Fall Crowdfunding Begins with Webster Student Scholarship Fund; Additional Projects Sought

Webster University has launched a crowdfunding campaign focused on the Webster Student Scholarship Fund, which kicked off today as the first of multiple “micro” campaigns that will enable community support for specific areas of need.

Other funds currently planned include an effort to support international students at the Webster Groves campus, and a Library-driven fund to support textbook affordability and accessibility efforts. Ideas like these have developed from grassroots discussions among students, faculty and staff. The Office of Advancement is seeking similar near-term proposals from the community for crowdfunding initiatives to be conducted this fall.

“Crowdfunding is an immediate way for members of our community to join with others to meet specific needs that are important to them,” said Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “So many students and their families have faced economic pressure during the pandemic; we are excited to use the crowdfunding platform to help provide an extra measure of support for areas of greatest need.”

Some crowdfunding campaigns support “evergreen” needs, such as the scholarship fund or the Chancellor’s Vision Fund – an annual fund that supports mission-critical needs and special projects such as last year’s Africana Studies trip to Ghana or the recent expansion of the Academic Resource Center. Other crowdfunding campaigns are narrowly targeted and short-term in nature, such as a specific student initiative or immediate need like the Gorloks Now! and Front-Line Responders campaigns completed over the summer.

Contribute to the Webster Student Scholarship Fund on the crowdfunding platform here.

Proposing a Crowdfunding Campaign

Successful short-term campaigns typically:

• Have a group of at least 3-5 “champions” who can support the fund and rally others to support it
• Includes a group or allies who are able to expand outreach to generate support
• Target goals between $2,000-$10,000
• Address achievable projects (e.g. supporting a student group’s trip or event)

Webster has an opportunity to launch several campaigns that will garner support during the “giving season” from now until the end of the calendar year. We are eager to receive your proposals. You could submit an application today, have a colleague from Advancement consult you in the next week, and launch your campaign in a matter of weeks.

To submit a proposal, fill out this form.