Soul Source Foundation aims to help women, girls and their families in rural Kenyan villages through women’s empowerment and access to education. They provide training for women’s groups in Western Kenya in villages around Lake Victoria, groups in Busia and around Nairobi. Their teachings focus on the seven areas of life: relationships, sexuality, money, work, body, emotions, and spirituality. The program works to empower young girls to stay in school through their secondary education and potentially impact the poverty cycle that is part of their community history.

This is their second year in using FundRazr to raise money for the 2015 budget of the foundation. The money helps them train a team of women’s empowerment trainers who go around to community groups in the area to train women how to take control of their lives and destinies. $200 provides a student with a scholarship, and the goal is 40 scholarships in 2015. I spoke with Matt Peterson about their annual crowdfunding activity and building a worldwide community of support.

Why did you decide to turn to crowdfunding?

Social media is where we live and work and hang out. It is a much better way to get out the word. It also doesn’t have hard and fast dates. If you can’t attend our gala or event, how can we get you to give? Crowdfunding.

How did you initially promote your campaign and create a community of support?

Email, Facebook, Twitter, and word of mouth. People who have given know who we are. We are mostly tapping into the end of year giving of our regulars. We are also hoping to expand.

What has been a challenge you faced while crowdfunding?

If you are crowdfunding it is easy to get people to like or share your status. People like you and your cause and share it. Since I can track who gives I have noticed that a lot of people share and like but don’t give. As far as crowdfunding and our organization, there are lots of folks that give who are either not on Facebook ideologically. Your platform nails social media…but we have to find them in other ways.

What has been the highlight of your crowdfunding experience?

#GivingTuesday was fun. People got into it.

Do you have any advice for others who want to start crowdfunding?

Donors are unlikely to appear out of nowhere. You have to test the waters and see if there are folks willing to give. Folks who are interested in your cause, matching donations, updates and acting like a crazy person draw attention and get people to give. We are hopeful to make our goal, but we still aren’t sure. Last year was great. Hoping for a repeat of this year.

Click Here to learn more about the Soul Source Foundation and sponsor a women’s scholarship.