FAQ

Crowdfunding is a relatively new internet-based fundraising tool that allows you to pitch your project to thousands of individual donors you wouldn’t normally have access to using more traditional fundraising methods. Basically it’s the social media version of fundraising.

Why should I consider crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a great way to raise funds to support your project, but it also raises public awareness, mobilizes communities and expands audiences. Any fundraising project in your community would achieve that, but with crowdfunding, the world is your community. Anyone with Internet access and an interest in your project can support you, regardless of where they live.

Why should I crowdfund on This Place Matters?

There are several crowdfunding sites in Canada, but This Place Matters is the only one dedicated to heritage projects. On other crowdfunding sites, you’re on your own with only your networks and resources to rely on. The National Trust will be promoting This Place Matters which allows you to tap into a national network of people who are interested in heritage preservation – exactly the demographic you need to reach. The National Trust wants your project to succeed and offers resources to help you plan and execute an effective crowdfunding campaign.

What does it cost to do a crowdfunding campaign?

One of the great advantages of crowdfunding is that there is little or no cost to do a campaign. There is no fee to register a project on This Place Matters. The National Trust offers this site as a not-for-profit resource for community groups working to save places that matter. The only cost to you is an 8% administrative fee we deduct from the funds you raise to cover the cost of credit card transaction fees and to offset the costs of administering funds and maintaining the website.

How do I get started?

Visit thisplacematters.ca. Check the Eligibility Requirements to be sure your project qualifies. Read our Tips for Gearing up for a Successful Crowding Campaign before you get started. Review the Rules & Regulations.

What tools are available to help our project succeed?

Visit the Resources section to access tools Project Success Kit, the join our “Getting Ready To Crowdfund” webinar and This Place Matters graphics and images you can download for your website and social media.

What does the National Trust do to promote our project?

The National Trust promotes This Place Matters to its national networks through Twitter, Facebook and our magazine Locale. We also will tweet twice about your project during the course of your campaign

What is a crowdfunding goal?

The crowdfunding goal is the amount your group hopes to raise from funders who support your project on This Place Matters. It does not represent the total cost of your project.

What if our project exceeds its goal?

Since your crowdfunding goal does not represent the total cost of your project, we think it would be great if you exceed it! And, unlike some other crowdfunding sites there is no penalty assessed if you don’t reach your goal.

Can we download the This Place Matters logo?

Yes! In our Resources section you’ll find the logo and other graphics and images you can download and share on your website and in your social media.

Anything else we should know?

Yes! Read the Rules & Regulations. They contain important information about how This Place Matters is administered.

How are the funds administered?

Funds contributed to projects on This Place Matters are held in trust by the National Trust for Canada, and sent to the community group at the completion of their crowdfunding campaign.

Will I get a tax receipt?

If you make a contribution to a project and the project group is a registered charity, the National Trust will issue a charitable tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. The National Trust for Canada is a registered charitable organization [Charitable Registration #119237477 RR0001].

How will my personal information be handled?

The National Trust for Canada respects your privacy and your personal information. Our Privacy Notice helps you understand what personal information we collect, how we use it and what choices you have.

What is the 2017 This Place Matters competition?

The 2017 This Place Matters competition is a national initiative that is designed to fuel local projects that bring together community partners and community members, especially youth, to improve the vitality of Canada’s main streets.

How long does the competition run?

The competition runs from June 15 2017 to July 20 2017

What are the cash prizes?


	BIG PROJECTS	SMALL PROJECTS
NATIONAL PRIZE	$60,000 (1 available)	$30,000 (1 available)
1^ST PLACE REGIONAL PRIZE (WEST, CENTRAL & EAST)	$30,000 (3 available)	$15,000 (2 available)
COMMUNITY BUILDER PRIZE	$10,000

How are the prizes awarded?

The prizes will be distributed to the project with the highest number of votes in each category.

How do I submit a project?

Visit thisplacematters.ca. Check the competition Submission requirements to be sure your project qualifies, then complete the Project Idea Form and submit your application. Make sure you have included all the information and supporting materials required.

How many projects will be accepted in the competition?

There will be up to 10 projects selected for each of the prize categories.

How will the final competition projects be selected?

National Trust staff will first review all project to ensure that the Eligibility Criteria are met.

When will we be notified if we are accepted for the competition?

Project ideas will be accepted until May 18, 2017. Project groups will be notified if they have been selected to participate in the 2017 This Place Matters competition by June 1st, 2017 at 5 PM ET.

How often can people vote?

People may cast one vote per project per day. You must enter your email address to be able to vote. Voting is based on a 24 hour clock (e.g. if you vote at 8:00 am, you may not cast another vote until 8:00 am the following day).

Is there any cost for voting?

There is no cost or obligation when voting, but we hope voters will also choose to contribute funds to their favourite projects and help save places that matter. In addition, project groups will receive one additional vote for every dollar raised through crowdfunding.

Can we crowdfund to support our project throughout the competition?

Yes! A key component of the competition is providing community groups the opportunity to raise funds to support their projects.

What is a crowdfunding goal?

The crowdfunding goal is the amount your group hopes to raise from funders who support your project during the competition. It does not represent the total cost of your project and it does not include any cash prize your project hopes to win.

What if our project exceeds our goal?

Since your crowdfunding goal does not represent the total cost of your project, we think it would be great if you exceed it! And, unlike with other crowdfunding sites, there is no penalty assessed if you don’t reach your goal.

Is there any cost to community groups participating in the competition?

There is no up-front cost to participate in the competition, however, the National Trust will retain 8% of all contributions to cover the cost of credit card transaction fees and to offset the costs of administering funds and maintaining the website.

Anything else we should know?

Read the Rules & Regulations. They contain important information about how the competition is administered.

Why can’t I upload my thumbnail photo?

Check the file size. Thumbnail photos should be 255 pixels wide and 140 pixels tall. If your photo is too big, you can resize it using a program like Microsoft Paint, on Windows systems, or Preview, on a Mac.

How do I change the images on my project page?

Log in to edit your project page and scroll down to the Project Images section. Here, you can delete and upload new images for your project thumbnail and for your main project image.

How do I add a video to my project page?

This Place Matters uses YouTube to share videos. To add a video to your project page, you’ll need to create a YouTube account and upload your video. Learn how to get started on YouTube here.

Once you’ve uploaded your video to YouTube, log in to edit your project page on the This Place Matters website and scroll down to the Project Details section. Paste your video’s URL into the field marked “YouTube URL,” then save your changes.

How do I post images to my project page’s gallery?

This Place Matters uses Flickr to share photos in your gallery. To add photos to your gallery, you’ll need to create a Flickr account. Learn how to get started on Flickr here.

Once you’ve created your Flickr account, click the upload icon in the top right corner of your page and add your photos. Next, click on Add to Album in the left sidebar. You’ll be able to add your photos to an existing album or create a new album. When you’re done, click the upload photos button in the top right corner of the page.

After uploading your photos, you’ll be taken to your photo stream. Click on Albums to see a list of your Flickr albums. Click on the album you want to share and copy the URL.

Now, log in to edit your project page on the This Place Matters website and scroll down to the Tabs A section, where you’ll find the Flickr Set URL field. Enter the URL of your Flickr album into the field and save your changes. Any photos you add to this Flickr album will now be automatically posted to your gallery.

Where can find out who contributed to my project?

Log in to your project page and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Here, you’ll see a section called Export Project Data. Enter a date range and click the Download CSV file. In the file, you’ll see a list of contributions to your project.

Why can’t I see the names of people who have contributed to my project?

When you export your project data, you will only be able to see the names and contact information of people who have consented to have their information released to you.