Submit a Project

How to submit a project

The Tipping Bucket is a successful online platform that helps individuals and organizations fundraise for sustainable social causes. The platform is simple: Our site features one project, or bucket, at a time, each with its own specific funding goal and deadline. Using a proven social media strategy, we leverage the organization's social network as well as our own to reach the funding goal in time. Because we ask people to "donate $1 and spread the word," we turn casual newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans into "micro-donors" and advocates of your cause. This process, known as "crowd-funding," is changing the fundraising landscape, and we invite you to be a part of it.

So far all of our buckets have tipped, or reached their funding goals in time. Since our commitment to our micro-donors is that they will only fund projects that will actually be completed, if a bucket doesn't tip in time, the transactions aren't processed and no one pays even $1. Hence, our promise to "Change the world or your money back!" So far our buckets have ranged between $400 and $3000.

Who can submit a project?

We are always on the look-out for new projects that will change the world for the better--in sustainable and measurable ways. While we firmly stand by our DRIPS criteria (which you'll find below), we are open-minded and look at each project individually. Because our mission is to support aspiring social entrepreneurs, we prefer to work with projects in their beginning phases and help provide seed capital. However, we do welcome submissions from more established organizations and more developed projects, especially projects that are particularly innovative, impactful, and that have potential for replication.

We work with projects from all over the world within several impact sectors (health, education, environment, opportunity, etc.) While Tipping Bucket staff and review board decide which projects go up on our site, it is ultimately our community's decision--as they vote with their $1--if a project is funded or not. The micro-donors also decide how they will receive updates about the bucket's progress after it has tipped.

What's in it for your cause or organization?

Besides the obvious benefit of getting a project funded, having your organization's bucket on our site is a major PR and social media boost for your organization or cause. It connects you to a community of potential supporters, donors, interns, experts in the field, and like-minded organizations. It also taps you into the viral capability of social media and crowd-funding, and extends your reach to thousands of socially-minded people, both young and old, who can give a few dollars--and a few shout-outs--in support of your cause. Since we're still in beta, we are currently waiving our application fees, so now's a great time to partner with us.

Why are our criteria called DRIPS?

D Do-Ability

Is the idea good? Is the project feasible and marketable? Is the theory of change sound?

R Readiness

Is the team prepared? Have you done your research, built a team, set up local partnerships, etc.?

I Impact

Will it make a difference? What effects do you anticipate the project having? How will you track and evaluate them?

P Propriety

Is it appropriate for the context? Is the project culturally and socially sensitive? Does it foster participation and local ownership?

S Sustainability

Will it last? How will you maintain your impact? Is there potential for replication and/or growth?

Great. What's the application process?

It's simple: If you're interested in partnering with us and feel that your project meets the criteria above, go here to create an account and submit a project inquiry. We'll get back to you within a week and let you know if we need more information. From there, we'll work together to flesh out the project details, prepare concise, compelling messaging, and develop a social media strategy to give your bucket the best chance of tipping. It may be a few weeks before the projects we select are featured on the site, but we'll be in touch throughout the process.

Continue to project submit form