Your Grandmother Crowdfunded Better Than You!
By: Alex Shipley on | Comments: 0When most people hear the word "crowdfunding," they probably think of modern websites and online platforms like GiveSendGo, where people can raise money for the people and causes that matter most to them. But what if we told you that crowdfunding isn't a new phenomenon? In fact, it's been around for centuries — long before the internet even existed!
Here’s a look at the surprising history of crowdfunding and how it’s evolved into the powerful tool for generosity and sharing hope that we know today.
1. The Statue of Liberty Was Funded Through Crowdfunding
That’s right — one of the most iconic symbols of freedom in the world was crowdfunded! In 1885, the Statue of Liberty was ready to be shipped from France to New York City, but there was a problem: the U.S. government didn’t have enough money to build the pedestal for it.
Enter Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper publisher who used his newspaper, The New York World, to call on everyday Americans to contribute funds. Over 120,000 people donated small amounts of money (many under $1) to help build the pedestal. Thanks to this grassroots effort, Lady Liberty found her home in New York Harbor, and the world witnessed one of the earliest examples of successful crowdfunding.
2. Artists Have Been "Crowdfunding" Patrons for Centuries
Long before platforms like GiveSendGo, artists, writers, and musicians relied on "patronage" — a fancy term for crowdfunding in the olden days. Wealthy patrons, like kings, queens, and noble families, would fund artists in exchange for works of art, music, or literature.
But it wasn’t always just the wealthy who provided support. In 17th- and 18th-century Europe, writers and composers would often pre-sell their works to "subscribers." Essentially, people would pay upfront for a book, opera, or piece of music, and their names would be listed as "subscribers" in the final work. Sound familiar? It’s not all that different from modern crowdfunding, where some givers support a project in exchange for perks, early access, or recognition.
3. War Bonds: Community Funding on a National Scale
During both World Wars, countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. issued "war bonds" to their citizens. Citizens would "invest" their money to help fund the war effort, with the promise of repayment with interest. While technically an investment, the emotional appeal of supporting a cause bigger than oneself drew millions of everyday people to participate.
Governments marketed war bonds as an act of patriotism and solidarity — a way for people to feel like they were part of something bigger. This is similar to the emotional connection we feel when supporting someone’s GiveSendGo campaign. Back then, they had posters and rallies; today, we have emails, events, and social media posts. But the heart behind it is the same.
4. Community Chests and "Whip-Rounds"
If you’ve ever seen the Community Chest cards in Monopoly, you’ve stumbled upon another historical reference to crowdfunding. Community chests were literal collections of money used to support local community needs. These chests, managed by towns or local organizations, would distribute funds to help people facing financial hardship.
A similar idea was found in "whip-rounds" (a British term) where coworkers or community members would "whip around" a collection for someone in need. Whether it was gathering money for a coworker’s retirement gift or supporting a family that had suffered a loss, these small acts of collective giving have always been part of our human story.
5. Early "Subscriptions" for Print Media and Books
Before printing presses became efficient enough to mass-produce books, authors would "crowdfund" their work by getting subscribers to pay for the book before it was even written. The author would use the funds to cover the cost of printing and paper. As a thank-you, subscribers’ names would often be printed at the front of the book.
This is eerily similar to modern crowdfunding, where donors of a project get early access or special credit. In fact, if you’ve ever seen a GiveSendGo campaign where givers’ names are publicly listed as supporters, you’re witnessing a modern take on an age-old practice.
Crowdfunding Today: A New Era of Generosity
While the methods and platforms have changed, the spirit of crowdfunding remains the same: people coming together to support something bigger than themselves. Today, platforms like GiveSendGo make it easier than ever for anyone to raise money for emergencies, projects, dreams, and any other causes that matter. No longer limited to artists, writers, and governments, crowdfunding has become a way for everyday people to make a difference.
With modern technology, anyone with a dream, a cause, or a crisis can now create a campaign and invite friends, family, and even strangers to join them. It's never been more accessible, and the impact is bigger than ever.
What Will You Crowdfund for in 2025?
The power of crowdfunding is older than you think, but its potential is bigger than ever. If people in the 1800s could fund a giant statue or help a writer publish their book, imagine what you can do on GiveSendGo today.
Whether it’s supporting a family in crisis, funding a community project, or helping someone fulfill a dream, crowdfunding in 2025 could be the year you make a lasting impact. So, what’s your big idea? What story will you tell? And most importantly, what will you fundraise for in 2025?
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Here’s a look at the surprising history of crowdfunding and how it’s evolved into the powerful tool for generosity and sharing hope that we know today.
1. The Statue of Liberty Was Funded Through Crowdfunding
That’s right — one of the most iconic symbols of freedom in the world was crowdfunded! In 1885, the Statue of Liberty was ready to be shipped from France to New York City, but there was a problem: the U.S. government didn’t have enough money to build the pedestal for it.
Enter Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper publisher who used his newspaper, The New York World, to call on everyday Americans to contribute funds. Over 120,000 people donated small amounts of money (many under $1) to help build the pedestal. Thanks to this grassroots effort, Lady Liberty found her home in New York Harbor, and the world witnessed one of the earliest examples of successful crowdfunding.
2. Artists Have Been "Crowdfunding" Patrons for Centuries
Long before platforms like GiveSendGo, artists, writers, and musicians relied on "patronage" — a fancy term for crowdfunding in the olden days. Wealthy patrons, like kings, queens, and noble families, would fund artists in exchange for works of art, music, or literature.
But it wasn’t always just the wealthy who provided support. In 17th- and 18th-century Europe, writers and composers would often pre-sell their works to "subscribers." Essentially, people would pay upfront for a book, opera, or piece of music, and their names would be listed as "subscribers" in the final work. Sound familiar? It’s not all that different from modern crowdfunding, where some givers support a project in exchange for perks, early access, or recognition.
3. War Bonds: Community Funding on a National Scale
During both World Wars, countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. issued "war bonds" to their citizens. Citizens would "invest" their money to help fund the war effort, with the promise of repayment with interest. While technically an investment, the emotional appeal of supporting a cause bigger than oneself drew millions of everyday people to participate.
Governments marketed war bonds as an act of patriotism and solidarity — a way for people to feel like they were part of something bigger. This is similar to the emotional connection we feel when supporting someone’s GiveSendGo campaign. Back then, they had posters and rallies; today, we have emails, events, and social media posts. But the heart behind it is the same.
4. Community Chests and "Whip-Rounds"
If you’ve ever seen the Community Chest cards in Monopoly, you’ve stumbled upon another historical reference to crowdfunding. Community chests were literal collections of money used to support local community needs. These chests, managed by towns or local organizations, would distribute funds to help people facing financial hardship.
A similar idea was found in "whip-rounds" (a British term) where coworkers or community members would "whip around" a collection for someone in need. Whether it was gathering money for a coworker’s retirement gift or supporting a family that had suffered a loss, these small acts of collective giving have always been part of our human story.
5. Early "Subscriptions" for Print Media and Books
Before printing presses became efficient enough to mass-produce books, authors would "crowdfund" their work by getting subscribers to pay for the book before it was even written. The author would use the funds to cover the cost of printing and paper. As a thank-you, subscribers’ names would often be printed at the front of the book.
This is eerily similar to modern crowdfunding, where donors of a project get early access or special credit. In fact, if you’ve ever seen a GiveSendGo campaign where givers’ names are publicly listed as supporters, you’re witnessing a modern take on an age-old practice.
Crowdfunding Today: A New Era of Generosity
While the methods and platforms have changed, the spirit of crowdfunding remains the same: people coming together to support something bigger than themselves. Today, platforms like GiveSendGo make it easier than ever for anyone to raise money for emergencies, projects, dreams, and any other causes that matter. No longer limited to artists, writers, and governments, crowdfunding has become a way for everyday people to make a difference.
With modern technology, anyone with a dream, a cause, or a crisis can now create a campaign and invite friends, family, and even strangers to join them. It's never been more accessible, and the impact is bigger than ever.
What Will You Crowdfund for in 2025?
The power of crowdfunding is older than you think, but its potential is bigger than ever. If people in the 1800s could fund a giant statue or help a writer publish their book, imagine what you can do on GiveSendGo today.
Whether it’s supporting a family in crisis, funding a community project, or helping someone fulfill a dream, crowdfunding in 2025 could be the year you make a lasting impact. So, what’s your big idea? What story will you tell? And most importantly, what will you fundraise for in 2025?
