Kickstarter Projects With Environmental Commitments See 13.2% Funding Boost
A study of 173,874 unique projects on Kickstarter from 2016 to 2021 found that those with environmental commitments were not only more likely to be funded, but also had 8.7% higher pledged amounts relative to their funding goals
A recent study has found that Kickstarter projects with environmental commitments are more likely to be funded and have higher pledged amounts. The study, which analyzed 173,874 unique projects on Kickstarter from 2016 to 2021, found that projects with environmental commitments were 13.2% more likely to be funded.
The researchers, who included John (Jianqiu) Bai of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Xiumin Martin of Washington University in St. Louis, and Chi Wan of San Diego State University, along with Yi Cao of George Mason University, gathered data on the projects by scraping information from Kickstarter pages. They found that about one-third of creators chose to declare an environmental commitment once the option became available in their category.
The study also found that projects with environmental commitments had pledged amounts relative to their funding goals that were 8.7% higher. This suggests that backers are more willing to support projects that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.
## What changed In 2018, Kickstarter added an optional 'Environmental Commitments' section to project pages, allowing creators to post about their sustainable practices. The new feature was rolled out gradually across product categories, enabling the researchers to compare not only project-to-project differences but also overall changes within entire Kickstarter verticals.
## Why it matters The study's findings have significant implications for businesses and projects looking to attract sustainability-minded investors and backers. By making strong social impact pledges, companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market and attract supporters who share their values. The study provides evidence that environmental commitments can have a real economic impact, and that they are not just a way for companies to appear more sustainable.
The study's results are also relevant to the broader conversation about the role of business in addressing environmental challenges. As consumers and investors become increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, companies that demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility are likely to be rewarded with increased support and loyalty.
