GW Raise FAQ

For Project Leaders and Teams

What is crowdfunding?

According to the Oxford Dictionary:

Crowdfunding noun
crowd·fund·ing  
/ˈkroudˌfəndiNG/

1. the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.

At GW, crowdfunding is a way for qualified university groups to raise money for approved university programs, projects, ventures, create buzz, and raise awareness about the cause.  All projects must be approved, not violate any George Washington University or GW Raise policies and procedures, and work towards advancing the mission and future of GW and its community.  

Who can apply?

Members of the GW community: students, staff, faculty, and alumni.  Each group must have an advisor that works in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR). If you are unsure about who would be your advisor, please contact [email protected].

How do I apply?

Review the application checklist.

Once you're ready, complete an application.  If your project is suitable to move forward, a staff person from the Office of Annual Giving will contact you to set up a meeting to discuss the details of your application and suggest any changes or improvements.  If this meeting is successful, your project will be granted preliminary approval and provided a list of required things to complete before going live.  If all requirements are met to the satisfaction of the Office of Annual Giving, you will receive final approval and launch on GW Raise platform.   

When should I apply?

You are more than welcome to apply as soon as you are ready. However, if you have a specific timeline in mind, please refer to the details below.

* Deadline for Student Organizations 

Which kind of projects are accepted?

We encourage members of the university community to be creative and illustrate the positive impact of the campaign. For example, this could involve raising money for the gymnastics team to attend an annual competition or sending medical students and faculty on a university-approved program to provide volunteer medical care abroad.

Having a great cause and project is just the first step! Successful projects have an excellent story, motivated team, and robust audience to solicit for support.  Please review our checklist before applying and importantly, review and follow all GW Raise policies and procedures.

How long do campaigns last?

The typical GW Raise campaigns last 7-30 days.

How long does it take to set up a campaign?

Once you apply, it can take a month or more to plan, gather the requirements, and iron out any details prior to launching. 

After our campaign has ended, how does our team access the raised funds for the project?

All raised funds will be deposited into the advisor-approved university account that was determined prior to the project launch on the platform.  Please work with your DAR advisor and applicable business office staff to access the funds for your project.  

For Donors

Which forms of payment does GW Raise accept?

We offer credit card, bank transfer, and mobile wallet options.  If you are interested in giving via check or other means, please contact [email protected] and we will assist you.

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

The George Washington University is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and as such you may be able to receive a tax deduction for your gift to the university. Please contact your tax advisor for further information.

Once you make a donation, you will receive an electronic receipt that can be used for tax purposes, if you require a print copy of the receipt, please email your request along with a mailing address to [email protected] or  [email protected].

Will my name be displayed after making a gift?  Can I remain anonymous?

Your name will appear unless you choose to remain anonymous and that option will be available at checkout.  Your donation amount is not displayed on the campaign page whether you remain anonymous or display your name.

Are there any fees to make a gift on GW Raise?  How much of my gift goes directly to the project and team?

100% of your donation goes to the project team to fund their project.

I made a gift, but want to do more.  What can I do?

We welcome enthusiastic donors and provide the opportunity to become campaign advocates.  You can become an advocate by doing one or more of the following things:

• Share the campaign via email, text, or social media.  Creating an account on our platform will allow you to track the clicks and dollars generated by your outreach.
• Create a personal plea, which is a short video highlighting your reasons for giving to the campaign.
• Create a personal match and see your donation dollars inspire others!  Example:  "I will match, dollar for dollar, every gift made by students up to $100."
• Create a personal challenge and create a friendly competition!  Example:  "I will give $100 if the campaign gets another 100 donors in 7 days."

Questions, comments, or concerns?  Email us at [email protected].