UNDP Crowdfunding Academy

The UNDP Crowdfunding Academy is a global learning programme designed and delivered by UNDP AltFinLab that equips organizations and institutions with the skills and tools to design and launch successful crowdfunding campaigns.

Turning ideas into impactful fundraising campaigns for people and planet

Launched by UNDP in 2015, the Crowdfunding Academy is a global learning programme designed and delivered by UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) that equips organizations and institutions with the skills and tools to design and launch successful crowdfunding campaigns. Through a structured online curriculum, hands-on assignments, expert mentorship, and access to partner fundraising platforms, the Academy guides participants from concept to launch.

Over the years, the Academy has trained nonprofits, youth organizations, social enterprises, cities, and UN agencies, supporting them to mobilize resources for community-driven development.

How the academy works

Each Academy is tailored to the needs of various types of participants while following a proven structure that can be adapted for different contexts. The programme is built around four key pillars:

Participants join a global, regional or national cohort programme and progress through 13 online modules over two months via a learning platform, combining video lessons, assignments, and interactive sessions with experts.
From all participating teams, a small group is selected for intensive mentorship, masterclasses, and guided content development to transform their ideas into launch-ready campaigns. Teams are selected based on the clarity of concept, potential impact, and readiness to participate.
Teams receive structured assistance to finalize campaign pages, refine messaging, prepare launch plans and content, and activate their networks.
Mentors continue working with teams after launch to strengthen outreach, respond to emerging challenges, maintain momentum, and maximize campaign performance.

Who the academy is for

The UNDP Crowdfunding Academy has trained hundreds of people from a wide variety of organizations and institutions. If you’re working to advance a development goal, there is a place for you here.

Civil society organizations

Raise resources for local impact projects and build stronger digital storytelling and donor engagement.

Startups & businesses

Crowdfund early-stage pilots or social innovations and validate ideas through public support.

Cities & local governments

Mobilize communities around urban, cultural, green, or social initiatives through digital fundraising.

International organizations

Design high-quality fundraising campaigns for national, regional or global programmes.

Help communities unlock new ways to fund ideas that matter

Collaborate with UNDP AltFinLab to deliver a tailored Crowdfunding Academy as part of a programme or initiative.

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What you'll learn

The UNDP Crowdfunding Academy combines practical tools with hands-on guidance to help participants design and deliver a high-quality digital fundraising campaign from start to finish. Across 13 interactive modules, participants learn how to:

Develop a clear crowdfunding strategy and campaign plan

Set realistic fundraising goals and budgets

Choose the right crowdfunding platform

Craft compelling stories, messages, and campaign content

Design effective campaign pages and visual assets

Create rewards and incentives where relevant to the campaign model

Use social media and communications to grow support

Engage media, communities, partners, and donors

Launch, manage, and sustain campaign momentum

Follow up with supporters and build long-term relationships beyond the campaign

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