Below is a list of crowdfunding platforms that have created special COVID-19 relief initiatives for US based campaigns. We will be updating to include initiatives as they’re established (last updated 5-18-23).
If you want help determining if your business can utilize crowdfunding at this time or what type of crowdfunding would be the right fit, our Crowdfunding Roadmap Package can help.
Donation
(personal causes, nonprofits, social enterprises, civic organizations)
CauseVox – New Basic Plan Unlimited is now 100% free. Platform fee waived for all plans. Removed limits/caps on their Basic Plan and is offering no annual or monthly fee. Providing free access to the platform’s Donor Retention and Engagement Course and free Navigating the Coronavirus Webinar. https://www.causevox.com/blog/coronavirus-relief-nonprofits/
CauseMatch – Will make its crowdfunding services available free of charge for the first 100 organizations that qualify. Application form included on the linked page. https://www.causematch.com/en/fighting-corona-together/
Community Funded – Through June 30th, organizations can create a crowdfunding site, a “Giving Day” platform, a head-to-head challenge, or an evergreen giving page free of charge. https://www.communityfunded.com/free-giving-platform/
DonorsChoose – Evaluating and compiling ways to help classrooms, teachers and students across the country during the pandemic. https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/360044637333-Coronavirus-COVID-19-updates-from-DonorsChoose
GoFundMe – Launched a “Small Business Relief Initiative” in partnership with Intuit, Yelp, GoDaddy & Bill.com. Small businesses can start a fundraiser for their entity. If the campaign reaches $500, it may be eligible for a $500 matching grant from the Small Business Relief Fund. https://www.gofundme.com/c/small-business-relief-initiative-and-fund-faqs
HIPGive – HIPGive & Justice for Migrant Women have partnered to launch the Farmworkers’ COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund to protect essential farmers, workers & their families. https://hipgive.org/project/farmworkers-covid-19-pandemic-relief-fund/
ioby – Waiving their fiscal sponsorship and platform fee, and matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to $8,000 for COVID-19 response projects. https://ioby.org/covid-19
Patronicity – Waiving all fees and allowing rolling funds distribution before the campaign ends for non-matched crowdfunding campaigns that launch prior to May 15th. Also, working 1-on-1 with customers to craft their campaign. https://www.patronicity.com/small-biz#!/
Rewards
(idea stage & start-up businesses, established businesses, nonprofits, social enterprises)
iFundWomen – The IFW Covid-19 Relief Fund is providing micro-grants to women-owned businesses impacted by the crisis. Grants are distributed on a rolling basis. https://ifundwomen.com/covid-19
IFW has also compiled a list of organizations facilitating small business grants. https://ifundwomen.com/grants
Patreon – Launched “What the Fund”, a fund for creators affected by COVID-19. (Round One closed April 14th.)
https://blog.patreon.com/patreon-response-to-covid-19
Seed&Spark – Creating a new platform to take film festivals online with the support of independent filmmakers including Mark Duplass, Janina Gavankar, Emily V. Gordon, Patton Oswalt, Lena Waithe and Olivia Wilde. See their blog for more details. http://seedandspark.com/blog
Lending
(revenue-generating businesses with the ability to cover loan payments)
Kiva – Expanded eligibility and increased the maximum for their 0% loans from $10,000 to $15,000 for businesses in the US. New borrowers can access a grace period of up to 6 months or greater. https://www.kiva.org/blog/support-local-businesses-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Investment
(start-ups, established businesses, nonprofits, social enterprises, real estate, local communities)
Fundopolis – Reduced securities, platform and escrow fees. Offerings will be interest free and payment free up to a year. https://about.fundopolis.com/covid19offering/
Honeycomb Credit – 45-day payment free periods, 6-month interest-only periods, reduced posting, success, and investor fees, and streamlined due diligence for their crowdfunded loans. https://www.honeycombcredit.com/relief
Mainvest – Existing brick and mortar businesses can receive a $2,000, 0% interest, 120-day loan upon launching a revenue share capital raise. Businesses can also list themselves as “Still Open” on the platform to show they are offering delivery or takeout during the shutdown. https://mainvest.com/main-street-initiative
NextSeed – Launched “NextSeed Community Bridge Note” a revenue-sharing note to facilitate flexible, lower cost, lower fee financing for small businesses seeking working capital to weather the crisis. https://www.nextseed.com/insights/community-bridge-notes
WeFunder – Designed a special Disaster Loan. The terms and payments of this revenue share agreement are based on revenues and can be deferred until 2021. https://wefunder.com/loans
