Crowdfunding platform supports projects with impact

Soon to celebrate its first birthday, Crowdfunding at Manchester is a platform to help students and staff at the University fundraise for projects they care about.

While crowdfunding is associated with start-up businesses, this method of bringing together many donations to make things happen is also having an impact in the charity sector. The University launched its own platform in 2016 to help its students and researchers harness the potential of the crowd, and turn ambitions into reality.

So far, ten projects have raised a combined total of over £13,000 in online donations through the platform. The online giving page has also helped to give projects a presence, attracting other gifts and matched funding from alumni donors.

One of the first projects to find success on the platform was run by Madex, a group of medical students who have established annual expeditions to Marolambo, a remote region of Madagascar. The students are investigating the infection rates of a parasitic disease called schistosomiasis within this area, and offering treatment for what can be a potentially fatal infection. Schistosomiasis is one of world’s most neglected tropical diseases, but can be easily treated with the right medication.

The Madex team found the University’s crowdfunding platform to be an invaluable tool in the final stage of their fundraising. They talk about their experience with it in this short film. Madex are currently crowdfunding their next expedition, alongside other amazing student and academic-led initiatives.

See which projects could use your support, or why not start a campaign of your own?