Giving
Crowdfunding
It Takes a Pack
Together, Huskies can turn bold ideas into meaningful impact—creating opportunities, inspiring innovation and moving NIU forward.
Fuel What Moves You
When you support a crowdfunding project at NIU, you know exactly where your dollars are going, who they’ll benefit and what they’ll accomplish. Every gift of every size adds up to help our crowdfunding project teams reach their goals. When your support helps them meet their milestones, we all celebrate together.
Questions?
Have more questions about Crowdfunding? Email ccarter1@niu.edu today.
NIU Crowdfunding FAQ
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NIU Impact is the NIU Foundation’s crowdfunding platform for approved university projects and initiatives. Gifts made through the platform are processed as charitable contributions to the NIU Foundation and are tax-deductible under the Foundation’s 501(c)(3)
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Projects must support NIU programs, students, colleges, departments, or units, and all funds must be used under NIU supervision. Campaign goals must fall between $1,500 and $15,000, with most projects raising between $2,500 and $8,000.
Projects that raise money to pass funds along to another nonprofit or outside organization are not
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Yes. Student-led projects are eligible, but they must have a faculty or staff sponsor.
The sponsor serves as the university liaison for the project and helps oversee how funds are used and stewarded.
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Each campaign must have a project leader, at least one additional team member, and a minimum of five volunteer ambassadors. Larger teams are encouraged because broader outreach can improve fundraising results.
All campaign team members must complete crowdfunding training before launch.
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The project leader is the main point of contact between the campaign team and the NIU Foundation. This person oversees progress, submits required materials, and makes sure all campaign responsibilities are completed.
Responsibilities may include writing updates, creating a campaign video, and coordinating thank-you messages. These tasks can be shared, but the project leader remains responsible for keeping the campaign on track.
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For student-led campaigns, the project sponsor must be a NIU faculty or staff member. This person helps guide the campaign, provides fund information, and supports the project’s long-term stewardship planning.
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Project ambassadors help spread the word and encourage giving through their personal networks. They play a major role in building momentum during the campaign.
Each ambassador must complete communications training, identify at least 20 people to contact, and send at least five emails during the campaign. Ambassadors are also encouraged to share the project on social media once or twice per week while the campaign is live.
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Each project must be approved by the college dean and the ranking development officer for the relevant college or unit before launch.
Not sure who that is for your area? Contact northernfund@niu.edu.
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Projects must meet all NIU Impact eligibility criteria to use the platform. If a project does not meet those requirements, it is not eligible to launch.
Ambassador Toolkit
Ambassadors are the key to every successful crowdfunding campaign. As an ambassador, you are responsible for identifying at least 20 people in your personal network to contact via email. Think of friends, family, co-workers or other students who might be interested in contributing to your campaign. In this role, you are required to send at least five emails to your contact list. These emails are spread out during the course of the month-long campaign.
The emails include:
- Launch announcement: Project appeal
- Early campaign update and request for support
- Mid-campaign update and request for support
- Final campaign update and request for support
- Campaign summary and thank you
As an ambassador, you might be called upon to support the project lead with other aspects of the campaign. You can write campaign updates, appear in a campaign video, or send thank you notes.
Here are some helpful tools to keep your project team on task and ensure success.
Email templates
There are lots of ways to spread the word about your crowdfunding project. We know that personal email outreach is by far the best way to reach people. Sharing your project link in an email offers them a convenient way to give to your campaign. Use these email templates for your outreach. Make them as personal as possible wherever you can.
Emails to your personal contacts
Emails to campaign donors
Tracking your progress
Gifts and dollars raised are published on your project’s webpage in real time. Your project leader will have access to donor reports from the crowdfunding platform administrator dashboard.
Individual team members can sign up through the platform to be an ambassador. Each ambassador is given a unique link to share with their personal network. With this link you can track how much money you have personally raised from your efforts.
Explore Stories of Crowdfunding Impact
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Building a Legacy of Opportunity: Kris and Becky Cassie Give Back to NIU
Tony Scott
Kris, ’01, M.S.Ed ’06, and Becky, ’00, established scholarship for teaching, science, music or math students
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The Dees, ’85: Fueling Student Success Through the Huskie Promise
Lia Kizilbash Gillet
The Dees found transformational experiences at NIU; now they’re helping today’s Huskies do the same
More Ways to Give
Choose the way of giving that fits you best — a gift today, a recurring commitment, a gift through your estate, or a match from your employer.