Our Crowdfunding Groups
CougStarter is Washington State University's crowdfunding program, empowering registered student organizations from any campus to share their visions, ideas, and plans.
Generous WSU donors and alumni have the opportunity to help bring these projects to life!
CougStarter focuses on programs and projects that enrich the WSU student experience, create opportunities to give back to our communities, and foster personal and professional development. CougStarter encourages the WSU family to support students through giving, advocacy and active engagement.
With the help of the CougStarter team, student groups will have the opportunity to run their own three-week campaign to fundraise for an event or project. In the past, students have raised money for a variety of professional development opportunities. For more information on past projects, click here!
If you have additional questions, other than those listed below, please contact wsuf.cougstarter@wsu.edu
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project by asking for several small monetary gifts from a large number of people, and it's typically most successful on social media platforms. Participating groups raise money by sharing their project on their social media pages and asking for donations to meet their fundraising goal. The best channels to use are email, texting, social media and word of mouth. Your goal as a team will be helping your audience gain a better understanding of your team's goals while providing an opportunity to donate.
Who can apply for CougStarter?
Any Registered Student Organization or Club from any campus in the WSU System is welcome and encouraged to apply for CougStarter! A good way to know if you're eligible to participate in CougStarter is that your group is listed on your campus' Coug Presence site. The only other requirement is a gift ID (e.g. GF####) and/or program number (e.g. PG####)** that you spend money from. If you are unsure if you have a gift ID and/or program number, please contact wsuf.cougstarter@wsu.edu.
** If your club is listed on your campus' Coug Presence site, you are eligible to apply. In place of a Program Number, please be prepared to provide the name and WSU contact information for the full-time staff member your club works with to spend money.
What are the criteria for participating in CougStarter?
We expect CougStarter participants to be communicative with the CougStarter team, finish their pages on time, and complete stewardship activities within three weeks of finishing the campaign. The selection criteria for clubs to participate in CougStarter are below:
- You are listed as a club, sports club, or registered student organization on your campus' Coug Presence site
- You have a PG/GF number OR a full-time staff contact that your club works with to spend money
- You complete a Q&A Session with the CougStarter Team AFTER your application is submitted
- You are prepared to set a realistic goal, plan the steps to reach that goal, and execute that plan to the best of your ability
- You address how your project will enrich the WSU student experience and foster professional development within your organization
- You are prepared to read, review, and sign the CougStarter Student Crowdfunding Agreement
The most successful crowdfunding campaigns have a clear cause with project team members who are consistent in promoting the campaign and making solicitations - or asking for donations. The CougStarter team provides coaching on how to do this.
What are the major dates and deadlines associated with CougStarter?
Application period:.................................................................. Sept. 4 - Sept. 25, 2024
Application screening and interviews......................................Sept. 11 - Sept. 27, 2024
CougStarter student group onboarding and building campaign pages*:....Sept. 15 - Oct. 7, 2024
CougStarter is live and accepting gifts:.................................................. Oct. 9, 2024
CougStarter closes, last day to make a gift:...........................................Oct. 30, 2024
Campaign final results announcement:.................................................. Nov. 13, 2024
*All campaign pages require final approval by the CougStarter Team before going live.
Applicants will be scheduled for virtual interviews following submission of their application.
What are the benefits of participating in CougStarter?
CougStarter empowers registered student organizations to advocate for their projects and raise money to bring them to life. It's your opportunity to share the amazing work you're doing and get the WSU family involved through advocacy, active engagement and philanthropic support. As a benefit to your club, the WSU Foundation promotes the CougStarter platform on various channels to increase exposure of all active projects.
Please email wsuf.cougstarter@wsu.edu if you have more specific questions.
When can I make my gift?
The 2024 Fall CougStarter campaigns will go live on October 9, 2024. You can make your gift(s) anytime during Oct. 9 - Oct. 30, 2024. If you would like to continue supporting any of the participating groups after Oct. 30, 2024, you can learn more about doing so here.
How will my gift be used?
Your gift will go directly to the project you've chosen to support. It will be used to help the group complete their project. Please refer to the specific project page to learn more about how your support will make an impact.
How else can I support a CougStarter project?
The best way to make an immediate impact for WSU's student groups is to make a gift during the campaign - every gift adds up to help make student projects come to life!
If you're unable to make a monetary donation, you can sign up to be an ambassador and spread the word about the students and their projects! Ambassadors are key to a crowdfunding project's success. Social media and peer-to-peer engagement is what crowdfunding is all about! Being an ambassador is about more than following a project on social media - you will make an impact by actively sharing the project throughout the duration of the campaign with your family, friends and fellow Cougs.
Which forms of payment are accepted?
The CougStarter platform accepts payment from VISA, MasterCard, and Discover cards.
Are there any fees associated?
There is no cost to participate in CougStarter. However, a 5% advancement fee is applied to gifts processed by the WSU Foundation to help offset direct operating costs related to soliciting, processing and stewarding private contributions, and to provide the resources necessary to encourage greater philanthropic support for Washington State University. Upon receipt of a gift, the Foundation will deduct the one-time advancement fee from the amount gifted. While the fee will have only a minor effect on individual funds, its collective impact will encourage sustained growth in private support across the University.
Learn more here.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. You must claim the gift as an itemized deduction on your tax return.
The WSU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is structurally separate from Washington State University and exists solely for WSU’s benefit, serving as the preferred channel for private gifts to all areas of the University.
The WSU Foundation’s taxpayer identification number is 91-1075542.
Can I donate using gifts of stock, my IRA, or a donor-advised fund?
At this time, the easiest way to support a CougStarter project is with a credit or debit card transaction.
Whom should I contact with other questions about CougStarter?
Please email the CougStarter team with any additional questions about the campaign.
Email: wsuf.cougstarter@wsu.edu
If you have any questions about accepted forms of payment, different types of gifts or tax deductibility, please refer to our FAQ.
