This guide will help “Project Leaders” in listing their projects and collecting donations. 

I want to list a project. What do I do?
As the group leader, you must register before you can create a “Project Listing.” Setting up an account is fast and easy and you will find all the tools you need on the listing page. In order to receive the donation at the conclusion of the “Project Listing” you can set up a Paypal account at www.paypal.com so that the Donation total can be transferred to your account or the” Project Leader” can also request that Funding the Arts mail a check to the address listed on the “Project Listing” page. 

What basic information do I need to start a “Project Listing”?
Write a description of your project and decide what is the total amount of money that you need to complete your project. If you have any photos of what you need the funding for or a picture depicting what you do, you can download them to make your listing exciting and colorful.

On the listing page, you will be asked information about you and business information. You can choose a category and a sub-category that you would like your project listed under and when you want the “Project Listing” to start and end. Projects are more successful if they are left on the site for donations at least 3 weeks. The “Project Listing” is submitted to Funding the Arts for approval. The “Project Leader will receive an email that the project has been approved or if any additional information is required.

What do I do after my project is listed?
Send the project link to family, friends and arts supporters. Look toward your local community for support and local news media to promote your listing. Everyone knows at least 25 people that you can network your listing to for funding and if those 25 tell another 25, your network of supporters could be 625 in a very short amount of time.  Once your project is listed you will have a clear and concise “Project Listing” that will be easy to promote. There also can be unknown individuals who will want to donate to your project.

What can I do to make sure that my Project succeeds?

Set your goals for the amount of funding that you need. Send your link to your supporters more then once with an email expressing your need for funding. Write a “Project Description” that accurately describes your project and what your project will achieve once it receives funding. Use pictures, if possible to help give your project a human story. If you do not have any pictures, the Webmaster will try to find a picture that will make your project listing interesting.

Will I know who donates to my project?
Donors have the option of donating anonymously or they can reveal themselves. Donors can also write comments or ask a question to the “Project Leader “ if an email address is listed.

What do Donors get in return for funding Projects?
If the listing is from a non-profit organization, Donors can use their donation as a tax donation. “Project Leaders” can also list their donors in promotional material, if the donors consent. If the project is a film, music video, song or other project in need of producers, the “Project Leader” can offer to list the donor as a producer. Follow up is done after the project is completed so that every donor will know that the project is successfully completed. Be creative in your “Project Listing” so that donors will want to fund your project. A Project Leader can also send the donor a gift for donating to their listing. 

As a “Project Leader,” what should I do once the listing is posted?
Promote, Promote, Promote!

What fees are associated with Fundingthearts.org?
Projects are free for a first time "Project Listing.” After a project is completed, a fundraising fee of 7% is taken from the total donation amount. The “Project Leader” can have the donation transferred to their paypal account or a check can be mailed for a fee of $10 to cover additional mailing and bookkeeping expenses.

What happens after I submit my Project for funding?
All projects are reviewed before they listed. All projects are listed at the sole discretion of Funding the Arts.