Kickstarter Is Letting Pledgers Support Campaigns Long After They’ve Concluded

Photo 185827194 © nikkimeel | Dreamstime.com

Kickstarter is exploring allowing makers to continue being supported, and for backers to continue supporting ideas they love, even after they’ve successfully reached their funding goals. The crowdfunding platform has announced the addition of Late Pledges to keep the momentum going perpetually.

Traditionally, Kickstarter campaigns operate on an all-or-nothing basis. If a project doesn’t reach its target funding amount within the designated timeframe, backers are not charged and the project receives no funding. This time-sensitive element can be a major hurdle for both creators and backers. Creators may miss out on potential support from interested users who discover their work after the deadline, while backers might miss out on exciting projects due to unforeseen circumstances.

Late Pledges aim to address this gap. Once a campaign has successfully concluded, creators would have the option to enable Late Pledges on their project page and keep the funding door open. This creates a dedicated section where backers can still choose rewards and contribute financially, just like during the initial campaign period.

This new feature, currently being piloted with select creators, could hold significant potential benefits for both sides of the crowdfunding equation. Makers can extend their fundraising window and reach a wider audience, potentially generating additional funds to further develop their projects. Supporters gain more flexibility, allowing them to participate in the development of innovative ideas they might have missed during the initial campaign rush.

“The end of a campaign shouldn’t mean the end of support,” the company explains. “Whether you’ve just stumbled upon a project where the funding period has already ended or you’re a creator looking to keep the momentum going, we believe the spirit of support and discovery should continue even after the campaign clock runs out.”

While Late Pledges represent a positive step towards a more inclusive crowdfunding experience, it’s important to acknowledge potential drawbacks. Project fulfillment logistics may become more complex for creators managing ongoing pledges. Additionally, the long-term impact on overall funding success and backer satisfaction remains to be seen.

Anyhow, this feature isn’t yet available to everyone, as Kickstarter says it will collect feedback from a small group of users before firming up this option.

[via Nerdist and TechCrunch, cover photo 185827194 © nikkimeel | Dreamstime.com]