Crowd funding has emerged as a fabulous way to help out determined creatives in the pursuit of their dreams. Not only can you help projects come to fruition free of the constraints of corporate involvement, but you often have the opportunity to get some cool exclusive goodies in return for your donation. Here are a just a few campaigns underway by bands or other creatives of which I’m already a fan. I plan to throw a few bucks their way, maybe you could, too?

honeyhoney

GOAL: To help the band cover touring costs, including a rental van and Uncle Jiggity!

COOLEST GOODIE: A personalized haiku painted or etched into salvaged materials (part of $100 package)

Learn more about honeyhoney’s campaign on kickstarter.com

Buy honeyhoney’s music

UPDATE (as of 3rd of August): 129% with 13 days to go!

Kill It Kid

GOAL: To help fund the UK band’s first USA tour

COOLEST GOODIE: Handwritten Lyric Sheet (part of £25 package)

Learn more about Kill It Kid’s campaign on pledgemusic.com

Buy Kill It Kid’s music

UPDATE (as of 3rd of August): 72% of target with 26 days to go

The Black Lillies

GOAL: To help the band make a new album and video

COOLEST GOODIE: Get your name stamped in the grooves of the vinyl edition of the new album (part of $200 package)

Learn more about The Black Lillies’ campaign on pledgemusic.com

Buy The Black Lillies’ music

UPDATE (as of 3rd of August): 56% of target with 60 days to go

SAFEHOUSE

GOAL: To help fund the production of an independent short film based in Ireland

COOLEST GOODIE: Invitation to premiere with wine reception (part of €100 package)

Learn more about the SAFEHOUSE campaign on fundit.ie

UPDATE (as of 3rd of August): 109% of target with 3 days to go!

The Hit Producer

GOAL: To help fund the production of an independent feature film based in Ireland

COOLEST GOODIE: Customized beanies and Army-style hats (get both as part of €120 package)

Learn more about The Hit Producer campaign on fundit.ie

UPDATE (as of 3rd of August): 16% of target with 33 days to go