Our Crowdfunding Groups
Welcome to Wingspan, the official crowdfunding platform for Nazareth University.
Wingspan is a community fundraising tool that helps students, faculty and staff raise money to support projects that advance the Nazareth mission. The platform, similar to crowdfunding sites like KickStarter or GoFundMe, allows Naz changemakers to tell their story and conveniently accept contributions online.
Please review the frequently asked questions below for more detailed information on what is required to apply for and participate in Naz Crowdfunding. This process can take several weeks! So to help you better plan, we've prepared a few tips. Naz Crowdfunding administrators reserve the right to revise these guidelines at any time.
Frequently asked Questions:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Wingspan Crowdfunding? | Wingspan: Crowdfunding for Nazareth University is a multi-week online fundraising campaign where project leaders passionately tell their story in hopes that their own personal networks, alumni and friends will make a gift to support their project. |
| Who can apply and how are applications evaluated? | Projects featured on Wingspan must be initiatives that directly enhance the Nazareth University experience for our students, faculty and/or staff. Applications will be reviewed by Nazareth crowdfunding admins to make sure the project supports the University’s mission, has the potential to be a success and that crowdfunding is the best option to fund the project. |
| Why use Wingspan Crowdfunding vs. other fundraising platforms? | Nazareth teams, clubs, and organizations are required to use the Wingspan Crowdfunding platform or the Nazareth secure online giving form (giving.naz.edu) to raise funds for their teams, programs, or projects. Use of external crowdfunding platforms is prohibited. This decision was made to decrease excessive fees by outside platforms and to abide by 501(c)3 regulations for charitable donations to Nazareth University. |
| Does crowdfunding require much effort? | Yes! Crowdfunding may seem like a quick and easy way to raise large sums of money, but successful projects require a great deal of time. You will need to create creative content and be comfortable with actively soliciting donations throughout the duration of the campaign. |
| How do we receive the funds raised? | Your project will get to keep 100% of the net proceeds (minus processing fees) from your Crowdfunding campaign. Proceeds will be deposited into the account associated with your project after the campaign's conclusion. *If you don't have a restricted account, please reach out to Perry Lenz at plenz5@naz.edu |
| How does the University assist with the process? | Someone from the Nazareth Crowdfunding Administrator team will work with you throughout the campaign to help make it a success. This includes: Providing you with a detailed crowdfunding guide that includes step-by-step instructions on how to launch your campaign, best practices to reach your goal and ideas on how to properly thank your donors. Placing the content you create on your crowdfunding page for you. Scheduling one-on-one check-in meetings, if needed. |
| What do we need to run a successful campaign? | A passionate team. Your team leaders and project advocates will need to be committed to creating your campaign content/updates and to actively solicit donations throughout the entire campaign. Launching your crowdfunding page is only the beginning of the journey. A large crowd of supporters. Your team must be willing to personally reach out to family, friends, colleagues, alumni, etc. for support. It is recommended that each project advocate has at least 100-200 relevant personal contacts to solicit in person or via e-mail or text message. Regularly posting on your social media channels (both personal and those connected to your area of campus) is a must. A project that helps the Nazareth community. A project that connects with the Mission of Nazareth University and is supported by project advocates who are 100 percent invested in the cause are essential for a successful campaign. |
If crowdfunding sounds like a solution to your fundraising needs, please apply today.
Questions? Contact give@naz.edu
Wingspan Crowdfunding Guidelines
Nazareth University is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution. Nazareth is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. All Wingspan Crowdfunding projects must comply with the institution’s mission. Projects cannot violate any laws or Nazareth policies.
Nazareth reserves the right to decline any project based on content or discontinue an active campaign at any time due to changes in the group’s eligibility status.
Who manages Wingspan Crowdfunding?
Wingspan Crowdfunding falls under the direction of the Nazareth Annual Fund with oversight from Nazareth University administration, comprising the Nazareth Crowdfunding Administrators. The administrators will determine eligibility and approval of projects.
Naz Crowdfunding is currently managed via the ScaleFunder platform at impact.naz.edu
The Naz Crowdfunding Administrators may discontinue an active fundraiser at any time because of a project’s failure to comply with the set guidelines.
Absolutely. Your payment is securely processed by PayPal. The information collected is only used by Nazareth University, and it will not be sold or shared with any third-party organizations. Your credit card information will not be stored.
Nazareth University is an exempt organization, as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and you will receive an acknowledgment that will serve as a receipt.
Yes. If you prefer not to have your name listed as a donor, simply opt to not display your donor name upon checkout.
We are happy to help. Please contact Nazareth University Advancement at dev@naz.edu or 585-389-2413
