In January of 2013, Raleigh City Councillor Bonner Gaylord introduced an idea to his Technology and Communications Committee of the City Council that would take advantage of a new feature of SeeClickFix and allow citizens to raise money at a grassroots level to pay for projects within the community. Called SeeClickFix Projects, the feature works similarly to KickStarter in that citizens would pledge support for a project and that funds wouldn't be collected until a project was fully funded.

Ultimately, in a 4-to-4 vote, Council rejected the idea, suggesting that this would be better handled by citizens than be an official function of the City [Raleigh Public Record, Jan 16, 2013].

Learning of this decision, the Raleigh Code for America Brigade began organizing several small pilot campaigns to test the viability of using SeeClickFix Projects in Raleigh.

  1. Install two bike racks
  2. Add a trash can at a popular bus stop
    After some research, organizers learned that Raleigh receives ample Federal funding for trash cans and decided that this project wasn't a good fit for use as a trial.
  3. [Bonner's idea goes here]

To help others, We created a SeeClickFix Projects How to Guide and we will continue to record our grassroots experience at the bottom of this post under the title "Summary Notes."

Ready to Start a Project?

The project Title is the first thing people read when viewing your project. SeeClickFix recommends, but don't require, it be in the format "Please support _____________". For example, "Please support planting trees in newbury park" is good.

The Short Description will typically be displayed below the title on pages where other projects are listed. You'll want to both succinctly describe your project and make it sound interesting enough that people will want to click through to read the full description.

Last, SeeClickFix requires either a video (posted on youtube) or an image. This is possibly the most important bit of information, as it's what catches the viewer's eye. Projects with videos are 20% more likely to be funded.

This is where the project should be described in detail.

SeeClickFix recommends including the following points:

  • Clearly describe the project. Include links to more pictures or external websites if possible.
  • Sell the project. Make sure people know why it's valuable to the community.
  • People want to know that their money is being put to use wisely. Outline with as much detail as possible how the money will be used. Include a list of expenses totaling your funding goal. If you're planning on planting trees, how many trees do you plan on purchasing? How much is a tree?
  • If you're also looking to organize around the project, be sure to provide all of the details, like a schedule, location, contact information etc.
  • Describe why it is that you're capable of organizing the project and seeing it through to completion.

Show Me the Money

Funding Goal This is the amount of money you want to raise. Backer's credit cards will not be charged until you meet your goal. If you do not meet your goal, no financial transaction will occur. Be sure to include a small percentage for unknowns, cleanup or administrative overhead. Most first-time organizers underestimate a project's total cost. Amazon charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. (As of 3/2013)

Date Range SeeClickFix asks that you provide both a start date and an end date for fundraising. After you submit this project for review, SeeClickFix will contact you and hopefully approve the project. Once a project is approved, it will only be available to people you've invited (private fundraising) until the project goes live at the starting date. Projects can be live for a maximum of 30 days. Short funding periods are important to convey a sense of urgency. SeeClickFix charges 7% for successful projects. (As of 3/2013)

Approval

SeeClickFix will not share your phone number. A phone number is required because a staff member from SeeClickFix will call you to discuss your project. 

 

 

Who's the Bank?

As the project organizer you must register to receive funds from Amazon.

Your Live Campaign Page

 


 

Organizer Notes (Summary)

Pilot 1 - Bike Racks: I [Reid Serozi] requested for a location to be reviewed by the public works department as a possible candidate for two to three racks to be installed. I received the green light for the location,  but the public works department did not approve my request to have the racks purchased by private funds and installed in the public right away. On May 20th 2013, I appeared before the BPAC to make a public comment to ask for support to allow racks to be installed in the public space using private funds. The following motion was granted: "BPAC recommends that City Council accept bike rack donations from the Raleigh citizen crowdfunding program utilizing SeeClickFix. The backup memo will include info on the program and where you plan to install the racks"

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