Volume 6
While browsing the World Wide Web, I came across www.indiegogo.com, an online site, set up
to give individuals from all over the world, the opportunity to set up their
own platform, in order to raise money for various projects, events and causes.
Up until today, I was completely unaware that a site such as this one existed;
therefore, I was very intrigued by the concept of the site, the international
audience that it reached, as well as, the generosity of those that donated.
As I browsed through all the different categories, I noticed
that while all of them had a decent amount of money donated the majority of the
large donations were for causes that dealt with health. For example, Michelle Combs Fundraiser the supports a
wife and mother of two, as she enters into stage four of breast cancer. With a
goal of $25,000 for alternative cancer treatments, the campaign as already
earned over $13,000 with 105 more days to go! Other example was shown through
the Go Alex! Fundraiser , which has
already raised nearly $14,000 for the family of Alex, a 38 year-old husband and
father of two who is currently battling esophageal cancer. Surpassing their
goal of $10,000, Go Alex! Fundraiser
and the Michelle Combs Fundraiser are
prime examples of the generosity and compassion that overflows in our world.
While the campaigns on health required no perks to donate,
outside of the indescribable joy you’d feel afterwards, some campaigns actually
had what they considered “benefits” to your contribution. The Ethical Fashion
Missionary, for example, was geared to fund the tuition and personal expenses
of an inspired fashion student as she prepared to travel to the University of
Ideas, in Biella, Italy. In order to make you feel like your contribution would
be put to good use, if you donated a certain amount of money, you were
“awarded” prizes, ranging from customized postcards, to free babysitting and
business consultations. A great form of customer appreciation; this form of
fundraising is a win-win with the idea of the cause being fulfilled and the
giver being honored.
The interesting thing about the site is that with a valid
email account, anymore can set up a campaign and begin to earn money for their
cause. With no cause or campaign too big or too small, it’s amazing to see what
causes people are truly passionate about and how many other people in the world
share in their passion.
