Civic Crowdfunding: Four Perspectives on the Definition of Civic Crowdfunding

Abstract

Civic Crowdfunding describes campaigns which aim to create a semi-public good. Unlike other crowdfunding practices, civic crowdfunding creates benefits for people outside of the group of supporters as well. This chapter analyses the literature on civic crowdfunding and proposes to view this increasing field of practice through four perspectives: the project, the supporter, the project owner, and the platform. The chapter argues that the platform is central to understanding the self-positioning of projects, supporters, and project owners within civic crowdfunding.