Nearly every small business across America has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, whether they’ve had to adjust their operations or shut down completely. The financial impact of state lockdowns and social distancing has been a difficult burden for many business owners, especially those who can no longer afford to pay their employees and bills.
While government stimulus plans are being discussed, many local businesses simply can’t wait for state or federal aid to come through. That’s why some have turned to their loyal patrons and wider communities to help them meet their immediate needs in these uncertain times. Service businesses that can’t operate remotely, especially those in the restaurant industry, have launched coronavirus crowdfunding campaigns to help them support employees who have been temporarily laid off or had their hours cut due to COVID-19.
"We are grateful for the [Michigan] and federal government on releasing aid for businesses such as ours," reads the GoFundMe campaign page of Grand Rapids-based restaurant and pub, One Bourbon. "Unfortunately, those processes take time, and our kids need help now."
If your business is considering a crowdfunding campaign to mitigate COVID-related financial losses, here’s what you need to know and a few popular platforms to consider.
[Read: 3 Expert Strategies for Curbing Coronavirus-Related Business Losses]
Where to launch a coronavirus crowdfunding campaign
As with a regular crowdfunding campaign, it’s important to do your research and find a platform that best suits your business needs and goals. These popular crowdfunding sites are a good place to start:
- GoFundMe. Founded in 2010, GoFundMe is a popular crowdfunding platform used to raise money for emergencies and charitable causes. GoFundMe can be used by both individuals and businesses, but the most successful campaigns tend to center around service-based causes. Unlike other popular crowdfunding platforms, your campaign does not have to meet a deadline or goal requirement, meaning you keep everything you raise minus a 2.9% processing fee and 30 cents for every donation.
- Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a rewards-based crowdfunding platform designed to “help bring creative projects to life.” To launch a campaign, you set a fundraising goal, deadline and different pledge levels for backers to choose from. Each pledge level provides something in return, such as a small gift, early access to a product, a personal experience and so on. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing platform. A campaign that doesn’t reach the fundraising goal within the timeline will go unfunded. For successful campaigns, Kickstarter charges 5% of the total funds raised, plus payment processing fees that range between 3% and 5%.
- Indiegogo. Like Kickstarter, Indiegogo campaigns are usually centered around creative works, charities or start-up businesses. Unlike Kickstarter, a campaign can be fixed or flexible. A fixed campaign is all or nothing, whereas a flexible campaign allows you to keep all the funds whether or not you meet your goal. If you don’t meet your goal on a fixed campaign, you will not be charged any fees. For flexible funds, you will be charged a 5% fee plus a 3% processing fee, plus 30 cents per transaction.
- Kiva. Unlike other crowdfunding platforms, Kiva is a non-profit organization that connects entrepreneurs who need a loan with people who want to loan money. Kiva is ideal for individuals who are considered “unbankable” by traditional financial institutions because they have no collateral, no credit history or are otherwise seen as a “risky” investment.
[Read: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start Crowdfunding]
Many people who are financially stable are looking for ways to support businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
Coronavirus Guide for Small Businesses
CO— is working to bring you the best resources and information to help you navigate this challenging time. Read on for our complete coronavirus coverage.
What can I use my crowdfunding proceeds for?
According to GoFundMe, businesses that have used its platform to cover coronavirus losses have used the money they’ve raised for any or all of the following:
- Monthly rent or mortgage payment.
- Health insurance for employees.
- Paid sick time for employees affected by COVID-19.
- Crisis pay for employees who aren’t sick but are out of work.
- Employees who need time off to care for their children.
- Other operational expenses you’re struggling to pay.
- Matching discounts for their donation spread out over time.
- Discounted gift cards for when business is back to normal.
- Priority booking for service-based businesses.
- Free upgrade or add-on service.
- Buy one now get two during the first week back in business.
Many people who are financially stable are looking for ways to support businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. Warp and Weft, a restaurant in Lowell, Massachusetts, raised over $6,000 in two days from local supporters after they closed their doors due to the quarantine.
Unique ways to reward your customers for their support
While not every crowdfunding platform requires you to offer a “reward” in exchange for a donation, some platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo do. Even if your chosen platform doesn’t, it may be a nice gesture to offer your patrons a “thank you” for their support, even if it’s just a coupon for a future purchase.
Here are a few unique ideas for thanking your customers for their generosity:
- Matching discounts for their donation spread out over time
- Discounted gift cards for when business is back to normal
- Priority booking for service-based businesses
- Free upgrade or add-on service
- Buy one now get two during the first week back in business
[Read: 5 Ways to Calm Coronavirus Fears Among Your Employees]
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
