PAWprint Crowdfunding

PAWprint Crowdfunding Program

A crowdfunding program that enables students, faculty and staff to harness the power of crowdfunding on campus. The program prepares student organizations and members of the faculty and staff with the training, tools and support needed to put on a successful fundraising campaign.

Geographic Scope: University of Northern Iowa campus

Focus Areas: Student organizations and faculty/staff projects that identify a specific need with impact on current and future students at UNI

Key Features

• Platform: Powered by GiveCampus platform
• Duration: Campaign runs for 30 days but requires approximately 3 months total commitment (4-6 weeks quiet phase, 30-45 days active phase, post-campaign stewardship)
• Funding Return: 95% of all funds raised are designated directly to the applicant's account, even if goal is not reached; 5% goes to UNI Foundation for processing and filing
• No Additional Fees: There are no additional program costs or fees beyond the 5% processing fee
• Tax-Deductible: Donations are tax-deductible (UNI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit)
• Donor Benefit: 80% of donors who contribute to crowdfunding projects are new donors to the university
• Donor Receipting: UNI Foundation handles all gift receipting and related paperwork

Eligibility

Who Can Launch a Project:

• Any organization on the current list of registered student organizations maintained by the Northern Iowa Student Government (NISG) and the Student Involvement Center
• Faculty and staff members
• Academic departments and institutional requests with Vice President or Dean approval

Project Requirements

• Appropriate Goals: Recommended fundraising goal between $3,000 and $7,500; each project evaluated on case-by-case basis
• Specificity: Inspirational, goal-specific projects have higher success rates than vague or general projects
• Motivation: Requires a highly motivated person or organization that identifies a specific need
• Network: Applicant must have a wide network to leverage support or ability to help identify prospective donors
• Leadership: Multiple leaders brought in to help plan and facilitate the project
• Content: Requires compelling messaging and content (videos, photos, written content)
• Lead Donors: Should identify lead donors and challenge gifts (10-25% of goal amount)
• Outreach Strategy: Requires creation of outreach strategy and calendar

Campaign Timeline

Quiet Phase (4-6 weeks prior to launch):

• Set up weekly meetings with development office
• Build team and delegate duties
• Gather marketing materials (videos, photos, written content, postcard, social media)
• Form contacts and lists for outreach

Active Phase (30-45 days):

• Share fundraising link through social media, email, postcards
• Utilize calendar to stay on track with recurring engagement
• Thank donors and post project updates
• Implement and share stretch goal information if original goal is met

Post Campaign:

• Steward donors who have given and haven't been thanked
• Share final updates with donors and on social media

Contact Information

University of Northern Iowa Foundation

• Address: 204 Commons, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0282
• Phone: 319-273-6078
• Fax: 319-273-3465
• Email: uni.foundation@uni.edu, annual-giving@uni.edu
• Website: foundation.uni.edu

How to Apply

1. Submit Application: Click the "Submit a PAWprint campaign application" button or contact annual-giving@uni.edu with questions
2. Complete Application Form: Fill out the PAWprint Campaign Application with all required information
3. Selection Process: A limited number of applications are accepted each year. If your project is not selected, it will be kept in queue for the next selection process where you can use the prior application, make adjustments, or submit a new one
4. Follow-up: A member of the UNI Annual Giving team will reach out after submission to review your application and discuss next steps

Required Application Materials

• Contact Information:
  • Lead Contact Name and Email
  • Lead Contact Role/Title
  • Secondary Contact (if applicable)
• Project Information:
  • Project Name
  • Fundraising Purpose (clear statement of project need)
  • Fundraising Goal (dollar amount)
  • Explanation of how goal was determined
  • Plan for funds raised above project amount
• Organization Information:
  • Organization/Department Name
  • Type of Request (Academic/Institutional or Student Organization)
  • Vice President or Dean Approval (Yes/No)
  • Student Life Approval (Yes/No)
  • Advisor Name and Email
• Audience and Outreach:
  • Target Audience (Alumni, parents, former parents, specific degree holders, etc.)
  • Affiliated degrees, organizations or groups
  • Connections with potential lead donors ($1,000+ donors) - list names if available
  • Availability of photos for campaign (Yes/No)
  • Availability of videos for campaign (Yes/No)
• Planning and Strategy:
  • Other pending budget requests or fundraising opportunities
  • Description of other planned fundraising opportunities
  • Whether ongoing funds will be needed after crowdfunding
  • Plan to sustain project after crowdfunding (if ongoing funds needed)
  • Timeline for when funds are needed (0-2 months, 3-6 months, 7-12 months)
  • Engagement strategy for potential donors while project is live (social media, emails, events, etc.)
  • Organization/department plan to promote and engage with donors
  • Social media reach description (followers, posts per week, preferred networks)
  • Whether construction or maintenance will be required
  • Upcoming events that could be connected to the project
• Agreement: Confirmation of agreement with PAWprint campaign guidelines (quiet phase, active phase, and post-campaign requirements)

Application Questions/Narrative Elements

Applicants must answer all questions thoughtfully and thoroughly as this helps the committee determine if the project will be selected.

Key Narrative Questions:

• How did you determine the fundraising goal amount?
• How would you use funds raised over and above your project amount?
• Are there certain degrees, organizations or groups affiliated with this project?
• Do you have connections with potential lead donors (names)?
• What other fundraising opportunities do you have planned?
• How do you plan to sustain this project after crowdfunding is complete?
• What will you do to actively engage with potential donors while the project is live?
• How will your organization/department promote and stay actively engaged with donors?
• Describe your social media reach.
• Are there any upcoming events your project could be connected to?