Berklee Crowdfunding
Berklee Crowdfunding is an exciting program that empowers partners to fundraise for specific projects at Berklee. It provides an opportunity for campus partners, including departments, programs, institutes, and student clubs, to take control of their project's success by setting up and promoting time-bound fundraising campaigns through our dedicated crowdfunding website.
How Does Crowdfunding Work?
Crowdfunding is a method of funding a project by raising many small donations from a large number of people, typically through digital channels. At Berklee Crowdfunding, we have created a user-friendly platform(Opens in a new window) where partners can showcase their projects, share their stories, and engage with a broad community of supporters.
Contributing to a Crowdfunding Campaign
Crowdfunding is a powerful way to contribute to a cause you care about. It involves making small donations that, when combined with others, can make a significant impact on a project's success.
How will my gift be used?
When you select a project, rest assured that 100 percent of your gift will go directly toward supporting that project. Each project will have a brief description explaining what the funds will be used for, so you can make an informed choice.
Is there a maximum or minimum donation amount?
Gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps make a difference.
How is my contact information used?
Your contact information is required to process your credit card payment securely. We will use it to thank you for your gift and provide you with a receipt for tax purposes via email. Additionally, we may use your contact information to keep you updated on the causes you have contributed to and inform you about similar fundraising campaigns.
Is my name publicly displayed if I contribute?
You have the option to keep your name anonymous on the campaign page if you prefer. By default, your name will be publicly displayed, but the contribution amount will not be shown.
Are gifts tax deductible?
Yes, your gift is tax deductible! After making a donation, you will receive an email with a gift receipt for tax purposes from the Office of Annual Giving at Berklee.
When will my credit card be charged if I make a contribution?
Your credit card will be charged immediately upon completing your transaction.
What is your refund policy?
As you are making a charitable gift to the Berklee College of Music, a 501(c)(3) organization, please note that donations are non-refundable.
Can I make a gift by mail?
Certainly! If you prefer to make a donation by mail, please ensure that your gift is postmarked by the final date of the campaign you wish to support. Gifts can be mailed to the following address:
Berklee College of Music
Attn: Gifts Processor
1140 Boylston Street, MS-855 IA
Boston, MA 02215
Can I make a gift by phone?
Yes! To make a donation over the phone, please call 617-747-3096. Leave your name and phone number, and a staff member will promptly reach out to assist you.
What if a project goal is not reached?
Regardless of whether a project reaches its goal, all projects will receive 100% of the funds donated. Your contribution will still support the project's mission.
How will I know if a cause reaches its goal?
You can easily monitor the progress of each campaign through our Berklee Crowdfunding website and the specific project pages.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Berklee's annual giving team at annualgiving@berklee.edu
Hosting a Crowdfunding Campaign
If you're a Berklee faculty member, staff, or student club representative looking to launch a crowdfunding campaign, here's what you need to know:
What kinds of projects can be submitted?
Berklee departments, programs, institutes, and officially recognized student clubs are eligible to submit projects for crowdfunding. The funds raised should benefit a team initiative, a College/Conservatory program, or a department. All funds must be deposited into a College or Conservatory budgetary account, and the campaigns must utilize the community-funded platform.
Who can submit a project?
If you're a faculty member, staff, or current student, you are welcome to submit a crowdfunding application on behalf of your department, program, institute, or student club. Students must have their application backed by an officially recognized student organization or a faculty member.
How do I submit a project?
To host a crowdfunding campaign, simply fill out our application form(Opens in a new window). Before applying, we recommend reviewing our crowdfunding overview(Opens in a new window), which provides detailed information on the purpose of crowdfunding, your responsibilities as a partner, and the support we offer.
How are projects selected?
The Annual Giving staff carefully reviews project submissions to ensure they meet Berklee Crowdfunding criteria and align with the college's mission and values. We reserve the right to decline projects based on content and discontinue active campaigns if necessary. Content on project pages must receive approval from our team before launching, and we may make edits to ensure compliance with crowdfunding guidelines.
How are project goals determined?
Project goals, donor goals, and campaign lengths are determined on a case-by-case basis. All donations must be used for the project's stated purpose and will be deposited into the designated College or Conservatory account. Typically, successful crowdfunding campaigns last between two and five weeks and raise between $1,000–$5,000.
Once a project is approved, what is expected of the partner?
As a project partner, you play a vital role in the success of your crowdfunding campaign. Strategize and plan your campaign intentionally by writing compelling content, gathering materials such as photos and videos, creating email lists, and considering external marketing channels. Promote your project within your networks and encourage potential donors to visit the crowdfunding site. We may request a list of potential donors before approval or launch to assess project eligibility. Additionally, we expect project members to send at least five email asks and actively publicize the campaign on social media. Remember to prepare a heartfelt thank-you message for donors and document your project's progress through photos or videos to update your supporters once the project is complete.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, please reach out to Berklee's Annual Giving team at annualgiving@berklee.edu.