What is Kickstarter? We’re the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Learn more!

Kickstarter Basics

  1. How It Works

    1. What is Kickstarter?
    2. Who can fund their project on Kickstarter?
    3. Why do people support projects?
    4. I only need to raise a small amount of funding. Is Kickstarter for me?
    5. All-or-nothing funding?
    6. Does Kickstarter take some percentage of ownership or intellectual property of things made through Kickstarter?
    7. How do I start a project?

  2. Account Settings

    1. How can I change my profile name?
    2. How can I change the email address associated with my account?
    3. How do I unsubscribe from or adjust which emails I receive?
    4. I forgot my password, how do I log in?
    5. How can I log in using my Facebook account?
    6. How do I disconnect my Facebook account?
    7. What is Facebook Connect?
    8. How come my Facebook account is showing up as somebody else?
    9. Do you recommend connecting with Facebook?
    10. Can I connect my company's Facebook page to my project?
    11. How do I delete my account?

  3. Site Basics

    1. Do projects have RSS feeds?
    2. Where is Kickstarter on the web?
    3. Who is Kickstarter?
    4. How can I contact Kickstarter?
    5. Can I download the Kickstarter logo?

  1. How It Works Top ↑

    1. What is Kickstarter?

      Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative projects.

      We believe that:

      • A good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide.

      • A large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.

      Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands.

    2. Who can fund their project on Kickstarter?

      Kickstarter is focused on creative projects. We're a great way for artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, writers, illustrators, explorers, curators, performers, and others to bring their projects, events, and dreams to life.

      The word “project” is just as important as “creative” in defining what works on Kickstarter. A project is something finite with a clear beginning and end. Someone can be held accountable to the framework of a project — a project was either completed or it wasn’t — and there are definable expectations that everyone can agree to. This is imperative for every Kickstarter project.

      We know there are a lot of great projects that fall outside of our scope, but Kickstarter is not a place for soliciting donations to causes, charity projects, or general business expenses. Learn more about our project guidelines.

    3. Why do people support projects?

      REWARDS! Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards (products, benefits, and experiences).

      STORIES! Kickstarter projects are efforts by real people to do something they love, something fun, or at least something of note. These stories unfold through blog posts, pics, and videos as people bring their ideas to life. Take a peek around the site and see what we're talking about. Stories abound.

    4. I only need to raise a small amount of funding. Is Kickstarter for me?

      Absolutely! Kickstarter is for creative projects big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. Small projects that you (or you and a few friends) can do over a weekend are perfect for Kickstarter. In fact, the most common projects on Kickstarter are not blockbusters but smaller projects that raise $5,000 or less. Check out some fun project stats and some currently funding Small Projects looking to raise $1,000 or less.

    5. All-or-nothing funding?

      Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.

      Why?

      1. It's less risk for everyone. If you need $5,000, it's tough having $2,000 and a bunch of people expecting you to complete a $5,000 project.

      2. It allows people to test concepts (or conditionally sell stuff) without risk. If you don't receive the support you want, you're not compelled to follow through. This is huge!

      3. It motivates. If people want to see a project come to life, they're going to spread the word.

    6. Does Kickstarter take some percentage of ownership or intellectual property of things made through Kickstarter?

      Absolutely not. Project creators keep 100% ownership of their work.

    7. How do I start a project?

      To start a project, go to the Start Your Project page and click the "Share Your Project" button. We'll ask some basic questions about your project. It shouldn't take more than a few days for a member of our team to get back to you about your proposal, and if you've got a creative project that meets our guidelines, we're good to go.

  2. Account Settings Top ↑

    1. How can I change my profile name?

      Make sure you’re logged in to Kickstarter and go to your profile page.

    2. How can I change the email address associated with my account?

      Make sure you’re logged in to Kickstarter and go to your account page.

    3. How do I unsubscribe from or adjust which emails I receive?

      Make sure you’re logged in to Kickstarter and go to your notifications page.

    4. I forgot my password, how do I log in?

      You can request a password reset at the bottom of the login page.

    5. How can I log in using my Facebook account?

      You can sign in with Facebook using the Facebook login button on the login page.

    6. How do I disconnect my Facebook account?

      Log in to Kickstarter through Facebook, then go to your account settings to disconnect from Facebook and set a password on your account page.

    7. What is Facebook Connect?

      Facebook Connect is a way for you to link your Facebook account to Kickstarter so you don't need to create a new account. It's the same as logging in through Facebook. Kickstarter uses the email you use for Facebook, and you don't have to remember a new password. It's easy!

      If you're a creator and you've turned on Facebook Connect, your Facebook username and friend count will be displayed in your Kickstarter bio (at the bottom-right corner of your project page). This helps backers learn more about the people behind the projects they support, and builds trust between the backer and creator.

      If having your Facebook profile a click away makes you uncomfortable, you can either adjust your privacy settings on your Facebook profile or disconnect from Facebook through the "About You" section of your Edit Project page or on your account page.

    8. How come my Facebook account is showing up as somebody else?

      If you are using a computer that is logged in to someone else's Facebook, connecting your Kickstarter account to Facebook will create a link to that other person's account. Make sure that whichever computer you're working on is either logged out of Facebook or already logged in as yourself.

    9. Do you recommend connecting with Facebook?

      Yes! It's an easy way for anyone to log in to Kickstarter

      If you're a creator, it's a great way to let backers know a little bit more about you. It doesn't mean you have to accept random friend requests or make your entire profile public, but it's an easy way to show backers you're a real person. You can also adjust the privacy settings of your Facebook account to better control what new visitors see.

    10. Can I connect my company's Facebook page to my project?

      No, Facebook Connect works for personal Facebook profiles only. If your project is a team collaboration, have one of your team members Facebook Connect to the project.

    11. How do I delete my account?

      Your account can be deleted from your account page. Warning: this is not reversible!

  3. Site Basics Top ↑

    1. Do projects have RSS feeds?

      Each project has an RSS feed of its Project Updates. You can find it in the project's share section. (Note that backer-only Updates are not included.)

      There’s also an overall RSS feed of Recommended projects, which you can subscribe to here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/feed.atom

    2. Where is Kickstarter on the web?

      You can find Kickstarter on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Follow us!

    3. Who is Kickstarter?

      Perry Chen (NY, NY), Yancey Strickler (NY, NY), Charles Adler (Brooklyn, NY), Lance Ivy (Brooklyn, NY), Cassie Marketos (Brooklyn, NY), Fred Benenson (NY, NY), Andrew Cornett (Brooklyn, NY), Brett Camper (Brooklyn, NY), Cindy Au (Brooklyn, NY), Daniella Jaeger (Brooklyn, NY), Cedric Howe (Brooklyn, NY), Samuel Cole (Brooklyn, NY), Kendel Ratley (Brooklyn, NY), Mike McGregor (Brooklyn, NY), Justin Kazmark (Brooklyn, NY), Meaghan O'Connell (Brooklyn, NY), Tieg Zaharia (Queens, NY), Elisabeth Holm (Brooklyn, NY), Jed Meade (Brooklyn, NY), Molly Surno (Brooklyn, NY), Jared Cohen (Brooklyn, NY), Cooper Troxell (Brooklyn, NY), Nicole He (Brooklyn, NY), Angelica Thornhill (Brooklyn, NY), Aaron Suggs (Brooklyn, NY), Zack Sears (NY, NY), Stephanie Pereira (Brooklyn, NY), Aurora Thornhill (Brooklyn, NY), Callan Lamb (Brooklyn, NY), Jessica Harllee (Brooklyn, NY), Alex Cox (Brooklyn, NY), Chris Muccioli (Brooklyn, NY), Andrew Boyajian (NY, NY), Dan Drabik (NY, NY), Brandon Williams (Brooklyn, NY), Tomasz Werner (Brooklyn, NY), Katherine Pan (NY, NY), Bridget Best (NY, NY).

      We are lovingly advised by Sunny Bates (NY, NY) and Andy Baio (Portland, OR).

      Home base is NYC. Check out our team page!

    4. How can I contact Kickstarter?

      There's a "Contact" button at the bottom of this page, in the site footer.

    5. Yes! Check out our Style Guide, where you can download various versions of the logo and other fun things.