Originally published December 27 2014
Indiegogo launches platform to promote crowdfunding for charity
by Jennifer Lilley
(NaturalNews) For people experiencing certain health setbacks who are without the financial means to help their situation, newly-launched Indiegogo Life can help.
Perhaps a write-up about Indiegogo Life in Nonprofit Quarterly explains it best:
In something close to a virtual group hug, Indiegogo just made it easy to crowdfund a personal cause. Whether you want to give a colleague or acquaintance aid during a crisis, reach out to a family member to share in a moment of sorrow or joy, or help ease the burden for a close friend facing medical or financial needs, Indiegogo Life can provide a platform to help.(1)
The fundraising effort need not be strictly medical-related or confined just to humans. As such, categories on the site also include "Education," "Celebrations" and "Animals," where individuals have set up fundraising efforts ranging from a young student who is in need of more funds to attend a "Sustainable Summer" program in the Amazon to a family who needs financial assistance in getting their beloved dog Lucy spinal cord surgery.(2,3)
Indiegogo's launch of their Indiegogo Life, while it stems from initial widespread interest in and use of Indiegogo.com, is different in that it solely focuses on cause-based fundraising, and is also void of service transaction fees. The traditional Indiegogo.com, on the other hand, offers a range of categories where people can pitch in and help; everything from technology to dance are a part of that site. Of the departure that became Indiegogo Life, Danae Ringelmann, Chief Development Officer of Indiegogo, said, "We saw how many people started using the platform to raise money for themselves, a loved one, or even a stranger if they wanted to help. Indiegogo Life is a response to their needs."(4)
What sets Indiegogo Life apart from the pack
Some people familiar with this kind of crowdsourcing activity may think of some popular Kickstarter campaigns. However, what Indiegogo believes will set them apart, and perhaps ahead of competitor Kickstarter, is the fact that Indiegogo embraces what Kickstarter bans -- charitable campaigns.
Furthermore, Kickstarter's rules, unlike Indiegogo Life, also mandate that projects should "create something that can be shared with others." Indiegogo Life also does not require the transaction fees other similar sites and even their own traditional Indiegogo site request. They even take it a step further; for those seeking to raise funds for a nonprofit, they extend a 25% fee discount.(5)
Interested in helping others? Here are a few examples of people in need, where Natural News readers may want to offer assistance. Visit the Indiegogo Life site listed above and search for the individuals below.
From cancer patients to aspiring yoga teachers: how you can help
Medical section/Organizer: Toby VanVranken/Diabetic man in need of gastric procedure
An overweight man who has been a diabetic for over 20 years has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and severe kidney failure. He's has been told that a gastric procedure will help with the majority of his health problems, but his insurance does not offer assistance.(6)
Emergency section/Organizer: Henry Yen/Young girl suffering from asthma in need of trip to treat her problem
The family of a young girl wishes to make a trip to Taiwan, because it's there that people have urged her to "seek out indigenous medicinemen... who might be able to treat the root of the problem and not simply what causes and influences the symptoms."(7)
Celebrations section/Organizer: Grier King/Cancer patient who wants to fulfill a dream
One woman has been told that she's soon to be finishing her last round of chemo. If all goes well, it's her goal to realize a lifelong dream of opening a bakery.(8)
Education section/Organizer: Jessica Daem/Woman who wants to become yoga teacher
Jessica Daem turned to yoga to help her manage her chronic migraines and panic disorders. "I just love people in general," she says on the site, "so when someone tells me about the neuropathy in their feet, the achiness in their joints, the severity of their sciatica, or the depression they are coping with, I want to give them some hope, I want to give them yoga. If you can, please help me do that."(9)
"These life events are oftentimes things that people can't plan for like emergency medical expenses," Ringelmann said. "A lot of these things can be pretty difficult emotionally, but we're hoping Indiegogo Life really comes through for them."(5)
Sources for this article include:
(1) https://nonprofitquarterly.org
(2) https://life.indiegogo.com
(3) https://life.indiegogo.com
(4) http://www.wired.com
(5) http://mashable.com
(6) https://life.indiegogo.com
(7) https://life.indiegogo.com
(8) https://life.indiegogo.com
(9) https://life.indiegogo.com
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