Crowdfunder: Spark Fund
Eligibility and Pledge Criteria
Version dated: 04/08/2026
Introduction
The Crowdfunder Spark is a match funding program designed to support New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities, improve public spaces, and foster local engagement.
The Fund provides up to $2,500 in match funding per project to help eligible nonprofits achieve their crowdfunding goals. Only 8 projects will receive funding.
Eligible Organizations
To apply, organizations must:
Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or have a qualified fiscal sponsor that is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Be based in New York State (or, if fiscally sponsored, have a primary program or project based in New York State)
Be in good standing with the IRS and other relevant authorities
Have a valid EIN and a bank account in the organization's or fiscal sponsor's name
Ineligible organizations include:
For-profit entities or individuals
Organizations without EIN or bank accounts
Organizations with unresolved compliance, regulatory, or legal issues
Ineligible projects — projects that:
Benefit a named individual or private group rather than the wider community
Promote a specific religious doctrine (faith-based organizations delivering secular community services may apply)
Have already been completed or seek retrospective funding
Relate to debt repayment or deficit reduction
Documentation Required
Applicants must provide documentation verifying eligibility, including:
IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or equivalent proof of nonprofit status
Proof of New York State registration or good standing
Bank account verification
Any additional documentation requested by Crowdfunder
Crowdfunder Project Set Up
In order to be eligible to apply, your project must be set up in Crowdfunder as a "keep what you raise" or an "all or nothing" project.
Selection Process
All eligible projects will be reviewed for selection
Project owners will be notified if their application has been approved
Approved match funding offers are valid for 4 weeks from the date of notification. If your campaign is not launched within this period, the offer will be rescinded.
Selection considers equitable distribution of funding across geographic locations and types of beneficiaries
Live Match Funding Criteria
The Crowdfunder Spark Fund will provide match funding to projects accepted to the Spark Fund during their initial fundraising period as follows:
All pledges made by supporters will be matched dollar for dollar up to $250. If a project receives a pledge of $50, the Spark Fund will donate $50. If a project receives a pledge of $500, the Spark Fund will donate $250.
The maximum match funding a project can receive from the Spark Fund is $2,500
Match funding will be given on the first pledge made to a project by a supporter
Projects must reach their funding target by the end of their initial fundraising period to receive match funding
Pledges will not be matched where a project is "always on"
Your project must receive pledges from a minimum of 25 unique supporters to receive the match funding. To verify whether supporters are unique, we will take account of information including name, address, email address and payment card used.
Pledges that will not be matched:
Pledges made before a project is accepted to participate in the Fund or after a project's initial fundraising period ends
Second and any subsequent pledges to the same project by the same supporter
Pledges made by organizations to their own projects
The match fund will be distributed to 8 selected projects. Matching will stop automatically when the funds are fully allocated. Being approved for match funding does not guarantee you will receive any funding.
Additional Requirements
Project owners or the campaigning organization pledging to their own campaign is not allowed.