One person at a time, from a couch
Passive crowdfunding collects small gifts online, one person at a time, from the comfort of a couch. It depends on people remembering to act later.
Live crowdfunding
Turn a full house into a force for good.
Live, on-stage crowdfunding invites thousands of your fans to give a small amount at the same moment, for a cause you believe in. Here's how it works, and how to do it well.
6–10 minOf stage time
ThousandsOf fans, one moment
$100 or lessPer ticket holder
Why live beats passive
Small gifts, multiplied by a room
Imagine asking every ticket holder for $100 or less. On its own, a small gift. Multiplied by thousands of fans, it can breathe new life into a foundation or a nonprofit that needs it.
Together, in the room, in minutes
Live crowdfunding happens in the room, in real time, while the energy is highest. A skilled host tells the story and turns a passive audience into active donors, together, in minutes.
Software makes giving possible. People make giving happen.
How it works
Five steps from full house to funded cause
The moment is designed, rehearsed and built into the run of show—so when the ask happens, the room is ready.
01
Choose the cause
A national foundation for the whole tour, a local charity in each city, or both. The cause should fit you and your fans.
02
Design the moment
Where in the set it happens, who tells the story, what the ask is and how long it takes. Most take six to ten minutes.
03
Set up the giving
Text-to-give or a QR code on the screens, on whatever platform your tour or the charity already uses.
04
Make the ask
You, a host or a guest steps up, the screens light up and the room gives. The total climbs live on screen.
05
Follow through
Thank the crowd on stage, share the result the next day and keep the relationship going.
Three ways to do it
Pick the format that fits the show
From a full on-stage moment to a thirty-second screen card, there's a version that works for your tour, season or festival.
Live Crowdfunding
The full on-stage moment at a concert, festival or game, with a live host and a live total.
Full momentCrowdfunding Lite
A lighter version for any tour stop or game night: a short video or announcement, the QR code on the screens and a goal for the night. No host required.
Under a minuteCharity Album Crowdfunding
Fans give to unlock exclusive tracks, videos or behind-the-scenes content, with proceeds going to the cause. Works between tours and keeps your list growing.
Between toursWhat it does for you
Good for the cause. Good for the tour.
Community give-back
A charity in each city you play, alongside a national foundation, shows every community you care.
Media exposure
Giving programs draw coverage. Imagine telling your fans that your music has helped thousands of people.
Fan engagement
Fans act on the cause right then, with you, and feel the impact immediately.
A lasting legacy
Each program builds a reputation for giving that lasts beyond a single night or season.
After the show
The night raises the money. What happens next builds the relationship.
01
Grow your fan list
Collect email and text opt-ins from donors during every program.
02
Exclusive content and pre-sales
Give donors unreleased content and first access to shows or releases.
03
Donor-only merchandise
A thank-you item tied to your brand and the cause.
04
Continued fundraising
City-to-city challenges and tour-wide goals keep fans giving after the encore.
05
Launching a foundation
Help with planning, budgeting and board formation when you're ready to formalize your giving.
How the consulting works
Built before anyone walks on stage
Working with Shelly St John means the moment is built before anyone walks on stage:
- A working session with you, your management and the charity to choose the cause and set the goal
- The run of show: timing, story, the ask, the screens and the live total
- Coaching for whoever makes the ask
- Giving-platform partners, if you need them
- The after-the-show plan: thank-yous, fan list, content and the next challenge
Questions artists and managers ask
Straight answers before the tour rolls
01
Is this a software platform?
It works with the giving platform you or the charity already use, and if you don't have one, you'll be connected with partners who do this every night.
02
How long does it take out of the set?
6 to 10 minutes for a full live moment, unless fundraising is going rapidly, which makes everyone happy!
03
Who makes the ask?
You, me or the host or a guest - with coaching provided.
04
Does this work for a team or a festival?
Yes. The model was built for concerts, festivals, national sporting events and collegiate programs.
Planning a tour, a season or a festival?
The first conversation is free, and you'll leave with a clear picture of what a giving moment could look like for your fans.