US-based online charity crowdfunding platform Crowdrise has raised $23m in funding in a round led by venture capital firm Union Square Ventures.
The funding round including participation from CAA Ventures and UTA Ventures, the venturing arms of entertainment management agencies CAA and United Talent Agency respectively, as well as Spark Capital, RatPac, Index Ventures and Bezos Expeditions.
Follow-on seed investments came from angel investors including Chris and Tim Vanderhook, the owners of US-based online advertising company Specific Media, and High Line Venture Partners. Crowdrise also received $1.06m funding from an undisclosed investor in January 2014.
Crowdrise is an online platform that helps people and organisations raise money for good causes. Its co-founders include actor Edward Norton and Canadian producer Shauna Robertson.
The company is run as a business and not as a non-profit organisation, but takes between 3% and 5% of the money donated for each cause.
The funding coincides with Crowdrise expanding its platform so that people can fundraise for, or donate directly to individuals, in addition to charities and non-profit organisations.
Crowdrise co-founder and CEO Robert Wolfe said: “We’re thrilled that some of the smartest minds in the technology investment community agree with us and couldn’t be more pleased with the investors we’ve assembled as we grow Crowdrise into a global community.”