare and legal advice to funding scholarships. Donors responded with 922 gifts worth more than $144,000, and 179 donors made their first ever gift to Columbia, including through peer-to-peer opportunities.

The Columbia Crowdfunding Task Force comprises 20 colleagues across the University who work with schools and units, Annual Fund Programs, Gift Systems, Web Initiatives, and CAA to build our new platform: [email protected].

We look forward to additional crowdfunding campaigns and increasing our social media presence. Project ideas? Contact [email protected].