The UNDP Crowdfunding Academy is now open for applications

The UNDP Crowdfunding Academy (CFA) is now open for applications! The global CFA is a two-month online training that dives into the world of fundraising, building your skills to successfully start a crowdfunding campaign yourself to fund a project or initiative at UNDP.  

The interactive and hands-on academy will explore the science behind successful digital fundraising – you’ll learn different types of crowdfunding approaches, how to set the right funding goal, creative ways to engage partners, build a beautiful campaign page and an efficient communications strategy, and receive detailed advice on what to do (and what not to do) when fundraising.  

It is a joint initiative between the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions, and UNDP AltFinLab, a flagship project at UNDP Europe and Central Asia promoting alternative finance for development.

How to apply 

The training is open to UNDP Country and Regional Offices anywhere, as well as global teams, seeking to mobilize funds for new or existing projects or campaigns in several key thematic areas (but not limited to): inequality, climate and nature, and crisis and conflict, in line with UNDP’s external engagement priority themes. To apply, please fill in the application form and provide a description of your campaign idea (not to worry – these may be adapted on your crowdfunding journey). Teams should aim to launch their campaigns 3-6 months after the end of the training. 

⏳  The deadline for submitting applications is December 20, 2023. You will receive information about your application in mid-January.

What to expect

The academy will start at the beginning of 2024. It consists of 10-12 interactive online sessions, including an introduction to crowdfunding, building a campaign strategy and mapping your crowdfunding ecosystem, setting your financial goal, engaging partners for resource mobilization, as well as communications and storytelling for crowdfunding among other things. The sessions are tailored to fit your needs and improve your skills to launch your own successful crowdfunding campaign. Each session includes a 10-to-20-minute video and a short quiz. Following every third module, you will be given an assignment to complete, which will help you build your campaign. 

You will also be assigned a mentor to work with you as you prepare to launch your campaign. Our mentorship takes the form of regular meetings, where you discuss assignments and other pressing campaign issues. The academy requires a weekly time commitment. Your team will need to invest 3-5 hours weekly. 

What you’ll receive

By joining the Crowdfunding Academy, you will receive:  

• Access to the training materials and resources, master class videos on specific topics, and the Community of Practice on SparkBlue to interact with other participants;  
• Access to UNDP’s fundraising platforms – Every.org & Classy – allowing you to create custom campaign pages and content, while providing donors with a secure, reliable donation experience;  
• Access to a pool of crowdfunding experts and mentors from AltFinLab, who will provide hands-on support and personalized mentorship sessions on campaign strategy and communications to creating videos & visuals; 
• Access to central operational processes, including financial reconciliation, managed by UNDP BERA; 
• Additional learning opportunities through LinkedIn for which you can receive a certificate upon completion; 
• Access to communications support from BERA on regional or global campaigns. 
   

To crowdfund is to build a community. Join us!