What is Ignite Ole Miss? 

Ignite Ole Miss is the University of Mississippi’s crowdfunding platform for community fundraising. Crowdfunding offers our donors a way to provide support directly to the schools, programs and specific projects at the university that are most meaningful to them. Students, faculty and staff can use Ignite Ole Miss as a tool to raise money for everything from research projects and class trips to uniforms, competitions and scholarships. 

If you are interested in running an Ignite Project, review the information below, the Ignite Ole Miss Crowdfunding Policy and the Campaign Planning Guide.

How does it work? What is crowdfunding? 

You are given the technology, trained on using it, and empowered to raise funds from your own network. It is important to understand that you will be soliciting your friends, peers, family, etc. UM Development will help edit and polish your final campaign content, but you will create it. No one knows your project better than you! 

How can I apply to host a project?

Any University of Mississippi faculty member, staff member or student may apply!  Ignite Ole Miss projects must support UM’s overall mission by improving our community – on campus and beyond. Crowdfunding works best for projects and campaigns with clear and specific goals, rather than for general, unrestricted fundraising. 

You can find the Ignite Ole Miss application here.  

Ignite Ole Miss applications are due on or before the next Crowdfunding Cycle begins. (See below for dates.)

Crowdfunding Cycles 

Ignite Ole Miss projects launch in cycles: two cycles in the fall semester, two in the spring semester and one in the summer. Being a part of a crowdfunding cycle – running with other projects on the same schedule – includes benefits such as participating in group training, working through questions with your peers and driving more web traffic to the Ignite Ole Miss main page, where your project lives. Some marketing from University Development occurs during these cycles. 

Upcoming Deadlines and Dates

Summer 2022 Cycle Dates

**Please note: There is only one Summer Crowdfunding Cycle and it will be the longest cycle offered.

   Applications due:  March 21 at noon

   Planning phase: March and April 

   Training date: March 29 at 2 p.m.

   Project deliverables due to Development: May 4 at noon

   Cycle 1 Projects launch: May 18 at 9 a.m. 

   Cycle 1 Projects must conclude on or before Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. 

Fall 2022 Cycle 1 Dates

  Applications due: July 15 at noon

  Planning phase: July and August 

  Training date: July 20 at 2 p.m.

  Project deliverables due to Development: Aug. 20 at noon

  Cycle 1 Projects launch: Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.

  Cycle 1 Projects conclude on or before Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. 

Fall 2022 Cycle 2 Dates

   Applications due: Sept. 14 at noon

   Planning phase: September and October

   Training date: Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.

   Project deliverables due to Development: Oct. 20 at noon

   Cycle 2 Projects launch: Nov. 2 at 9 a.m.

   Cycle 2 Projects must conclude on or before Jan. 3 at 11:59 p.m. 

 Spring 2023 Cycle 1 Dates:

   Applications due: Nov. 9 at noon

   Planning phase: November and December

   Training date: Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

   Project deliverables due to Development: Dec. 16 at noon

   Cycle 1 Projects launch: Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. 

   Cycle 1 Projects must conclude on or before Mar. 6 at 11:59 p.m. 

Spring 2023 Cycle 2 Dates

**Please note: Only 2 to 3 applications will be chosen for the Spring 2023 Crowdfunding Cycle 2 as it coincides with our annual Giving Day, limiting our bandwidth for projects. The Spring 2023 Cycle 2 campaign length also will be slightly longer than other cycles.

   Applications due: Jan. 13 at noon

  Planning phase: January and February 

  Training date: Jan. 19 at 2 p.m.

  Project deliverables due to Development: Feb. 21 at noon

  Cycle 2 Projects launch: March 9 at 9 a.m.

Cycle 2 Projects must conclude on or before: May 11 at 11:59 p.m. 

Summer 2023 Cycle Dates

**Please note: There is only one Summer Crowdfunding Cycle and it will be the longest cycle offered.

   Applications due:  March 15 at noon

   Planning phase: March and April 

   Training date: March 22 at 2 p.m.

   Project deliverables due to Development: May 8 at noon

   Cycle 1 Projects launch: May 17 at 9 a.m. 

   Cycle 1 Projects must conclude on or before Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. 

What does it take to have a successful project?

-  A compelling story with a 1- to 2-minute video that clearly illustrates your need

-  Reaching out to a large network of friends for support

-  A creative communication plan that reaches beyond UM alumni and friends (such as informing industry bloggers or publications)

- Investing time and effort into planning, launching and fundraising for your campaign

-  A team of 3 to 6 campaign team members who will help you fundraise

 What will NOT be considered for a Ole Miss Ignite project?

-  Faculty or staff salaries

-  Building campaigns

-  Money for tuition

Note: Ignite Ole Miss is not an incubator and will not accept projects created with the purpose of raising profits.

 Are there fees associated with Ignite Ole Miss?

Ignite Ole Miss projects may be subject to a modest fee that supports the maintenance and development of the crowdfunding website. The Annual Giving team will help you build this into the goals. 

How does the selection process work?

Once a project is submitted, the Ignite Campaign Committee members may follow up with the project leader if they have additional questions about an application. The Ignite Campaign Committee reviews applications for each crowdfunding cycle after the application due dates and reaches out to the project owners with the committee’s decision. The Annual Giving team provides a comprehensive training for selected projects and ongoing consultation to all participants throughout the campaign.

How will people learn about my project on Ignite Ole Miss?

Crowdfunding relies on personal networking – your best supporters love Ole Miss, but they really love you and your project. Crowdfunding is a peer-to-peer solicitation rather than an institutional solicitation. Use your personal, group, department or team’s email lists, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, LinkedIn groups, etc. to promote your project. It’s best to bring your own “crowd.” 

How much can I expect to raise through Ignite Ole Miss?

Typical crowdfunding projects attract between $2,000 and $10,000. Of course, this number will depend entirely on the size of your potential donor pool, your personal contacts and the amount of personal effort devoted to the project. It is best to set modest, attainable and realistic goals – and transcend them. Your donors will be inspired to support a project if it reflects success and momentum.

How will contributions be used?

Contributions are directed to further the stated purpose(s) of the relevant Ignite Ole Miss campaign including direct program costs, necessary supplies and related expenses such as marketing and fundraising efforts.

How much time will it take to create and manage a project through Ignite Ole Miss?

Project campaigns run for 30 to 45 days, but plan on your project requiring about 6 weeks of work before and after the campaign. The project creator will need to provide updates and remain actively engaged (new videos, such social media postings on Twitter and Facebook, campus events and email). 

Who manages the Ignite Ole Miss platform?

The University of Mississippi

Office of Development

Annual Giving DivisionCarriage House406 University Ave.Oxford, MS 38655

Contact Us

Email: ignite@olemiss.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleMissGives

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OleMissGives

If you have questions:

Angela Atkins

Digital Giving Officer

(662) 915-2755

 adm1@olemiss.edu