Mo' Money: Crowdfunding in the Black Community

LeVar Burton earns more than $1 million in less than a day.

Your Employer May Match You - This has become less popular as the economy has been slowly recovering, but sometimes your employer may match the money you put into your 401K. If so, invest as much as you can, because this is free money. (Photo: Don Bayley/Getty Images)

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Black Crowdfunding - Crowdfunding, the collective effort of online fundraising, has grown popular in the last year, especially in the African-American community. College students, filmmakers and non-profit organizations are turning to sites such as Kickstarter, Crowd Tilt, Black Crowdfunding, Black Start-Up and Indiegogo to help raise funds to support their dreams.  Take a look at a few crowdfunding campaigns that sparked interest among African-Americans.(Photo: Don Bayley/Getty Images)

Reading Rainbow - In less than one day, LeVar Burton's Reading Rainbow campaign reached its seven-figure goal after recieving more than $1 million from nearly 23,000 people. The funds will help turn millions of children worldwide into lifelong readers by creating a web version of the cult classic TV show, a classroom version for teachers and offering free access to schools.(Photo: Reading Rainbow)

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Reading Rainbow - In less than one day, LeVar Burton's Reading Rainbow campaign reached its seven-figure goal after recieving more than $1 million from nearly 23,000 people. The funds will help turn millions of children worldwide into lifelong readers by creating a web version of the cult classic TV show, a classroom version for teachers and offering free access to schools.(Photo: Reading Rainbow)

New Spike Lee Joint - With the help of friends, fans and organizations, filmmaker Spike Lee raised $1.4 million in 30 days with Kickstarter to fund his forthcoming film. While Lee faced criticism for asking fans to contribute to his film budget, he defended his project, saying that donors would get perks based on the amount donated, including dinner and courtside Knicks tickets.(Photo: Spike Lee via KickStarter)

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New Spike Lee Joint - With the help of friends, fans and organizations, filmmaker Spike Lee raised $1.4 million in 30 days with Kickstarter to fund his forthcoming film. While Lee faced criticism for asking fans to contribute to his film budget, he defended his project, saying that donors would get perks based on the amount donated, including dinner and courtside Knicks tickets.(Photo: Spike Lee via KickStarter)

Photo By Photo: Spike Lee via KickStarter

Homeless to Howard - James Ward became an Internet sensation for his “Homeless to Howard” Tumblr crowdfunding campaign. He used the site to help fund his college education at Howard University. Ward raised $12,000 from various donors, which is enough to cover his first-year expenses that aren’t covered by loans or grants.(Photo: Homelesstohoward.tumblr.com)

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Homeless to Howard - James Ward became an Internet sensation for his “Homeless to Howard” Tumblr crowdfunding campaign. He used the site to help fund his college education at Howard University. Ward raised $12,000 from various donors, which is enough to cover his first-year expenses that aren’t covered by loans or grants.(Photo: Homelesstohoward.tumblr.com)

The Bounce Back - Actor Shemar Moore launched a Kickstarter in May 2013 to raise $1.5 million for his new film, The Bounce Back. However, Moore canceled the fundraiser in July when he failed to meet Kickstarter goals. He relaunched his campaign on Indiegogo and exceeded his $500,000 goal and raised $638,483.(Photo: The Bounce Back via Indiegogo)

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The Bounce Back - Actor Shemar Moore launched a Kickstarter in May 2013 to raise $1.5 million for his new film, The Bounce Back. However, Moore canceled the fundraiser in July when he failed to meet Kickstarter goals. He relaunched his campaign on Indiegogo and exceeded his $500,000 goal and raised $638,483.(Photo: The Bounce Back via Indiegogo)

Photo By Photo: The Bounce Back via Indiegogo

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Uncle Ruckus - Aaron McGruder, the creator of the hit cartoon The Boondocks, used Kickstarter in January 2013 to help fund his new film, Uncle Ruckus.  Over three months, McGruder raised $129,943 of $200,000 from 2,667 donors. But since he didn’t reach his goal, he didn’t receive any of the money.(Photo: Aaron McGruder via Kickstarter)

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Uncle Ruckus - Aaron McGruder, the creator of the hit cartoon The Boondocks, used Kickstarter in January 2013 to help fund his new film, Uncle Ruckus.  Over three months, McGruder raised $129,943 of $200,000 from 2,667 donors. But since he didn’t reach his goal, he didn’t receive any of the money.(Photo: Aaron McGruder via Kickstarter)

Black Girls Code Receives Google Support - Since 2011 Black Girls Code has been working to bridge the digital divide by bringing the opportunity of careers in tech and innovation to those who have been most excluded. This year Google pledged $190K to further this much needed initiative. (Photo: Black Girls CODE)

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Black Girls CODE - Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators, raised $100,000 July 2013 using Indiegogo. The funds were to help minority girls learn computer programing, earn student scholarships and to pay for laptops and instructor stipends.(Photo: Black Girls CODE)

Photo By Photo: Black Girls CODE

Make Music Count - Marcus Blackwell Jr. started Make Music Count via Black Startup, the first crowdfunding site dedicated to the African-American community. Blackwell met his goal, raising $930 from 25 donors for his Make Music Count lesson plan, which is designed to help students excel in mathematics via music.(Photo: Make Music Count)

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Make Music Count - Marcus Blackwell Jr. started Make Music Count via Black Startup, the first crowdfunding site dedicated to the African-American community. Blackwell met his goal, raising $930 from 25 donors for his Make Music Count lesson plan, which is designed to help students excel in mathematics via music.(Photo: Make Music Count)

Photo By Photo: Make Music Count

A Journey With Ja'briel - Transgender activist Ja’briel Walthour used Indiegogo in May 2013 to raise funds for a transgender surgery and transgender-themed children’s book. Walthour was only able to raise $3,075 out of his goal of $25,000 before the two-month long campaign ended.(Photo: Ja'Briel Walthour via Indiegogo)

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A Journey With Ja'briel - Transgender activist Ja’briel Walthour used Indiegogo in May 2013 to raise funds for a transgender surgery and transgender-themed children’s book. Walthour was only able to raise $3,075 out of his goal of $25,000 before the two-month long campaign ended.(Photo: Ja'Briel Walthour via Indiegogo)

Nas Helps Single Father - Rapper Nas launched a crowdfunding campaign in August 2013 with Crowd Tilt in honor of Stanley Young, a single father who lost his home in a fire. Nas’ campaign exceeded its $50,000 goal, raising $64,962 for Young and his eight children.(Photo: Nas via Crowd Tilt)

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Nas Helps Single Father - Rapper Nas launched a crowdfunding campaign in August 2013 with Crowd Tilt in honor of Stanley Young, a single father who lost his home in a fire. Nas’ campaign exceeded its $50,000 goal, raising $64,962 for Young and his eight children.(Photo: Nas via Crowd Tilt)

Charles Junction Community Gardens - Child-welfare advocate, author and activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes launched the Charles Junction Community Gardens crowdfunding campaign with Black Crowdfunding. The campaign is designed to encourage families to grow and produce their own food. With more than 40 days left until the campaign ends, Hughes has raised $150 out of her $5,000 goal.(Photo: Charles Junction Community Gardens via Black Crowdfunding)

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Charles Junction Community Gardens - Child-welfare advocate, author and activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes launched the Charles Junction Community Gardens crowdfunding campaign with Black Crowdfunding. The campaign is designed to encourage families to grow and produce their own food. With more than 40 days left until the campaign ends, Hughes has raised $150 out of her $5,000 goal.(Photo: Charles Junction Community Gardens via Black Crowdfunding)