Kickstart $ for India Projects
By Shalini Singh

Kickstarter is a great idea to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors.  It says it is based on the premise that a good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide.  And that a large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement. The Kickstarter website raised more than $200,000 for a new Facebook open source alternative known as Diaspora.

6479 donors logged on to Kickstarter and donated $200,000 after they saw the Diaspora project plan being pitched on the website. Even the Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who may face competition from Diaspora, made a donation to his future rival.  Such is the good will at this site.

Why do people support such projects on platform Kickstarter?  According to their website it is because “Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards (products, benefits, and experiences). Kickstarter projects are efforts by real people to do something they love, something fun, or at least something of note.”

Kickstarter makes it clear that is not for soliciting donations for causes, general business expenses, or raising funds without a specific goal.

Not surprisingly, Kickstarter has a number of Indian oriented projects looking for cash. Shawn Convey and Ashley Fargnoli have already raised $11,238 of a total of $11,750 towards making a feature documentary exploring Dance Movement Therapy in Kolkata, India.  In their business plan pitch they explain that survivors of human trafficking and abuse in Kolkata, India find solace and peace from dance movement therapy. 126 donors have contributed the $11,238.

There are at least 4 other India oriented projects.

What a great idea!