Photo Credit: Francis Omondi
By ACNS staff
Anglicans are turning to crowdfunding websites in the hope that lots of people giving small amounts will help them raise much-needed funding.
Using sites such as gofundme.com and youcaring.com appears to be the latest way for cash-strapped clergy to reach out to potential donors. The more traditional sources of funding include grant-making bodies, individual donors, partner churches or charities.
But Anglicans in Tanzania and Kenya say that have seen the power of crowdfunding to raise large sums of money from people around the world who care about a cause or product, and so are trying it out.
Anti-slavery centre
When Zanzibar’s Anglican diocese were told its cathedral needed urgent repairs it decided the restoration project should include a Heritage Centre to teach visitors about the horrors of slavery – past and present* – and how they can prevent it.
Church Church Cathedral – one of the most prominent examples of early Christian architecture in East Africa – was built over the biggest slave market of Zanzibar. The altar is where the main "whipping post" of the market used to be.
Zanzibar was a major slave trading post in the 19th century
Credit: Janice Price
Up against a deadline
The diocese has the chance of a $1million grant from the World Monuments Fund to pay for much of the project, but first it has to raise 20% of that amount by October to receive the full amount.
Faith Kibeki, the diocese’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said that while they have secured some money towards the total cost of the project, there is still a good amount to raise, hence gofundme.com.
“We decided to use crowdfunding to be able to reach a wider pool of donors and we have seen the kind of success that gofundme has had with other people,” she said.
Ms Kibeki added that the centre would not only “help bridge social and ethnic divides and promote tolerance, reconciliation and an inclusive society” in Tanzania and boost the tourist economy which would, in turn, tackle poverty.
Crowdfighting cancer
Since December 2013, the Revd Canon Francis Omondi had been experiencing stomach problems. A priest with the Anglican Church of Kenya actively involved with aid and advocacy work in Kenya and DR Congo, Canon Omondi was too busy to address the problem.
In July he went for tests which revealed bad news. “I had a monster inside my belly” he said. A colonoscopy revealed a large cancerous growth in his colon. Dr Marc Erickson Jr., a good friend and surgeon in Wisconsin, arranged for him to have surgery in the US, but the cost of airfare, accommodation plus medical and professional fees totalled almost $50,000.
The surgery was successful and Canon Omondi is cancer free, and donations and generous discounts in the cost of medical bills means that he only has $9,000 to raise to cover his bills. Knowing the Canon has friends across the Anglican Communion, fellow priest Paul Tshihamba, Pastor of Mission at Christ Presbyterian Church, Minnesota, turned to youcaring.com to raise the outstanding amount.
"I have witnessed other occasions when this type of effort has been very effective," he said. "The power of networking can be very effective (if the right person is administering the site).
In addition, I wanted to reach his network of friends, who would in turn share it with their circles, and so on."
Francis Omondi with his surgeon Dr Marc Erickson
Credit: Francis Omondi
It just makes sense
Director for Mission at the Anglican Communion Office John Kafwanka said that, in a Communion of 85 million people, crowdfunding makes sense.
“Anglicans are involved in many amazing ministries across the world in God’s name, and almost all of them require funding,” said Mr Kafwanka. “Certainly crowdfunding could be another way for Anglican brothers and sisters worldwide to share what God has given them with each other for the building up of the Kingdom. Sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter have shown that people are happy to give small amounts to projects they want to see realised.
“The Bible says the early believers shared everything in common. Crowdfunding sites mean we can do this with more brothers and sisters worldwide than first Century Christians could ever have imagined. Take these cases for example, it would only take 89,000 people donating $1 each to reach the combine total required; just 500 people willing to give less than $180 each would help tackle slavery and cancer.”
However, the Revd Kafwanka did add a note of caution: “Those appealing for funds have a responsibility to ensure they provide sufficient information and ongoing progress updates about their project. And that they can demonstrate that the money will be spent for the intended purpose.
Meanwhile those who choose to support them should ensure they are sure that the money will be spent wisely before they donate. At the end of the day, we are stewards of God’s resources and so it’s about mutual responsibility and accountability,” he said.
Notes