Frequently asked questions
Whether you are planning a campaign or looking to support a project, the answers below explain how FundMyMusic works in practice. They cover the questions we are most often asked by creators and supporters.
They are intended as a practical guide. Full details about fees, payments, responsibilities, refunds and project terms are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
For creators
Who can start a project?
FundMyMusic is open to musicians, ensembles, composers, scholars, students, choirs, orchestras, festivals and cultural organisations with a serious musical, educational, scholarly or cultural project.
Projects should be clearly described, realistic and suitable for presentation to supporters. FundMyMusic is not intended for casual personal fundraising or general commercial ventures.
What sort of projects are suitable?
FundMyMusic is intended for serious musical, educational, scholarly and cultural projects across all genres.
It is not only for art music. We welcome projects in jazz, folk, rock, contemporary, experimental, traditional, community and other musical fields, provided they have a clear purpose and can be presented honestly to supporters.
Suitable projects might include performances, recordings, publications, research, commissions, festivals, educational work, choirs, orchestras, instrument projects, heritage work and restoration.
These examples are not fixed categories. If your project has musical or cultural value and can be explained clearly, it might be suitable for FundMyMusic.
Is there a fee to start a project?
No. There is no fee to start a project, and no platform fee if your project raises nothing.
If your campaign is successful, FundMyMusic deducts a 5% platform fee from your payout. Stripe also deducts its own payment processing fees from your payout in accordance with its published pricing and terms. FundMyMusic does not determine or control Stripe’s fees.
How are payments handled?
Payments are handled securely through Stripe.
Creators are asked to set up payment details so that funds can be received through the platform. Stripe processes payments from supporters and charges its own payment processing fees.
FundMyMusic deducts its platform fee from successful fundraising only.
Do I need a Stripe account?
Yes. Creators will need to set up a free Stripe Connect account before receiving funds.
The process usually takes only a few minutes, provided you have suitable identification available, such as a passport, driving licence or national identity/residence card. Stripe uses this information to verify your identity and comply with financial regulations.
Once your account has been approved, payments can be transferred securely to you whenever your campaign receives support.
Stripe is FundMyMusic’s trusted payment partner. Your information is handled securely and is not used for marketing purposes or shared except where necessary to provide its payment services or comply with legal requirements.
Can my project be removed?
Yes. FundMyMusic reserves the right to review, pause or remove projects that are incomplete, misleading, unsuitable or inconsistent with the purpose of the platform.
This helps protect supporters, creators and the professional character of FundMyMusic.
How will my campaign be promoted?
FundMyMusic includes optional AI-assisted campaign promotion as part of the standard platform fee. Throughout your fundraising period, the system can prepare social media posts highlighting your project, funding progress, milestones and updates to help keep your campaign visible.
Every suggested post is sent to you for approval before publication. You may edit the wording, request an alternative version or simply skip it. Nothing is published without your approval.
Can I increase my campaign's visibility?
Yes. All campaigns receive the same professional presentation and are listed on FundMyMusic. If you would like additional exposure, you can upgrade your campaign to Featured Campaign status at any time.
Featured Campaigns receive increased visibility across FundMyMusic for 30 days, including priority placement in featured areas of the website. While your campaign has Featured status, the platform fee is 6% instead of the standard 5%.
At the end of the 30-day featured period, your campaign automatically returns to the standard 5% platform fee. If you wish, you may renew Featured Campaign status at any time for a further 30 days.
The upgrade is entirely optional and can be activated whenever you feel your campaign would benefit from additional visibility.
Why do campaigns have a closing date?
A defined funding period gives donors a clear, honest picture of whether a project is being actively managed. It prevents forgotten campaigns from appearing permanently open.
What happens near a campaign’s closing date?
The creator receives reminders 30 days and 7 days before the funding period ends. During the final seven days the campaign is marked Closing Soon and a renewal option appears in the Creator Dashboard.
How does a creator renew a campaign?
The creator signs in from the project page, chooses a 30, 60 or 90-day extension and provides a progress update for supporters. The renewal date and new funding-period end date are then shown on the project page.
What happens if a campaign is not renewed?
Once the closing date has passed, the campaign is marked Closed and new contributions are disabled. The public project page remains visible for transparency. The creator may later renew it by signing in and supplying a current progress update.
Who approves social media posts?
Every proposed social media post is sent to you before publication. You decide whether to approve it, edit the wording, request a different version or simply skip it.
Nothing will ever be published on your behalf without your approval.
What about other languages?
Promotional posts can be prepared in multiple languages. When creating your campaign, you choose a primary language and, if appropriate, additional languages. FundMyMusic prepares separate native-language versions for each audience, helping you reach supporters internationally while keeping your message consistent.
Can I keep raising funds?
Yes. Reaching your funding target does not automatically close your campaign. Many musical organisations, ensembles and educational projects require ongoing financial support. You may continue receiving contributions until your funding period ends or renew your campaign for a further funding period.
For supporters
How do I support a project?
You can discover projects on the FundMyMusic home page, browse the Featured Projects page or explore all current campaigns on the Discover page.
Once you have found something you would like to support, simply follow the donation process. You can choose the amount you wish to contribute and complete your payment securely through Stripe.
FundMyMusic does not receive or store your card details. All payments are processed securely by Stripe.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. Payments are processed securely through Stripe.
FundMyMusic does not receive or store your card details, and your card number is not visible to FundMyMusic. Stripe handles the payment process and applies its own security and verification systems.
Will I receive confirmation of my donation?
After making a donation, you will receive confirmation of your payment from Stripe.
FundMyMusic does not issue separate receipts for donations. Your Stripe payment confirmation serves as your record of the transaction.
What happens if a project does not reach its target?
This depends on the project.
Some projects might still be possible with partial funding, while others might depend on reaching the full target. The project page should explain whether the target is essential or whether any funds raised can still be used.
Before donating, supporters should read the project description carefully and decide whether they are comfortable supporting it on that basis.
Can I request a refund?
Refunds are not automatic. If you believe a donation was made in error, you should contact the project creator or follow the refund process provided during payment.
Refunds are handled through Stripe and depend on the payment method, the project and the FundMyMusic Terms and Conditions.
Note: Refunds are primarily the responsibility of the project creator. FundMyMusic’s platform fee is not normally refunded unless the refund is required because of a platform error, duplicate payment or other exceptional circumstance.
Are projects guaranteed?
No. FundMyMusic provides the platform, but each project is the responsibility of the creator.
Supporters should read the project description carefully before donating. FundMyMusic might review, pause or remove unsuitable projects, but it does not guarantee that every project will be completed.
What if I suspect a project is fraudulent?
If you believe a campaign contains misleading information or is not being conducted honestly, please contact FundMyMusic immediately. We take all reports of suspected fraud seriously and will investigate them promptly.
Where appropriate, we may request further information from the creator, suspend the campaign while enquiries are made or remove it from the platform. Campaigns found to breach our terms and conditions may be closed without notice.
FundMyMusic has a policy of cooperating fully with the appropriate law enforcement authorities in any country where a suspected criminal offence is being investigated.
My contribution?
Your contribution helps turn an idea into reality.
Whether you support a performance, recording, publication, research project, educational initiative or festival, your contribution becomes part of the funding that enables the project to go ahead. Every contribution, large or small, helps bring music to life.
Project updates?
Yes.
Campaign creators are encouraged to keep supporters informed throughout their fundraising journey. Updates may include progress towards the funding goal, rehearsal or recording news, project milestones and, after the campaign has ended, information about the project’s completion.
If you choose to follow a campaign, you can receive updates throughout its funding period and see how your contribution has helped bring the project to life.
How will I choose a project?
Most supporters first discover a project through a social media post, a personal email or because a friend, family member or colleague has shared the campaign with them.
If you decide to explore further, FundMyMusic offers projects from across the musical world, including performances, recordings, publications, research, education and festivals. Every campaign explains its aims, funding target and progress, helping you decide which projects you would most like to support.
How can I tell whether a project is still active?
Each project displays its current status, funding-period end date and most recent renewal. Creators must provide a progress update when renewing.
What happens when a funding period closes?
New contributions are disabled. The project remains visible for transparency and may reopen if the creator supplies an update and renews it.
What happens if a project does not reach its target?
Funds raised are still transferred to the creator. A project’s FundMyMusic campaign may be only one of several sources of funding, so falling short of the displayed target does not necessarily prevent the project from proceeding. Creators are responsible for explaining how the available funds will be used and keeping supporters informed of any significant changes to their plans.
How will my contribution be used?
Every project includes information explaining how contributions will be used. Before supporting a campaign, you should read the project description and funding breakdown so you understand how your contribution will help the project.
Why FundMyMusic?
FundMyMusic is dedicated exclusively to music and related cultural projects. Rather than being listed alongside thousands of unrelated appeals, projects are presented within a community of musicians, scholars, ensembles, publishers, festivals and supporters who share an interest in musical culture. This helps creators reach an audience that already understands the value of their work.