Crowdfunding Campaign for Jamaican Bobsled Team Closes Just Shy of $130,000

In an attempt to aid the Jamaican Bobsled Olympic team get to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, sports fan Lincoln Wheeler innocently set up a CrowdTilt crowdfunding campaign to assist in raising the necessary $80,000.  The campaign was set to “Tilt” at $10,000 (the amount where the campaigns is considered successfully funded and contributions are transferred).  Wheeler had previously used the platform for a small personal campaign so he was familiar with the process.  Little did he realize that he was going to become a catalyst for an international phenomena as donations poured in at an astounding rate from all over the world.  The campaign soon morphed into the “Official” Jamaican Olympic crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost for the 2 man bobsled team trip to Sochi which had just qualified to participate in the Olympic sport.

The CrowdTilt campaign closed last night just days after launching.  Closing early because the funds had far exceeded the required amount.  Contributors numbered 2854 clearing a total raised of $129,899.  Clearly the power of the crowd has found another standard bearer in the CrowdTilt platform.  CrowdTilt CEO James Beshara was quoted as stating;

“This is the Internet coming together. This is something that couldn’t have been done five years ago.”

The entire project received a significant boost from digital currency Dogecoin who donated $30,000 pushing the amount well past the $80K and also generating some much welcomed earned media in the process.

While the Jamaica Olympic Association will cover team airfare and accommodations for the Bobsled team, just as they cover expenses for all other Olympic sports, the donations will be used to cover training expenses, equipment purchases and more prior and during the competition in Russia.  Donations are still be accepted on the Jamaican Bobsled team site.

Congratulations to team Jamaica.  We will all be rooting for you in Sochi.