![\"SIU](\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/greenhouse-1024x682.jpg\")
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SIU\u2019s University Farms greenhouse had a problem two summers ago: too many plants and not enough space.<\/p>\n
Over the years, a separate teaching greenhouse had fallen into so much disrepair that the department had to consolidate activities in the University Farms greenhouse<\/a>. The cramped conditions put a crimp in teaching and research efforts, and no funds were available to fix the problem.<\/p>\n Karen Jones, chair of SIU\u2019s Department of Plant, Soil, and Agricultural Systems<\/a>, determined that if the department could grow plants by vertically laying them above the ground, it could ease space issues. To do this, she realized the plants would require light-emitting diodes, commonly referred to as LED lights.<\/p>\n The next problem Jones faced was how to pay for the lights. Determined to find a solution, she turned to SIU\u2019s network of alumni and students for help.<\/p>\n Jones and her team launched a fundraising project on SIU\u2019s new SalukiFunder<\/a>, a crowdfunding web platform for campus organizations that is administered by the SIU Foundation, and set a goal of raising $3,000.<\/p>\n They met their goal \u2013 and then some. Alumni and other supporters gave $3,105, which helped to buy several new LED lights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were really surprised,\u201d said Matt McCoy, director of constituent relations for the SIU Foundation<\/a>, who spearheaded this first-ever effort of raising funds through crowdfunding. \u201cI don\u2019t think any of us appreciated how effective fundraising through a crowdfunding platform<\/a> would be. We definitely were pleasantly surprised to meet and achieve our goal so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Since SalukiFunder<\/a> launched in May 2016, 14 groups have raised more than $42,000. The money has supported a variety of causes, such as the Touch of Nature<\/a> mountain bike trails, the Strong Survivors program for cancer survivors and caregivers<\/a>, the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and the SAE International Saluki Baja team.<\/p>\n A growing number of universities have launched crowdfunding platforms similar to SIU\u2019s, which works like this: once an organization\u2019s application to participate has been chosen, the group meets with a mentor from the foundation\u2019s Development and Alumni Relations office to develop project descriptions, social media posts and emails. Campaigns usually run between 30 and 45 days.<\/p>\n Each group posts a description of its project on the SalukiFunder site<\/a>, along with a video clip or photo. The group then promotes the project through social media and emails to supporters. With just a few clicks, supporters can make their donations directly to the causes they most care about.<\/p>\n McCoy said that a big benefit of crowdfunding is that it gives students, faculty, alumni and the community a way to connect.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for donors to connect with a cause or project they believe in,\u201d he said. \u201cInstead of donating to a general fund, donors can choose a specific project and see exactly where their donations are going.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave Baer, a 1975 SIU graduate, donated through SalukiFunder<\/a> to the College of Agricultural Science\u2019s<\/a> LED lighting project. As a loyal Saluki and major contributor, Baer said he makes a point of promoting SalukiFunder<\/a> when he\u2019s talking with other alumni.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a big Saluki fan,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great way to support students directly, and that is really what so many alumni are trying to do: help the next generation succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Check out current SalukiFunder projects:\u00a0https:\/\/salukifunder.siu.edu\/<\/a><\/p>\n Engage with us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SIU\u2019s University Farms greenhouse had a problem two summers ago: too many plants and not enough space. Over the years, a separate teaching greenhouse had fallen into so much disrepair that the department had to consolidate activities in the University Farms greenhouse. The cramped conditions put a crimp in teaching and research efforts, and no … Continue reading Connecting Through Crowdfunding<\/span>