Partner: Senate – Polish Diaspora Programme
Target audience: Leaders and fundraising professionals of Polish diaspora organisations
Participation: A total of 18 individuals registered for the programme; 11 participants attended at least one training session (61.1%), while 5 participants attended all four sessions (27.8%).
Training Schedule
- 25 November 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
- 27 November 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
- 9 December 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
- 11 December 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
Training Sessions
- Marcin Mycielski & Marta Lempart – Introduction, Inspiration and Strategy
- Marta Lempart – Creating Crowdfunding Campaigns on Online Platforms
- Marcin Mycielski & Sławomir Sierakowski – Promotion and Amplification
- Marta Lempart – Finalising Fundraising Campaigns and Launching Your Campaign
ODF Project Team
- Marcin Mycielski, Vice-President & Executive Director – Trainer and Mentor
- Marta Lempart – Trainer and Mentor
- Karina Melnyk, Project & Programme Development Manager – Project Coordinator
- Olga Babii – Financial Reporting and Accounting Support
- Ivan Andriishyn – Graphic Designer
- Stanislav Kapatsyna – Communications Officer
1. Executive Summary
Project Objectives and Overview
The “Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora” was designed in response to the growing need to strengthen the financial independence of Polish diaspora organisations by equipping them with practical crowdfunding skills. Many diaspora organisations operate with limited access to sustainable funding sources and remain highly dependent on public grants. The programme addressed this challenge by providing a unique opportunity to develop professional fundraising competencies and diversify organisations’ sources of income through crowdfunding.
The course consisted of four online training sessions, delivered between 25 November and 11 December 2025, combining lectures with highly practical workshops. The programme featured leading Polish experts in crowdfunding and community fundraising, including: Marcin Mycielski – creator of 25 crowdfunding campaigns that have collectively raised PLN 6.3 million online; Marta Lempart – crowdfunding expert; Sławomir Sierakowski – creator of the largest crowdfunding campaigns in Poland’s history, including the “Bayraktar for Ukraine” campaign, which raised PLN 24.8 million.
A total of 18 participants registered for the programme, of whom 11 attended at least one training session, resulting in a 61.1% participation rate. Five participants attended all four workshops, demonstrating full commitment to the programme.
The sessions were held in the late afternoon (15:00–18:00 CET) to accommodate participants from different time zones.
Following the workshops, participants were offered an individual mentoring programme comprising 10 one-to-one consultations to support the development of their own crowdfunding campaigns.
The mentoring covered:
- assessment and refinement of crowdfunding campaign concepts;
- selecting and adapting campaigns to the most suitable crowdfunding platform;
- technical assistance with setting up fundraising campaigns;
- consultation on social media communication and campaign implementation strategies.
A dedicated alumni support group was established for programme graduates, enabling continued peer learning, networking, and mutual support in developing crowdfunding initiatives.
Participants also received a comprehensive package of training materials, including:
- an analytical framework for monitoring campaign performance;
- a step-by-step guide to managing crowdfunding campaigns;
- fundraising monitoring templates and reporting forms;
- practical checklists, templates, and implementation guides.
As a direct result of the mentoring programme, two crowdfunding initiatives were successfully launched, while another participant developed a strategic plan for expanding their presence on the Patronite platform.
Participant Feedback
Based on four evaluation questionnaires, participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the programme, awarding it an average score of 4.75 out of 5. The course received particularly positive feedback regarding the quality of the trainers, its practical focus, and the unique opportunity to learn directly from Poland’s leading crowdfunding practitioners. Participants especially appreciated the opportunity to engage with experts who shared first-hand experience from some of the largest crowdfunding campaigns ever conducted in Poland, as well as the practical nature of the workshops, which enabled immediate application of the knowledge acquired.
Key Recommendations
Based on the implementation of the project, we recommend continuing the programme in future editions while introducing the following improvements:
Earlier programme launch – begin the workshops in early November rather than late November, giving participants more time to prepare and launch holiday fundraising campaigns.
Optimised training schedule – consider longer intervals between sessions or dividing longer workshops into shorter modules with breaks, improving participant comfort and facilitating better knowledge retention.
Maintaining political neutrality – emphasise the non-partisan nature of the programme to encourage participation from a broader range of organisations and individuals, regardless of their political views.
Continuation of the mentoring programme – expand individual mentoring opportunities for participants actively developing their crowdfunding campaigns.
Implementing these recommendations is expected to improve participant retention and enhance the programme’s long-term impact on strengthening the financial independence of Polish diaspora organisations.
2. Programme Overview and Participation Analysis
2.1. Programme Objectives
The Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora was designed to:
- strengthen the financial independence of Polish diaspora organisations by introducing alternative fundraising methods;
- develop the fundraising competencies required to design and deliver successful crowdfunding campaigns;
- provide practical training in the use of crowdfunding tools—from selecting the appropriate platform to promoting fundraising campaigns;
- help participants build and engage communities of donors capable of providing long-term support;
- improve the operational sustainability of Polish diaspora organisations by diversifying their funding sources;
- create a network of Polish diaspora leaders interested in fundraising and peer collaboration.
2.2. Recruitment and Participation Statistics
A total of 18 participants registered for the programme. Of these, 11 attended at least one training session, representing a 61.1% conversion rate from registration to active participation.
Attendance by Workshop
- Workshop 1 (25 November): 11 participants (61.1%)
- Workshop 2 (27 November): 9 participants (50.0%)
- Workshop 3 (9 December): 5 participants (27.8%)
- Workshop 4 (11 December): 6 participants (33.3%)
Participation Breakdown
- 7 participants (38.9%) – registered but did not attend any workshop;
- 2 participants (11.1%) – attended one workshop;
- 3 participants (16.7%) – attended two workshops;
- 1 participant (5.6%) – attended three workshops;
- 5 participants (27.8%) – attended all four workshops.
Average number of workshops attended per registered participant: 1.72
The programme did not include a formal certification system based on minimum attendance. However, four participants completed the final evaluation questionnaire, representing 36.4% of active participants (those who attended at least one workshop).
Participant Retention
- Workshop 1 → Workshop 2: 81.8% participant retention
- Workshop 2 → Workshop 3: 55.6% participant retention
Following completion of the workshops, 10 participants took part in individual mentoring consultations, representing 90.9% of active participants. This exceptionally high participation rate demonstrates strong interest in applying the knowledge gained during the course in practice.
2.3. Participant Profile
The demographic analysis is based on information provided by all 18 applicants through the programme’s registration form.
2.3.1. Geographic Distribution
The Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora attracted participants from 11 countries across three continents, demonstrating the programme’s international reach and its ability to connect Polish diaspora leaders worldwide.
Western Europe – Main Area of Participation
The largest number of applications came from Western European countries:
- United Kingdom (3 participants) – primarily from London and Scotland;
- France (3 participants) – Paris, Lille, and Annecy;
- Belgium (3 participants) – Brussels;
- Ireland (1 participant) – Dublin;
- The Netherlands (1 participant) – Breda.
Northern Europe
- Faroe Islands (1 participant)
Central Europe
- Germany (1 participant) – active in several cities.
Eastern Europe
- Ukraine (2 participants) – Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi.
North America
- United States (1 participant) – Washington, D.C.
Middle East
- United Arab Emirates (1 participant)
This broad geographical distribution demonstrates the widespread demand among Polish diaspora organisations for fundraising expertise and practical crowdfunding skills, regardless of their country of operation.
2.3.2. Geographic Scope of Participants’ Organisations
Participants represented organisations operating at different levels:
- International: 6 participants (33.3%) – organisations operating globally or across multiple countries;
- National: 8 participants (44.4%) – organisations focused on activities within a single country outside Poland;
- Local: 4 participants (22.2%) – organisations serving a specific city or region.
This distribution indicates that the course appealed both to large organisations with an international reach and to smaller community-based initiatives, confirming the broad relevance of crowdfunding regardless of organisational scale.
2.3.3. Roles within Organisations
The analysis of participants’ organisational roles demonstrates that the programme successfully reached decision-makers responsible for fundraising strategy.
- Presidents / CEOs: 8 participants (44.4%)
- Board Members: 4 participants (22.2%)
- Project Coordinators: 3 participants (16.7%)
- Active Members / Volunteers: 3 participants (16.7%)
Overall, 66.6% of participants held senior leadership positions (Presidents/CEOs or Board Members), indicating that the programme reached individuals with direct influence over fundraising decisions within their organisations.
2.3.4. Areas of Organisational Activity
Participants represented organisations working across a wide range of sectors:
- Social and cultural organisations (5 participants) – promoting Polish culture and supporting Polish diaspora communities;
- Civic engagement and democracy organisations (3 participants) – encouraging electoral participation and promoting democratic values;
- Humanitarian and social support organisations (3 participants) – assisting refugees and delivering humanitarian aid;
- Educational organisations (2 participants) – Polish educational and cultural centres, as well as Polish supplementary schools abroad;
- Specialised organisations (4 participants) – focusing on mental health, sexuality education, and social entrepreneurship.
2.3.5. Previous Crowdfunding Experience
Participants’ previous experience with crowdfunding was limited:
- No previous experience: 16 participants (88.9%)
- Minimal experience: 2 participants (11.1%) – participation in a single training course without practical implementation.
These figures confirm that the programme successfully reached its intended audience: Polish diaspora leaders who recognised the need to develop crowdfunding skills but had previously lacked access to practical training.
2.3.6. Perceived Need for Crowdfunding
Participants rated the importance of crowdfunding for their organisations on a five-point scale:
- 5/5 – Critically important: 15 participants (83.3%)
- 4/5 – Very important: 2 participants (11.1%)
- 3/5: 1 participant (5.6%)
Average score: 4.78/5
These results demonstrate that the programme successfully reached organisations with an urgent need to diversify their funding sources and reduce dependence on traditional grant funding.
2.3.7. Main Barriers to Fundraising
Participants identified the following key challenges in securing funding:
- Lack of knowledge and practical experience, including limited familiarity with crowdfunding and insufficient fundraising expertise;
- Difficulty reaching potential donors, particularly within Polish diaspora communities, and limited willingness among some diaspora audiences to support community organisations;
- Dependence on grants from Poland, with many organisations seeking greater financial independence;
- Professionalism and organisational image, including challenges related to credibility and effective communication with supporters;
- Legal and accounting differences, particularly for organisations operating in Ukraine.
2.4. Programme Delivery and Organisation
The course was delivered online via the Zoom platform. While the previous section of this report presented the list of trainers and the topics covered during each session, this section focuses on the organisation and delivery of the training programme.
Workshop 1 – Introduction, Inspiration and Strategy
25 November 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
Trainers: Marcin Mycielski and Marta Lempart
The opening session provided a comprehensive introduction to crowdfunding and fundraising, covering different crowdfunding models (reward-based, charitable, membership, and recurring giving) as well as a comparison of major crowdfunding platforms, including Zrzutka, Patronite, GoFundMe, and PayPal Donate. Participants analysed successful crowdfunding campaigns implemented both by Polish diaspora organisations and internationally, learned the principles of effective storytelling, and identified their target audiences. During the practical workshop, each participant defined the objective of their future campaign, established a minimum fundraising target, and developed an initial launch strategy and timeline.
Workshop 2 – Creating Crowdfunding Campaigns on Online Platforms
27 November 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
Trainer: Marta Lempart
The second session was highly practice-oriented. Participants learned, step by step, how to create organisational accounts and profiles, build crowdfunding campaigns (including titles, descriptions, multimedia content, and donation tiers), use monitoring and analytics tools, and manage payments and fund withdrawals. The session also covered the legal and operational characteristics of different crowdfunding platforms. Approximately 70% of the session was devoted to practical exercises, during which each participant created an organisational profile and a draft crowdfunding campaign under the guidance of the trainer.
Workshop 3 – Promotion and Amplification
9 December 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
Trainers: Marcin Mycielski and Sławomir Sierakowski
By this stage, participants had already prepared their crowdfunding campaigns and focused on learning how to promote them effectively. The session covered promotion strategies, including identifying the most effective traffic sources and adapting campaigns to the holiday fundraising season. Participants learned how to create engaging content using the AIDA framework, make effective use of social media platforms – including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook (Reels, Shorts, and Live formats) – and collaborate with influencers and campaign ambassadors. Sławomir Sierakowski presented case studies of some of the largest crowdfunding campaigns in Poland’s history, including “Bayraktar for Ukraine” (PLN 24.8 million) and “#karetki4ua” (PLN 3.2 million), sharing practical insights and lessons learned from these landmark fundraising initiatives.
Workshop 4 – Finalising Campaigns and Launch Preparation
11 December 2025, 15:00–18:00 CET
Trainer: Marta Lempart
The final session focused on refining campaign descriptions and visual materials, reviewing the effectiveness of campaign messaging, and configuring payment and withdrawal settings. Around 70% of the workshop consisted of individual consultations, during which each participant received personalised feedback from the trainer on their crowdfunding campaign. Following the workshop, two participants chose to launch their campaigns immediately and developed promotional schedules leading up to the holiday season.
Mentoring Programme
Following the completion of the four workshops, participants were offered an individual mentoring programme led by Marcin Mycielski and Marta Lempart. In total, 10 one-to-one mentoring consultations were delivered to participants actively developing their crowdfunding campaigns.
The mentoring programme included:
- Strategic consultations – refining campaign objectives, target audiences, and key messaging;
- Technical support – assistance with creating and configuring campaigns on selected crowdfunding platforms;
- Campaign optimisation – reviewing campaign descriptions, visual materials, and promotional strategies;
- Promotion planning – developing social media communication plans;
- Problem-solving support – addressing technical and strategic challenges encountered during campaign development.
Outcomes of the Mentoring Programme
The mentoring process resulted in the development of the following initiatives:
- An active crowdfunding campaign in Kharkiv, Ukraine, raising funds to organise 20 training workshops for Polish teachers;
- A crowdfunding project in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, seeking funding for 50 free tickets to an arts festival;
- A Patronite development strategy designed to help one participant build a sustainable base of recurring supporters.
In addition, several participants prepared detailed fundraising plans for campaigns scheduled to launch in 2026, including initiatives supporting:
- a Domestic Violence Prevention Fund in Ireland;
- professional psychological support services for Polish women in the United Kingdom;
- the Polish Library in Washington, D.C.;
- the development of educational activities in the United Arab Emirates.
3. Evaluation Objectives and Methodology
The programme evaluation was designed as a post-course survey, conducted after the completion of all four workshops.
Participants received a link to the online questionnaire and were invited to complete it. The evaluation had three objectives: (1) to assess the overall implementation of the project and the extent to which its objectives had been achieved; (2) to collect data required for the narrative report submitted under the grant agreement; and (3) to identify areas for improvement in future editions of the programme.
The questionnaire was intentionally concise and combined both quantitative and qualitative questions, enabling participants to evaluate the programme while also providing open-ended feedback. All information collected through the survey was used exclusively for purposes related to the implementation, evaluation, and reporting requirements of the project.
4. Evaluation Results
A total of four completed evaluation questionnaires were received, representing 36.4% of active participants (those who attended at least one workshop) or 22.2% of all registered participants. Although the response rate was lower than anticipated, the feedback collected provides valuable insights into both the strengths of the programme and opportunities for future improvement.
4.1. Overall Course Evaluation
Participants were asked to rate the course on a five-point scale, where 1 = Very Poor and 5 = Excellent.
The results were as follows:
- 5/5 (Excellent): 3 participants (75%)
- 4/5 (Very Good): 1 participant (25%)
Average overall rating: 4.75/5
These results demonstrate a very high level of participant satisfaction with the course.
4.2. Aspects of the Course Rated Most Highly by Participants
Analysis of responses to the question “What did you like most about the course?” identified several key strengths of the programme.
4.2.1. Quality and Expertise of the Trainers
The aspect mentioned most frequently was the opportunity to learn directly from Poland’s leading crowdfunding experts.
“The opportunity to meet the country’s most renowned crowdfunding specialists and hear their advice.”
“The trainers spoke openly about running crowdfunding campaigns, including the challenges they encountered. Excellent trainers.”
“The opportunity to speak directly with the trainers.”
4.2.2. Practical Technical Knowledge
Participants particularly appreciated the practical guidance provided throughout the course.
“I especially appreciated the detailed technical explanations regarding specific campaign settings and the differences between crowdfunding platforms.”
“The practical tips on the key aspects of setting up a fundraising campaign.”
“Advice on building mailing lists and collecting contact information.”
4.2.3. A Shift in Attitudes Towards Crowdfunding
Several participants reported that the course significantly changed their perception of crowdfunding.
“I was quite sceptical about crowdfunding before the course, but now I genuinely believe it is possible to raise substantial amounts through this method.”
4.2.4. Most Appreciated Sessions
Participants particularly highlighted:
“Marta’s lectures.” (Marta Lempart)
4.3. Learning Outcomes
When asked “What were your most important takeaways from the course?”, participants most frequently identified the following learning outcomes.
Building and Engaging a Community
“I realised that crowdfunding must go hand in hand with community building through collecting email addresses and other contact lists. I already knew this in theory, but hearing experienced campaign organisers explain just how important it is made a real difference.”
Confidence in the Potential of Crowdfunding
“I now believe that it is genuinely possible to raise significant amounts of money through crowdfunding.”
Practical Technical Skills
“The practical aspects that are essential when setting up a crowdfunding campaign.”
“Tips on collecting contact information.”
4.4. Plans for Applying the Knowledge Acquired
Participants were asked: “Do you plan to launch your own crowdfunding campaign this year?”
The responses were:
- “Next year” – 4 participants (100% of respondents planning a future campaign)
- “Yes” – 1 participant (campaign already active)
Planned Crowdfunding Campaigns
- a Domestic Violence Prevention Fund in Ireland, providing professional assistance to survivors of domestic abuse;
- professional psychological support for Polish women living in the United Kingdom;
- 20 educational workshops for Polish-language teachers in Kharkiv, Ukraine (campaign already active);
- the Polish Library in Washington, D.C., to finance conservation work following flood damage to its collections.
These plans demonstrate that the course achieved its primary objective: participants progressed from an initial interest in crowdfunding to developing concrete fundraising plans and, in some cases, launching campaigns.
4.5. Suggestions for Improving the Course
Participants also provided several constructive recommendations for future editions of the programme.
4.5.1. Session Structure
“Each session should be divided into shorter segments, with a ten-minute break after every fifty minutes.”
4.5.2. Interaction
“Participants should be encouraged to ask questions throughout the session, rather than only at the end.”
4.5.3. Timing
“The timing ;)”
This comment suggested that the programme could benefit from being scheduled earlier in the year, as December is an exceptionally busy period leading up to the holiday season.
4.6. Additional Comments and Overall Reception
Responses to the “Additional Comments” section reflected a very high level of participant satisfaction.
“No comments. I would be happy to take part in other courses organised by your Foundation.”
“No comments. Thank you very much!!!”
“Nothing to add — only my thanks.”
Participants also expressed a clear interest in continuing their cooperation with the Open Dialogue Foundation and taking part in future training programmes organised by the Foundation.
5. Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Editions
5.1. Key Findings
The first edition of the Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora can be regarded as a significant programme success, as demonstrated by both quantitative and qualitative results.
Key achievements include:
- 61.1% conversion rate from registration to active participation, with 11 out of 18 registered participants attending at least one workshop;
- Very high participant satisfaction, reflected in an average evaluation score of 4.75 out of 5;
- Strong participant retention, with 81.8% of participants from Workshop 1 returning for Workshop 2;
- High engagement among the most committed participants, with 27.8% (5 participants) attending all four workshops;
- Exceptional interest in the mentoring programme, with 90.9% of active participants (10 out of 11) taking part in individual mentoring consultations;
- Tangible outcomes, including the launch of two active crowdfunding campaigns and the development of several detailed fundraising plans for 2026;
- Access to leading crowdfunding experts, which participants consistently identified as one of the programme’s greatest strengths;
- A highly practical learning format, with approximately 70% of workshop time devoted to practical exercises and hands-on activities.
Participants rated the following aspects of the programme particularly highly: the expertise and experience of the trainers; practical technical guidance; increased confidence in the potential of crowdfunding; real-life case studies of successful fundraising campaigns.
5.2. Areas for Improvement
Participant feedback identified several areas that should be addressed in future editions.
- Declining attendance throughout the programme – from 11 participants during Workshop 1 to 5 participants during Workshop 3 (a decline of approximately 55%), although attendance increased slightly during the final workshop (6 participants).
- Length of training sessions – three-hour sessions without scheduled breaks proved demanding for some participants.
- Programme timing – launching the course at the end of November left participants with limited time to prepare holiday fundraising campaigns. Beginning the programme in early November would provide a more practical timeframe.
- Low evaluation response rate – only 36.4% of active participants (4 out of 11) completed the final evaluation survey, limiting the comprehensiveness of the assessment.
5.3. Recommendations
1. Strengthen Recruitment and Outreach
Future editions should diversify recruitment channels and increase direct engagement with Polish diaspora organisations, encouraging them to nominate representatives for the programme. Such an approach is expected to improve participant commitment and strengthen organisational ownership of the training process.
Objective: Increase enrolment to 25–30 participants while maintaining high recruitment standards.
2. Optimise the Training Structure
Future editions should consider:
- introducing a 10-minute break after every 50 minutes of training;
- encouraging participants to ask questions throughout the sessions rather than only during the final Q&A;
- replacing three-hour sessions with two-hour workshops delivered over a larger number of meetings.
3. Launch the Programme Earlier
The course should begin in early November rather than at the end of the month, giving participants sufficient time to:
- prepare their crowdfunding campaigns;
- launch fundraising campaigns before the holiday season;
- take advantage of the period when donors are generally more willing to support charitable and community initiatives.
4. Extend Post-Course Engagement
The programme could further increase its long-term impact by:
- extending the mentoring programme to three months after the completion of the course;
- organising follow-up sessions approximately two to three months after the programme to review participants’ progress and provide additional support.
5. Strengthen the Evaluation Process
Future editions should consider:
- making completion of the final evaluation questionnaire a prerequisite for receiving the course’s final materials;
- introducing short feedback surveys (2–3 questions) after each workshop to collect ongoing participant feedback.
6. Preserve the Programme’s Key Strengths
Future editions should maintain the elements that participants valued most:
- collaboration with Poland’s leading crowdfunding experts;
- a highly practical learning format, with at least 70% of training time dedicated to workshops and practical exercises;
- individual mentoring tailored to participants’ real fundraising projects;
- in-depth analysis of successful Polish crowdfunding case studies;
- an online delivery format, enabling participation from Polish diaspora communities around the world.
6. Summary
The first edition of the Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora successfully achieved its objectives by providing participants with valuable, practice-oriented knowledge and skills in crowdfunding and fundraising.
The programme demonstrated a high level of effectiveness among engaged participants, as evidenced by:
- a 61.1% conversion rate from registration to active participation (11 out of 18 registered participants);
- 90.9% of active participants taking advantage of individual mentoring (10 out of 11 participants);
- the successful development of concrete crowdfunding initiatives, including campaigns in Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi;
- an average participant satisfaction score of 4.75 out of 5;
- 27.8% of participants completing all four workshops, demonstrating a high level of commitment throughout the programme.
The course successfully identified the principal barriers faced by Polish diaspora organisations in securing sustainable funding – including limited fundraising expertise, difficulties reaching potential donors, and dependence on grant funding – and provided participants with practical tools and strategies to address these challenges.
The areas identified for improvement – including broader outreach, optimisation of the training schedule, and a more comprehensive evaluation process – can be implemented without fundamentally changing the programme’s concept or objectives. We therefore recommend continuing the programme in future editions while incorporating the improvements outlined in this report and maintaining a systematic evaluation process to support its ongoing development.
The Crowdfunding Course for the Polish Diaspora fills an important gap in the educational offer available to Polish diaspora organisations and represents a valuable investment in their long-term financial sustainability and organisational resilience worldwide.
