Basics | Eligibility | Examples | Environmental Justice Locations | Not Eligible | Reporting | Budget | Contact Us

 

This specific ioby program requires an application.

First, submit this intake form so that we know you are going to apply; this helps us follow up with you so that you do not miss out on this program. Second, fill out this application.

 

Please note that you cannot participate in two ioby match opportunities at the same time, but if you exhaust one fund and are eligible for another one, then you may participate in an additional match fund opportunity.
 

Match Funding Basics

New to ioby? It might be best to start with our general FAQ here.

To receive ioby match funds, you need a minimum of five different donors. 

Should the goal I set on my fundraising page include the amount of match funding I hope to receive? Yes. For example, if you need $6,000 to implement your project, your public goal on your page would be $6,000—you would only need to fundraise $3,000 of that goal, which would be matched as you fundraise, for as long as matching funds are available.

How does match funding on ioby work? When you fundraise on ioby with match funding, donations to your campaign will be doubled instantly, so you move toward your goal twice as fast. So if someone donates $25, your page will reflect a donation of $50!

How do I get approved for this match program? This specific ioby program requires an application. First, submit this intake form so that we know you are going to apply; this helps us follow up with you so that you do not miss out on this program. Second, fill out this application.

If I’m approved for match funding, am I guaranteed to receive a specific amount?  No, this is not a grant program. ioby matching funds are won by donors to your campaign, and donors are matched on a first-come basis to all participating campaigns so that funding flows toward projects with the most urgent funding needs and active teams. Your team needs to raise a dollar to receive a dollar, and no amount of match funding is guaranteed in advance. If you begin a campaign, but then stop fundraising for several weeks, there is no guarantee that match funding will still be available.

Who is eligible to receive matching funds? Individual residents, volunteer groups of friends and neighbors, 501c3 nonprofits, schools, places of worship, and other civic organizations. 

You do not need to be a formal nonprofit to access match funding and raise tax deductible donations on ioby. ioby is a 501c3 nonprofit and can serve as the fiscal sponsor for projects led by individuals or informal groups. ioby can also disburse funds to your local nonprofit fiscal sponsor if you prefer (including 501c3's, schools, municipalities, government agencies, and places of worship).

What if I have more than one eligible project idea? It’s best to pick one thing to crowdfund for at a time. If you’re trying to decide between several possible funding needs, keep in mind that crowdfunding works best for projects that are concrete and specific, where residents will be able to see the results or participate in the project they helped fund.

How do I know if match funding is still available for my project? When you share your project idea, our team will alert you in the case that match funds are running low and you may not be able to access the maximum amount; then you can decide if you would like to go forward with fundraising or not. We'll also alert you if matching funds begin to run low while you are fundraising with us. 

How long will the match fund be available?  This will depend on how many projects participate, and how much they raise. Funding will be distributed on a first-come basis as participants crowdfund. We update you by email. 

 

Eligibility

Please note that you cannot participate in two ioby match opportunities at the same time, but if you exhaust one fund and are eligible for another one, then you may participate in an additional match fund opportunity.

This specific ioby program requires an application.

First, submit this intake form so that we know you are going to apply; this helps us follow up with you so that you do not miss out on this program. Second, fill out this application.

To receive ioby match funds, you need a minimum of five different donors. 

To access the 2022 NYC Environmental Justice & Sustainability Match Program: 

1. To access matching funds your project must conform to the requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Benefit Project Policy CP-37 (https://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/64596.html).

2. Occur within one or more of the five boroughs of New York City. Please note: NYSDEC preferences projects that benefit a Potential Environmental Justice Area. You can use the following map and zoom in on your neighborhood to see where Potential Environmental Justice Areas are located within New York City: Below, click here. 

3. Be led by an individual resident, informal group, school, place of worship, or nonprofit organization. 

  • You do not need to be a nonprofit organization to access match funding. Projects may be led by an individual/informal community group with a local fiscal sponsor to steward funds on their behalf, or an individual/informal community group that chooses ioby to serve as the fiscal sponsor.

4. Not be aimed at making private profit for a specific individual, family, business, or other entity. 

5. Be specific and concrete. All ioby campaign pages must include a budget outlining how funds will be spent. 

6. Finish crowdfunding and cash-out by November 30th, 2022 at the latest. Here's why. To receive ioby match funds, you need a minimum of five different donors. 

7. Begin the project by December 31, 2022.  

8. Complete a required survey and send pictures from the project by January 31, 2023.

9. Provide a discernible environmental benefit (see specific examples below). Eligible projects include those that are located within New York City and:

  • Help mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
  • Conserve, improve, or protect natural resources and biodiversity.
  • Reduce pollution of air, land, and water.
  • Expand, improve or activate green spaces, including community gardens, parks, and street tree beds.
  • Provide for sustainable generation of energy or reduce the consumption of energy.
     

10. In addition to the primary environmental impact, projects may also provide environmental education to New York City residents.

11. Projects may not primarily benefit the New York City Department of Environmental Protection or another agency of the City of New York.
 

Please note: All donations to all projects on ioby are fully tax-deductible. 
You do not need to be a formal nonprofit to access match funding and raise tax deductible donations on ioby. ioby is a 501c3 nonprofit and can serve as the fiscal sponsor for projects led by individuals or informal groups. ioby can also disburse funds to your local nonprofit fiscal sponsor if you prefer (including 501c3's, schools, municipalities, government agencies, and places of worship).

 

Examples of Eligible Projects:

1.    Recycling or composting programs
2.    Green infrastructure projects that reduce stormwater runoff such as green roofs, de-paving, rain barrels, bioswales, or rain gardens
3.    Tree planting or street tree care
4.    Community solar projects
5.    Coastal cleanups
6.    Projects that support biodiversity and native species such as pollinator gardens, wildlife censuses
7.    Citizen science projects to monitor local pollution
8.    Projects that expand energy conservation or renewable energy
9.    Initiatives aimed at emergency preparedness for climate change or building community resilience to climate change
10.   Improving park amenities
11.   Park clean-up or planting days
12.   Converting a vacant lot into a community garden or pocket park
13.   Expanding and supporting community gardens
14.   Projects that expand participation in biking, walking, and public transportation as greener alternatives to car travel
15.   Environmental education will only be approved if it is in addition to a primary environmental impact. Education alone is not eligible.

 

Eligible Project Categories:

1. Air Quality Improvement/Monitoring: Projects designed to improve or evaluate air quality. These could include, but are not limited to, efforts to relief congestion, white and green roofs, tree planting, identifying and monitoring sources of emissions, and assessment of potential health impacts associated with air emissions. 

2. Water Quality Improvement/Monitoring: Projects designed to improve or evaluate water quality. These could include, but are not limited to, watershed restoration, identifying or monitoring sources of water pollution, and assessment of potential health and environmental impacts associated with water quality.

3. Storm Recovery: Projects designed to repair and restore areas previously impacted by storms or natural disasters. These could include, but are not limited to, rebuilding damaged ecosystems and fortification efforts to mitigate future storm risks.

4. Environmental Restoration/Habitat Improvement - Projects designed to assist and maintain an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. These could include, but are not limited to, wetland reconstruction, addressing environmental contamination of soil and water, and reintroducing native flora and fauna.
 
5. Waste Management - Projects designed to prevent or reduce waste. These could include, but are not limited to, programs to promote the avoidance of organic and other waste through composting, repair, reuse, or recycling efforts.

6. Pollution Prevention/Reduction - Projects designed to prevent or reduce the amount of pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals. These could include, but are not limited to, programs to avoid the use or improper disposal of harmful products, integrated pest management methods to reduce the use of pesticides, and similar efforts.

7. Environmental Education/Public Awareness - Projects designed to increase and promote awareness on or knowledge about various

8. Energy Efficiency - Projects designed to improve energy use and production. These could include, but are not limited to, conducting energy assessments and audits, structural insulation, energy-efficient lighting, high-efficiency heating systems, conversions to renewable energy, and other strategies used to reduce energy waste.

9. Climate Change Preparedness - Projects designed to prepare for and study the effects of climate change. These could include, but are not limited to, community-based resiliency efforts, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and other approaches for protecting the community and environment from climate impacts.

10. Stormwater Mitigation/Green Infrastructure - Projects designed to limit and/or control stormwater runoff. These could include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies and the installation of rain gardens, tree pits, bioswales/greenstreets, bluebells, green roofs, blue roofs, permeable

11. Other - Project ideas that have environmental benefits but do not fit within the categories listed above.

 

 

Environmental Justice 

This match program welcomes applications from all NYC neighborhoods. Preference will be given to environmental justice communities, as defined by the NYSDEC. 

Click the map below, and zoom in to your project's location. If that location is purple, then it is an environmental justice community. 

 

Ineligible Projects:

1. Because all donations on ioby are tax-deductible, we cannot support campaigns that benefit one specific individual, family, or business, such as:
            a. Gap funding for your small business.
            b. Covering a specific individual’s loss of income or medical expenses. 

2. Projects involving political campaigning or contributions to political campaigns are ineligible. 

3. Projects benefiting the New York City Department of Environmental Protection or another agency of the City of New York are ineligible. 

4. Social service, charitable, or public health projects that lack a primary focus on the environment.

5. Projects that benefit the environment but occur on the private property of an individual or business and would primarily benefit that private entity, such as a green roof on a business or solar panels on your own home. Community initiatives that involve adding new infrastructure on multiple private properties may be eligible but should be discussed with ioby staff.

6. Fundraising for a pool of funds to be re-granted to others or used for an unspecified purpose in the future.

7. General operating support or funding new staff hires for nonprofits, including nonprofits focused exclusively on the environment.

8. NYSDEC may determine a project ineligible if a person(s) proposing or involved in the performance of the project has a record of non-compliance, has been found responsible for significant environmental harm in the past, or has misappropriated funds.

 

Please feel free to contact us at Miriam@ioby.org to discuss your project idea. 

 

Match Campaign Budget Questions

Should the goal I set on my fundraising page include the amount of match funding I hope to receive? Yes. For example, if you need $6,000 to implement your project, your public goal on your page would be $6,000—you would only need to fundraise $3,000 of that goal, which would be matched as you fundraise, for as long as matching funds are available.

Does it cost anything to fundraise on ioby? For projects participating in this ioby match program, the only required cost is the 3% processing fee we pass on to our secure third-party processor. This 3% is retained from the total you raise at the end of your campaign, nothing is paid up front. ioby's fiscal sponsorship service is optional and available at 5%. ioby fees are explained here.

How much match funding can I receive on my campaign? $5,000 is the maximum amount that can be match to any individual or organization in this program. This cap helps ensure that many community leaders will have access to ioby match funding.

What if my project is small and I don't need $5,000? Or what if I don't think I can raise that much?  That's totally fine! This program is appropriate for small-scale, grassroots projects and ioby has lots of experience supporting smaller campaigns. You are not required to try to use the full $5,000 in match funding.

Shouldn't I set a really big goal and hope for the best? You will only receive match funding equivalent to what you raise, so we encourage you to aim for an amount of funding that fits your team’s fundraising capacity and immediate budget needs. Also, it makes crowdfunding more difficult to set a larger goal than you have a plan to reach, because donors are less likely to give to campaigns that don't look likely to meet their goal. Our webinars, campaign planning tools, and your Leader Success Strategist can all help you set a goal that fits your team size and fundraising plan.

Does match funding apply to any donation? Match funding is meant to make it easier for you to reach out to your networks broadly to ask for donations, and not meant for doubling just one or two large gifts. For that reason, we’ll only be matching up to the first $1,000 of any single donation.

Does ioby accept checks and can they be matched?  Yes. It's not standard practice, but if you have a donor who prefers to give by check instead of credit card, they can send their check to ioby to be applied to your campaign. ioby's donation processing fee of 3% also applies to check donations, and check donations can be matched. We won’t be able to match a check donation until we receive and process the check, whereas online donations are matched instantly.

What if I use up all the match funding I was originally planning for, but want to keep fundraising? Great! With ioby’s flexible finish policy you can always raise your goal mid-campaign if needed. If you hit the $5,000 match maximum, you are also welcome to keep fundraising additional unmatched dollars.

What happens if I don’t meet my goal? Our trainings and one-on-one support are intended to give you and your team the best shot as success. However, if you fall short of your goal, you'll still keep anything you raised and match funding you've earned. When you close your campaign, your Leader Success Strategist will ask you to adjust the budget on your page to show how you’ll use the smaller amount of funds toward your project.

Here are some examples of possible budget scenarios:

Your original goal: $10,000
You raise: $5,000
Match funding for the first $5,000 in donations: $5,000
Total disbursed at end of campaign: $10,000*

Your original goal: $6,000
You raise: $3,000
Match funding: $3,000
Total disbursed at end of campaign: $6,000*
 

Your original goal: $12,000
You raise: $7,000
Match funding for the first $5,000 in donations: $5,000
Total disbursed at end of campaign: $12,000*

Your original goal: $20,000
You raise: $15,000
Match funding for the first $5,000 in donations: $5,000
Total disbursed at end of campaign: $20,000*

Your page will continue to accept donations after your goal is met and you can raise your campaign goal at any time during your campaign. When $5,000 in match funding has been applied to your page, the match will automatically shut off. At that point, donations will no longer be matched but you are always welcome to continue fundraising additional unmatched dollars.

*Minus ioby fees.
 

Reporting and Receiving Your Funds

When will I receive my match funding? Donations to your ioby campaign page will be doubled instantly as people donate to your page. When you decide to close your campaign, you’ll receive the total you raised plus match funding as one lump sum, via check or e-payment. The 3% fee for our secure payment processor will be retained from that total. We will ask you to electronically sign a simple project agreement or fiscal sponsorship agreement before sending your payment. 

What reporting is required if I participate?

1. All ioby project leaders are asked to complete an online survey that we'll ask you to fill it out at the point that you close your campaign and request your funds. It should take about 10 minutes to fill out, and helps us consistently improve our crowdfunding coaching services. 

2. Complete a second match program required survey and send pictures from the project before December 31, 2022.

Other Questions?

Please feel free to contact our ioby Match Programs Director, Miriam@ioby.org