TartanFunder FAQ

Who are the students or organizations associated with the projects on the TartanFunder site?

The persons/entities that are associated with the projects on TartanFunder, the CMU crowdfunding site, are Carnegie Mellon students, faculty, staff or alumni and/or organizations seeking support for educational and similar projects.

How are projects selected?

Projects are selected after a review process. Among other criteria used for selection, to be eligible for funding, the proposed project must fulfill an educational or similar non-profit purpose at CMU. Persons/entities interested in having projects funded must submit an application identifying the funding, the educational-related or similar non-profit purpose and the proposed use of funding.

Is my payment secure?

Yes. CashNet is the technology used by CMU for processing payments. CashNet is PCI compliant.

When will my credit card be charged?

Your payment will be processed immediately when you finalize it through the site.

Who is considered the donor?

A person is considered a donor if they make a gift with a unique credit card and billing address. The name on the credit card will be the name recorded as the donor.

Is my payment tax deductible as a gift to CMU?

Your contribution is a charitable gift to CMU, designated for the project you have chosen to fund. You may be entitled to a charitable income tax deduction for your gift to CMU because CMU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Does my payment count towards my annual giving to CMU?

Yes. Since your payment is a charitable contribution to CMU, it will be considered your annual gift (or as part of your annual gift) to CMU. Your payment will also be counted toward your membership in CMU’s donor recognition societies, such as the Andrew Carnegie Society.

Is my payment eligible for a matching gift?

Yes. Because your payment is a charitable contribution (gift) to CMU, it will be eligible for matching gifts.

Who should I contact with questions about my payment?

All questions can be directed to  crowdfunding@andrew.cmu.edu.

Are international payments accepted?

Yes. International payments can be made via credit card in U.S. dollars through the site.

What happens if a project is not fully funded or the funds raised for the project exceed the goal?

If for any reason CMU determines that the use of the funds for the stated purpose should no longer be possible or appropriate, CMU may use the funds to support other projects or purposes that CMU believes closely align with the educational and/or charitable intentions of the project. Thus, if CMU determines that (i) the project cannot be performed in whole or in part because it is not fully funded, CMU may use the funds that cannot be used for the project to support other projects or purposes that CMU believes closely align with the educational and/or charitable intentions of the project, or (ii) the funds raised for the project exceed the financing needs of the project (which may occur if the goal is exceeded), CMU may apply the excess funds to support other projects or purposes that CMU believes closely align with the educational and/or charitable intentions of the project.

Is CMU responsible for ensuring that the funds are used as intended?

Yes. Except as noted in the bullet point immediately above, CMU is responsible for ensuring that the funds are used for the project.