Crowdfunding in the Classroom: Controversial or Simply 21st Century Fundraising?

*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master's Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University


  Does your school participate in fundraising activities to raise money for educational resources or opportunities that fall outside of the budget constraints of your building? If so, it most likely involves students and staff petitioning their friends, family, and community selling any number of items: chocolate bars, baked goods, cooking supplies, cash calendars, etc.

At any time have you shared these endeavours through social media? If so, you have moved your traditional fundraising into the 21st century and one-step closer to the concept of crowdfunding. Traditional fundraising asks donors to support your cause by purchasing some type of item which offers you a percentage of the sales to go towards your cause. For example: 10% of all clothing items sold goes towards the purchase of new gym equipment. Crowdfunding, on the other hand, asks donors to directly support your cause where there is no exchange of goods occurring (this often utilizes online platforms for easy transfer of money).

crowdfunding in the classroom, my class needs
Slide 18: Fundraising Trends. (2016). Uploaded to SlideShare by Yelena Lowenfield. Available online at: https://www.slideshare.net/YelenaLowenfeld/fundraising-trends-easy-ways-to-collect-donations 

To explore this topic further I was asked to examine a CBC article discussing the use of crowdfunding for educational resources in British Columbia through a platform called, My Class Needs. Here are two videos that provide some context regarding what My Class Needs is all about:



    Here is a copy of the slides I put together discussing this topic: 

Crowdfunding Public School Programs Fuel Controversy from MissLwbt

Let me know your thoughts!

What sources of funding do you currently access that fall outside of traditional government funding?

Do you feel that crowdfunding is uniquely different than other fundraising campaigns your school has participated in?

Would you use crowdfunding to fund something in your building? If so, what?

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