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Crowdfunding Guide

How do I run a successful crowdfunding campaign?

How Crowdfunding Works

Crowdfunding is a collaborative way to fund your land project by inviting many people to give however much they can. Ma Earth combines your crowdfunding efforts with matching funds, meaning your community's participation unlocks even more funding.

We’re shifting the focus from how much people donate to how many people donate.

More donors = more matching funds.

When your campaign succeeds, so does the collective. When everyone succeeds, and projects collectively reach a shared funding goal, matching funds increase for all.

Your role: You know your community best. Engaging with your supporters and community is the foundation of a strong campaign.

Have questions? We’re here to help. Reach out at [email protected]

Pre-Launch Checklist

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted to Ma Earth’s Funding Round 3. Next step: spread the word.

Use this checklist to prepare before your campaign launches:

  • Create a list of 50+ contacts. Friends, family, colleagues, past donors, community members. These are the people you’ll tell first when your campaign launches.

  • Find your flow with your personal pitch. Practice explaining your project campaign in 2-3 sentences. Studies show we have 10-30 seconds to grab someone’s attention.

  • Identify ~5 allies who will share your campaign. These are your personal influencers. People who are excited to leverage their network. Ask them before the campaign launch if they would be willing to help you spread the word. (Then, be sure to tag them in your campaign posts and send them pre-written content to make it easy for them to help.)

  • Update your social media profiles. Add your campaign page link.

  • Prepare your launch message. Draft emails, texts, and social posts ahead of time. Feel free to use our templates to get started.

  • Plan ahead. Consider reserving a few hours the week of the campaign launch to reach out to your contacts.

  • Join a Ma Earth community call. Connect with fellow land stewards and allies, ask questions, and get advice on how to make the most of your campaign.

Launch Strategy & Timeline

2 Months Before Campaign Launch: Prepare

  • Gather photos, videos, and testimonials to support your campaign

  • Create your list of personal and professional contacts

  • Draft your outreach messages (or use our templates to get started)

  • Identify up to 5 key allies to help spread the word

1 Month Before Campaign Launch: Build Anticipation

  • Send a "something exciting is coming" message to close friends and colleagues

  • Mark your calendar for campaign launch day

  • Join Ma Earth community calls for logistical questions and conversations with other organizations

Week 1: Start Strong

This is the most important week of your campaign.

Day 1:

  • Add campaign link to all social media profiles

  • Send personal messages to your top 10-25 supporters

  • Post on social media with your project and campaign link

  • Email your mailing list to announce the launch

  • Share in relevant WhatsApp, Telegram, or community groups

Days 2-7:

  • Send personal messages to 5 additional supporters each day

  • Post 2-3 updates on social media

  • Ask your 5 allies to share your campaign

  • Celebrate early supporters publicly (with their permission)

  • Post a video or go live to share about your campaign

Week 2: Keep the Momentum Going

  • Continue sending personal messages to potential supporters (suggested: 5 messages per day)

  • Post 1-2 social media updates

  • Post a campaign update to all supporters (through your Ma Earth dashboard)

  • Share to your email list

  • Share to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook groups

  • Send reminders to people you contacted in Week 1

Final Week: Get to the Finish Line

This is a very important week of your campaign. Remember that people often need to see information 10+ times to take action on it—consider sending kind reminders.

  • Send a "final reminder" message to your full contact list

  • Post 2-3+ times on social media, emphasizing the deadline

  • Thank allies who shared and ask them to share one more time

  • Post an update to all supporters on your Ma Earth page

Message Templates

1: Launch Message to Individual Contacts

Intended for: Friends, family, colleagues, and trusted supporters.

Channels: Email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, etc.

Optional Subject Line for Email: We’re trying something different with [Organization Name]

Copy, customize, and send:


Template 2: General Community Message

Intended for: Broader networks, social media posts, newsletters

Optional Subject Line for Email: Join us in regenerating [location/ecosystem]

Copy, customize, and send:


Template 3: Follow-Up Message

Intended for: People who haven't responded to your first message

Optional Subject Line for Email: Following up on [Project Name]

Copy, customize, and send:


Template 4: Request to Share

Intended for: Asking allies to amplify your campaign

Optional subject line for email: Would you help spread the word about [org or project name]?

Copy, customize, and send:

—-

Version A: Personal Network

To send to your contacts via email, message, or WhatsApp groups.

Optional subject line: Supporting a project I believe in

Copy, customize, and send:


Version B: Social Media Share

To post on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Copy, customize, and send:


Template 5: Get to the Finish Line

Intended for: Everyone

Optional subject line: Final days: [Project Name] needs your support!

Copy, customize, and send:


Tips for Success

Do:

  • Start Week 1 strong to set your momentum

  • Send personal messages, not just mass emails

  • Thank every supporter individually

  • Share updates regularly so people see progress

Avoid

  • Waiting until the end to push hard.

  • Only posting on social media. Personal outreach is key.

  • Giving up if the campaign slows down. The final week is often where the magic happens.

Remember: Your campaign isn't just about your project; it's also about inviting your community into something meaningful. People give because they believe in you and the work you're doing.


Questions?

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