Yes, business and nonprofit entities can raise funds for projects on Kickstarter. See our eligibility requirements for further details.
Nonprofits and charitable organizations can use Kickstarter to raise funds for specific projects or endeavors making something new and shareable, but not for general support for their cause or mission.
However, reward items from a project can be donated to charity, and up to 10% of campaign funds, provided this is disclosed at the time of submission. You're also welcome to include information about donating future proceeds to charity on your project page.
As with planning any project on Kickstarter, it's important to look at Our Rules before getting started.
Can I make a donation to a charity?
Up to 10% of your campaign funds can be donated to charity. You are welcome to list this as a percentage or amount, however the amount must be capped at 10% (e.g. If your goal is $1,000, you can say you’ll donate $100). Please note that this must be disclosed at the time of submission.
Reward items from your project can also be donated to charity.
Are there any restrictions for who can receive a donation?
Donations must be in the spirit of charity, with some connection to your project. While the charity does not need to be an official nonprofit or 501 (c)(3), it must not cross into personal fundraising, such as covering expenses or paying a bill.
Are pledges tax-deductible?
Pledges on Kickstarter are generally not tax-deductible. However, some projects started by or with a 501 (c)(3) organization may offer tax deductions. If so, this would be mentioned on their project page.
In these cases, Kickstarter does not provide any official documentation for your records. Any project that states their pledges are tax deductible should be able to provide the necessary information. We recommend reaching out to the creator directly for more details.
Please note: Kickstarter cannot provide advice about taxes, including how to provide receipts evidencing any tax deductibility of pledges. Creators should contact a lawyer or financial professional for any tax-related questions.
If you’re part of a nonprofit organization that’s considering using Kickstarter, we’ve outlined a few case studies and best practices over on our blog.
You can also explore how other nonprofits are using Kickstarter to bring their ideas to life.