When it comes to crowdsourcing websites, CauseWorthy has put their hat in the ring to be the next contender in the crowdfunding playing field. Where other crowdfunding pages let anybody start a project whether it's funding medical treatment or financing plastic surgery, CauseWorthy is strictly for charitable projects around the world.

In Use:
CauseWorthy sets themselves apart from crowdsourcing websites by not taking a cut of the money being raised. All money raised for the campaigns go straight to the campaign. Furthermore, the campaign must state exactly where the money is being used and must be used on tools and supplies directly helping the project. Therefore, it can't be used to pay workers or travel expenses.

Co-founder of CauseWorthy, Emily Harris states; “Many people choose not to give because they are afraid of being scammed, rarely know where their donations are going and seldom receive any feedback. Our goal with CauseWorthy is to bring more transparency to the online giving process by creating a place where like-minded world-changers can give resources directly to verified projects and then watch as each project moves forward to completion.” Unlike similar webpages, along with monetary support, CauseWortlhy has added the option for donors to volunteer their services whether it's legal advice, carpentry skills, or art supplies.This opens the doors to a wider support system and donor base.

Whether a supporter would like to donate to CauseWorthy monetarily or donate their time, they simply log onto the website and click the project they wish to help. To the right of the page there will be two buttons; one to donate money and another to volunteer.

Technology Used:
CauseWorthy requires a computer with internet access. Other than that there are no downloads required.

Ease of Use:
Like other crowdsourcing websites, CauseWorthy is simple to use. Supporters simply go to the website and review each project. They can discover what the project entails, who benefits from the projects as well as a breakdown of supplies that are needed to ensure this project succeeds. As a nonprofit who wants to start a project on CauseWorthy, it takes a bit more time. CauseWorthy makes sure that each new project is vetted, and must provide a goal breakdown of where the money will go, a timeline of when the project will start and finish, and updates on the project once the project gets funded. This ensures that the money supporters are donating are going to a reputable project.

Recap:
CauseWorthy is a crowdfunging website dedicated to helping charitable projects get off the ground. All funds raised go directly to the project. Before a project is chosen, the organization must be vetted, have a clear timeline of the project from start to finish, as well as a breakdown of where the money will go once the project is funded.

Advantages:

• All money raised goes directly to the projects
• The volunteer option is unique and promising. Some people feel strongly about an issue, but might not necessary have the money to support it, but they do have time and resources they could donate
• CauseWorthy is a platform that gives projects a voice to be heard that might not have otherwise been able to be funded

Disadvantages:

• Not many projects available to support
• Doesn't seem to be too much traffic going towards CauseWorthy as many projects are only partially funded
• Issues with the back end of CauseWorthy's web site that needs to be sorted out

My Opinion:
I don't like the interface of the website. At first look it's similar to other crowdfunding websites. On the main pages there are projects that are currently in the works and others that have ended. When you click on the projects you can find more information about the project and buttons to volunteer or donate. And then that's where the similarities stop.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to create an account. When I tried to sign up, the website stated that my email was already registered. When I tried to recover my password they said my email was invalid. When I clicked on "volunteer" on one of the projects they said a representative from the organization would contact me. Except I wasn't logged in and I never gave them my contact information.

There's also a total of six projects on their website, two of which have already ended. One met their 100% goal while the other ended with only 92% of their project being funded. Of the four that was left, a project dedicated to building Portal Shelters in Nepal had raised a high of 37% while another for a Clean Water Education Plan was still at 0. There's no doubt that there are more projects in the works, but the question is how will CauseWorthy gain supporters when there are so many various crowdfunding pages already out there? And with lackluster percentages raised, will organizations trust their projects in their hands?

If CauseWorthy can overcome these obstacles I do believe they have the potential to be on the level of GoFundMe and other popular crowdsourcing websites. Their dedication is there, and so is the creativity. It's always nice when people are given the option to donate their time versus their money because not everyone has that much money to give. For more information on CauseWorthy or to donate to a worthy cause visit their website at: http://www.causeworthy.org/.