Uncovering the Best Citizinvestor Alternatives for Your Crowdfunding Needs
Citizinvestor, a pioneering American-based civic crowdfunding website, has made a significant impact by empowering citizens to fund local government projects, from purchasing iPads for blind students to fostering community engagement. Founded by Jordan Raynor, Tony De Sisto, and Erik Rapprich, Citizinvestor stands out for its tax-deductible donations, a no-charge policy for unmet funding targets, and a focus on micro-projects between $10,000 and $20,000. However, its specific niche (municipal projects only) and fee structure (5% plus 3% for Amazon payment processing) might lead some to seek a Citizinvestor alternative better suited to their broader or more specific crowdfunding goals. This article explores several top alternatives that offer diverse features and platforms for your next project.
Top Citizinvestor Alternatives
Whether you're looking for broader project categories, different fee structures, or more robust community features, these alternatives to Citizinvestor provide compelling options for various crowdfunding endeavors.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is a renowned commercial crowdfunding platform ideal for funding creative projects across various categories like film, music, art, and technology. Unlike Citizinvestor's focus on civic projects, Kickstarter's broad scope makes it a versatile Citizinvestor alternative for creative individuals and teams. It's available on Web and iPhone, offering a robust platform for diverse funding needs.
SelfStarter
SelfStarter is an excellent open-source Citizinvestor alternative for those who prefer to host and customize their crowdfunding site. It's free and open-source, runnable on Mac, Windows, Linux, and self-hosted web environments. Utilizing Ruby and JavaScript, SelfStarter empowers users to build a crowdfunding platform tailored to their exact specifications, offering flexibility that a pre-built solution like Citizinvestor cannot.
mintMe
mintMe revolutionizes crowdfunding by allowing both project creators and supporters to earn through token creation and trading. This free, web-based platform offers features like blockchain integration, cryptocurrency support (including Bitcoin), and an exchange for trading tokens. It presents a unique Citizinvestor alternative for projects looking to leverage cryptocurrency and a more dynamic earning model beyond traditional donations.
Crowd Supply
Crowd Supply is a free, open-source, and web-based crowdfunding platform that distinguishes itself by vetting products for originality, usefulness, feasibility, and commitment to user rights. While Citizinvestor focuses on civic projects, Crowd Supply is an ideal Citizinvestor alternative for hardware and tech projects, emphasizing transparency and user trust in the crowdfunding process.
Donor Tools
Donor Tools is a commercial nonprofit donor database designed to help charities, churches, and growing organizations manage donations and raise more money. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, it's a powerful Citizinvestor alternative for organizations focused specifically on donation management and fundraising, rather than broad project crowdfunding, offering robust tools for smarter decision-making.
Crowdsourcer.io
Crowdsourcer.io is a free, web-based platform that allows contributors to create or join software-related projects, build contributions, and earn income. As a Citizinvestor alternative, it offers a distinct focus on software development and crowdsourcing, providing a specialized environment for tech-driven projects and collaborations, complete with developer tools and a web-based interface.
Designbook
Designbook is a free, web-based platform for startup founders to find passionate collaborators and investors. It functions as a social network for startups and offers crowdfunding capabilities, making it a compelling Citizinvestor alternative for entrepreneurial ventures seeking not just funding but also a community and co-founders.
CircleUp
CircleUp is a commercial, web-based leader in equity-based crowdfunding, specifically focusing on angel investments in consumer products companies. For those looking for a Citizinvestor alternative that offers equity funding for business growth rather than civic donations, CircleUp provides a sophisticated platform for securing significant investment in the consumer sector.
UrbanKIT
UrbanKIT is a free, web-based crowdfunding platform (also available on Mac, Windows, and Linux) where individuals and communities can pitch ideas and win funding for physical neighborhood improvements. Similar to Citizinvestor's civic focus but with broader accessibility, UrbanKIT serves as an excellent Citizinvestor alternative for grassroots community projects aimed at tangible local enhancements.
Revv Online Fundraising Platform
Revv is a commercial, web-based fundraising platform designed to help organizations raise more money through powerful donation maximization features like marketing automation and up-sells. While Citizinvestor focuses on specific civic projects, Revv offers a comprehensive fundraising solution for a wider array of organizations, making it a robust Citizinvestor alternative for those prioritizing advanced fundraising tools and donation optimization.
Ultimately, the best Citizinvestor alternative depends on your specific project, funding goals, and desired platform features. From creative endeavors on Kickstarter to self-hosted solutions with SelfStarter, or even blockchain-based funding with mintMe, there's a crowdfunding platform suited for nearly every need. We encourage you to explore these options and select the one that best aligns with your vision for bringing your project to life.