Webinars for Wise Nonprofits: Crowdfunding: What Nonprofits Should Know When Using Online Fundraising Platforms

This webinar focuses on the legal and practical issues relating to nonprofits as they consider engaging supporters or raising funds using an online platform. Such efforts are particularly timely for "disaster/emergency relief" initiatives in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will also only very briefly touch on possible use by a nonprofit of "investment" crowdfunding options. Participants will learn about some of the different approaches taken by online platforms, some of the factors to consider in choosing among platforms, and some of the principal legal (and business) considerations, including, "peer-to-peer" campaign elements, charitable solicitation compliance, consumer protections, and tax treatment.

Note: This webinar will not go into detail about the wide variety of online fundraising campaign designs. It will focus more on the relationships between the nonprofit campaign sponsor and the use of an online platform provider.

Learning Objective: Participants will identify significant issues to address in fundraising through online platforms.

For nonprofit executives, managers, development professionals, and others involved in nonprofit fundraising.

Presenter: Neil Stevenson, Senior Staff Attorney