If there was any doubt that crowdfunding campaigns can be equally as successful for social entrepreneurs as commercial businesses, a new Australian record proves the naysayers wrong.
While six-figure fundraising totals are usually reserved for technology, gaming, film or design projects, Edgar’s Mission, a hospice dedicated to rescued farm animals in country Victoria, has this week raised over $162,400 via crowdfunding platform Chuffed.org.
Bolstered by its viral social media campaign, Edgar’s Mission will now have the funds to build its new home in Lancefield, Victoria, 70km north of Melbourne, after it had outgrown its current space in the foothills of the Great Dividing Ranges.
The original $50,000 target was hit and exceeded in three days after the not-for-profit posted a video of Frostie the Snow Goat, (an injured kid learning to walk with a wheelchair apparatus) went viral. Indeed the video was posted on international sites including Huffington Post and Modern Farmer, and was shared thousands of times on Facebook. The video has now been viewed over 900,000 times.
The campaign went on to close yesterday at over $162,400, having received funding from 1,785 people in 14 countries. This sets a new record for both the total raised and the number of supporters for an Australian social cause crowdfunding campaign on any platform.
Edgar’s Mission Founder and Director, Pam Ahern said she was shocked by the generosity and belief people have shown in their work.
“Crowdfunding has been an incredible tool which has enabled people to really feel a part of creating Edgar’s Mission Mark 2,” Ms Ahern said.
Founder and CEO of not-for-profit crowdfunding platform Chuffed.org, Prashan Paramanathan, commented that the Edgar’s Mission campaign demonstrates the power of crowdfunding in not only raising significant funds, but also to growing the reach of an organisation.
“[We’re] quietly confident that projects from the social sector will start to join the technology, film and gaming projects on the 2014 list of biggest Australian crowdfunding campaigns,” Paramanathan said.
