Questions about creating a crowdfunding page
Who can create a fundraising page to benefit the University of Nebraska?
Anyone who cares about and wishes to encourage giving to the University of Nebraska, including donors, alumni, staff, students, faculty, patients, athletics fans and others. Before beginning your fundraising effort and starting your online site, your project must be reviewed and approved by the foundation’s director of marketing and annual campaigns.
How do I begin fundraising?
Making an impact is easy, and we are here to help you every step of the way. To get started and to initiate your application, please contact the foundation’s Chris Cooper, director of marketing and annual campaigns, at chris.cooper@nufoundation.org.
What are the page review and approval process?
You will begin by submitting your fundraising concept, goal and basic contact information to the foundation’s crowdfunding administrator. Once we’ve reviewed and approved your concept, we will help you establish your fundraising site.
How do I indicate which cause at the University of Nebraska I want to support?
During the application process, you will be asked to identify the objective for your crowdfunding effort and the cause you want to support. The foundation will then match up the cause with one of its existing funds as part of the approval process.
Can I incorporate a video into my fundraising page?
Yes, you can embed YouTube and Vimeo videos into your fundraising page.
Can I choose a monetary goal for my effort?
Yes, you will establish a goal for dollars raised.
Can I use the crowdfunding site to accept registration payment for my event benefiting the university?
No. At this time the Grow University of Nebraska crowdfunding site cannot process event registrations or accept event registration payments or fees. There are also possible tax implications for receipting these types of funds.
I am under the age of 18; can I still fundraise for the university?
Yes, no matter what age you are, you can make a difference. If you are under the age of 18, you will need to collaborate with a parent or guardian or have a project sponsor work with you who is over 18.
Whom may I contact with questions about crowdfunding for the University of Nebraska?
Please contact the foundation’s Chris Cooper, director of marketing and annual campaigns, at chris.cooper@nufoundation.org.
Questions about donating to a crowdfunding page
Are contributions tax-deductible?
Yes, all philanthropic contributions made on the Grow University of Nebraska crowdfunding platform are considered gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation, which is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 charity. Gifts to the foundation are tax-deductible as prescribed by law based on donors’ tax circumstances.
Do donors receive a receipt for their contribution?
Yes, the foundation will send contributors a receipt shortly after the gift is made.
When are credit cards charged for a gift?
Credit cards are charged immediately upon submitting a gift on the website. The credit card information is not saved.
Are gifts accepted by people outside the United States?
Yes, the foundation and the Grow University of Nebraska crowdfunding website accept gifts made from international locations when the gift is made via credit card. Gifts made by check and payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation are also accepted but will not count toward your online fundraising goal. Only gifts made online count toward your effort’s goal.
Are there fees associated with gifts made through this website?
As with most crowdfunding platforms and companies that provide them, there are some nominal fees involved. The foundation will cover your page setup fees and the credit card processing fees. A small portion of the donations made on the site will help cover the fees charged by the platform vendor.
Where do the gifts go?
Gifts made on this website go to the foundation and are deposited into the existing, designated fund listed on each fundraising page. The university department, area or unit associated with the gift then has access to request the funds and use them as the agreement for the fund designates.
What happens to the personal information collected on the site?
Donor data, such as name, address, email, gift amount and more is stored securely in the foundation’s database, which allows for timely receipting and gift acknowledgment. No credit card information is retained or saved. For more information on this topic, please see the foundation’s privacy policy at nufoundation.org. Classy, the crowdfunding vendor, also has a privacy policy.
Questions about editing and changing your site
Can I change the fundraising goal amount?
Yes, you may change your goal amount, as appropriate, during the timeframe of your fundraising effort by contacting the foundation representative assisting you with your site.
Can I change the photo on my fundraising page?
Yes, you will be able to change the photo on your fundraising site.
Questions about donations to your crowdfunding site
How will I know if someone makes a gift to my effort and site?
When you go to your fundraising site, you will be able to see your list of donors. Please be sure to thank them.
Can people give me checks or cash to contribute to my fundraising effort?
Preferably, your donors should make their gifts on your online site, as doing so will go toward your goal. The foundation will accept gifts made by checks and cash for the university cause you’ve chosen to support, but unfortunately these gifts will not go toward your online crowdfunding goal. Gifts made by check are preferred over cash gifts. Checks must be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation, and the fund name should be enclosed with the check. It is not advisable to send cash in the mail, so these donations should be made at one of the foundation’s three office locations. Checks may be mailed to University of Nebraska Foundation, PO Box 8255, Lincoln NE, 68501-2555.
