Crowdfunding - An Easier Way to Support the Arts

You open an email to find yet another plea to give money to Company ABC and help "Save the Music" or "Ensure XYZ, Inc's season happens."  Yet there is nothing to tell you how your money will actually help do just that.  Enter an innovative idea that has come about thanks to the world wide web -- Crowdfunding.

Wikipedia defines crowdfunding as:

an approach to raising the capital required for a new project or enterprise by appealing to large numbers of ordinary people for small donations. While such an approach has long precedents in the sphere of charity, it is receiving renewed attention from entrepreneurs such as independent film makers, now that social media and online communities make it possible to reach out to a group of potentially interested supporters at very low cost.

"How does this change things?" you may ask, "I am still being asked for money."  Yes, you are.  The difference is this:

• A crowd funding site lists a wide variety of projects to fund.  You can browse projects based on interest, location, or anything else.  You can fund a project to develop new works, to produce traditional crowd-pleasers or revive lesser-known pieces that should be done more often.
• You are positioned to better evaluate the organizations you fund by viewing their online proposals.  The best proposals will contain all of the pertinent information for producing the project and the gifts provided in exchange for the funds your provide.
• You must receive something in return for the funds you are providing.  The organization you are funding must give you something in return for your contribution, whether it is a special thank you email, a pen, magnet or tickets to a production.  
• You are able to spread your funding interests to a wide range of organizations and help more projects come to fruition.

Opera Manhattan has crowd funding sites for several upcoming projects.  They include:


Hansel and Gretel
Women on the Verge
The Magical Opera Trunk (watch for an updated link)