We love it that you are committed to improving the water quality and biodiversity of your local waterway. There are two things about listing your project with us:
1. You need to be, or have, a Field Partner, and
2. You need to be prepared to do some crowdfunding (see below).
Once you’ve got to grips with these, contact us to get the ball rolling.
A Field Partner is an organisation which has signed an MOU with us.
We need to work with Field Partners because:
Typically Field Partners are already experienced in the on-the-ground delivery of riparian restoration projects and know the processes and best practice for riparian restoration. Such organisations can be regional, district or city councils and community restoration groups. The MOU is a simple agreement which lays out what the Field Partner and we will deliver in terms of project delivery and reporting. Contact our Project Manager about becoming a Field Partner.
Crowdfunding is asking a crowd to each put a small amount of money to a common cause.
So while each individual is giving a small, and affordable, donation; the cumulative effect of this action results in thousands of dollars towards a common goal.
Crowdfunding is a very old concept – the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty was crowdfunded in 1882. The difference now is we have technology and the internet to make it simpler, easier, and more widely accessible.
We will fund the plants, and any costs associated with getting the plants in the ground, such as contract labour for planting, weed matting, fertiliser tabs, and plant delivery to the site.
Just like other crowdfunding websites, we provide the “platform” that brings the parties together to make the fundraising happen.
How we differ from other platforms:
People like to give to a good cause. The way people identify with a cause is through story. Your story is the story of your land, and your involvement in its restoration. It’s the wider community benefit of a healthy waterway.
You tell your story through your content – in particular, a crowdfunding video. The video is your chance to make sure your networks and audience understand the importance of the project.
Your video will be supported by field notes that outline the technical aspects of your project. You’ll also be expected to provide a thank-you message to those who donate.
Once you’re in touch with us, we’ll provide you with a detailed guide for providing content for your page.
Before you launch your campaign, you’ll need to know how you’re going to promote it. The first five days of any crowdfunding project are vitally important as they provide the momentum for the rest of the campaign.
Your whole team will have their own networks, and the most effective crowdfunding projects contact everyone they know to inform them of the project.
Your campaign is 30 days (or however long your campaign will be) of hard slog. You’ll be contacting everyone you know, as well as local press to let them know what’s going on.
You’ll need to be committed to success, and campaign promotion for the entire period to succeed. Ask us for the Million Metres crowdfunding toolkit when you’re ready to plan your campaign.
Your donors want to know that you’ve done what you said you would.
We will email annual updates to your donors, complete with anecdotal, visual, and scientific evidence of improvements in your stream health. But you have to give us the information first!