Funding Fun! With a Side of '80s Croquet

First, this is why it has taken me so long to get to blogging tonight:

I was Photoshopping this picture for an Aloha '80s-themed party I will be co-hosting this weekend. I'm not sorry I created this pic  in the least, and only the slightest bit sorry it distracted me for so long. (If you were wondering -- I'll be bringing the croquet set.)

As for what this post is really about: My obsession with all things IndieGoGo, Profounder, and Kickstarter. These online crowdsourcing platforms let anyone fund whatever awesome creative project they want. I know businesses/organizations that have benefited from all three:

(Interisland Terminal's R&D concept, as featured on IndieGoGo)

1. IndieGoGo recently helped Hawaii nonprofit Interisland Terminal, in turn sponsored by nonprofit Fractured Atlas, raise nearly three times its goal to build R&D, a much needed creative space/resource for people in Honolulu. I'm pretty stoked on this concept, since I'll certainly take advantage of it. (And yes, I pledged!)

(Proof's potential new line of sunglasses, as featured on its Kickstarter page)

2. I must know more companies/organizations/people that have taken advantage of Kickstarter, but sunglasses company Proof is for sure using it to raise funds to kick off its newest line of sunglasses.

(House of Pure Aloha shave ice, via kaleo.org)

(Proud Mary's lovely styled take on its pillows)

3. Proud Mary and House of Pure Aloha (shave ice that does good????? Can I add enough "awesomeness" question marks?) both used Profounder to find the funds to kick off or further expand their companies.

What's great about these is that, in times of a super shady economy and banks' tight controls on small-business lending, these resources allow entrepreneurs and do-gooders to keep on keepin' on. And not only that, but they can avoid owing as much to big banks or get funding they may not have had access to at all.

Plus, most organizations offer some sort of reward for pledges, from stickers to vouchers to public recognition. It's an interesting take on traditional fundraising, and one that sparks a great conversation (and helps fund great ideas!).

I'd love to hear what anyone has helped fund, or any further thoughts/ideas on the concept.

(PS If you're lucky, there may be thrifting shots from my Aloha 80s Croquet Party costume hunt up soon!)