Earth Day: Crypto Fundraising Platform Launches Carbon Offset Program

In an apparent bid to commemorate World Earth Day, Pledge, a crypto fundraising platform for non-profits today announced the launch of its patent-pending carbon offset initiative, where every crypto transaction made will support verified carbon offset projects.

The mining process connected to how cryptocurrency is logged on the blockchain uses significant energy and contributes to global carbon emissions.

Therefore, PledgeCrypto was inspired to commission the award-winning environmental consulting firm, Three Squares Inc, to conduct a cryptocurrency environmental impact assessment to quantify the carbon emissions of cryptocurrency transactions made on the PledgeCrypto platform, the company said in a statement issued here.

"At Pledge, we fundamentally believe that unlocking crypto donations will provide an abundant new source of funding for nonprofits around the globe, but the process needs to be done in a sustainable way,” said James Citron, CEO of Pledge.

“Inspired by our core values of care and community, we wanted to respond to environmental concerns about crypto, which is why we are proud to lead with the first-of-its-kind patent-pending invention to ensure that every crypto transaction through Pledge will support UNverified projects. This ensures that PledgeCrypto will not only be the most accessible way for donors to donate their digital assets and for nonprofits to receive them, but also in the most environmentally conscious way in the industry,” he added.

Eight of the most used cryptocurrencies were evaluated in-depth to quantify the emissions associated with a single transaction. This in-depth analysis factored in the total estimated energy of the cryptocurrency, matched with published recent transaction volumes.

A weighted electricity emissions factor was derived based on the regional breakdown of transaction locations around the globe. Multiple data sets were also used to ensure optimal data integrity.

While the final emissions will vary based on the energy used, location, and the currency being donated, Pledge estimates that roughly every 100 donations will generate approximately 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To compensate for this environmental impact, Pledge will cover 100 percent of the carbon footprint of each donation transaction at no additional cost to donors or nonprofits using PledgeCrypto.

Fundraising Platform Pledge Launches 'PledgeCrypto' Allowing Non-Profits to Accept Donations in Crypto

Crypto For Good: Ariana Grande opens #TransDayofVisibility Fundraiser to Crypto Donations with PledgeCrypto

Pledge Fundraising Platform Launches PledgeCrypto for Nonprofits to Instantly Transfer Donations from Crypto to Fiat

Fundraising platform Pledge on Tuesday announced the launch of “PledgeCrypto,” which allows nonprofits to accept crypto donations in over 130 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), and Tether, and instantly convert them to fiat.  

Popstar Ariana Grande, who has launched her ‘Protect and Defend Trans Youth Fund’ on the platform, has pledged to match up to $1.5 million of her own money in donations.

“Over 300 hundred million people around the world hold cryptocurrency today and want more than ever to support the causes they care about,” says James Citron, CEO of Pledge. “Now we’ve made it seamless for anyone to support the world’s largest network of 2+ million verified charities and for charities everywhere to seamlessly accept cryptocurrencies and further power their mission.”

PledgeCrypto offers a free, fully-integrated fiat and crypto donation platform in the industry, where donations go directly to verified nonprofits. The platform allows a non-profit to start accepting crypto donations in minutes with no technical experience, crypto wallet, KYC or contract required.

Building on the successful campaign launch with Ariana Grande, additional nonprofit launch partners for PledgeCrypto include The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles, Big Brothers and Big Sisters LA, Streetcode Academy, Worthy of Love, Safe Place for Youth, CoachArt, Goodie Nation and Taraji P Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. Additionally, to compensate for the environmental impact of crypto mining and transactions, Pledge is also launching a feature where every crypto transaction will support verified carbon offset projects via the United Nations Climate Neutral Now Initiative.

PledgeCrypto allows a nonprofit to start accepting crypto donations in minutes with no technology experience required. Any user has the option of either creating a fundraiser page to accept crypto donations for a specific campaign or cause that connects multiple nonprofits or embedding a donation form and button directly on a website, all of which can be accessed through the nonprofit’s Impact Hub.

Medical Alarm Technology Firm GPSOS to Raise up to $600K in Equity

Whanganui based GPSOS Limited first released their medical alarm technology last year, after a friend of the founder, Mark Simmonds, was unable to activate their standard medical alert pendant due to a stroke. In response, Simmonds developed an alarm that was able to travel with you, had two-way talk functionality and fall detection (among other features). A year later, the company is now expanding their influence through equity crowdfunding.

Many of the users of GPSOS are part of the disability community. Recognising this, GPSOS’ Chief Operating Officer Scott Lee has worked to ensure all aspects of the company are accessible. Through Workbridge, an employment agency for disabled people, GPSOS has hired 25 people with disabilities.

“If we’re supporting customers with disabilities, then we must hire people with disabilities. We want to use our company to provide opportunities. Our product has always been about enabling people to be confident navigating the world around them, (and) we want that to be the same in our workplace” says Scott Lee.

“GPSOS represents the future of business in New Zealand: locally founded, authentically inclusive, and customer centered – with world-leading technology to boot.” says Mark Simmonds.



GPSOS is working with equity crowdfunding platform PledgeMe to grow their business and ensure their impact continues to enhance New Zealand’s people and economy.

“We’ve spent almost four years building our technology and our team; now we need the final funds to scale.” says Simmonds.

GPSOS is seeking to raise between $250,000 and $600,000, which represents 9.4%–20% of the company. Shares are $5 each with a minimum investment of $100 for 20 shares. Investors which pledge over $50,000 will receive voting shares.

“Please invest in a company that cares about people, regional employment, and the community. We can do this together.” says Simmonds.

The equity crowdfunding campaign launched on Wednesday 3 June at 4pm here: https://pledgeme.co.nz/investments/406-gpsos-limited

Disability Employer Downlights to Raise upto $300K through Equity Crowdfunding

Downlights Limited, which has recently raised $100,000 through wholesale investors, says they will go out to their crowd for their next capital raise. They are aiming to raise funds to move from their home into a factory, and increase their production and impact.

“We believe crowdfunding through PledgeMe will provide Downlights with an opportunity to bring in broad members of the community that share the same inclusive views as we do.” says founder Jennifer Del Bel.

Ms. Del Bel started Downlights when she met Emma Sykes, a woman with Down syndrome who struggled to find employment after completing her high school education. Since they started making candles together, Downlights has captured national media attention and the eye of major international celebrity, George Takei.

Downlights has also established the Downlights Charitable Trust with $1 from every candle sold being donated to NZDSA (New Zealand Down Syndrome Association) and RECREATE NZ, organisations which empower disabled youth through employment and skill-building opportunities.

Downlights is seeking to raise between $150,000 and $300,000 which represents 15.2%–26.2% of the company. Shares are $0.75 each with a minimum investment of $300 for 400 shares. Investors will receive non-voting shares, and those that pledge over $25,000 will receive voting shares.

PledgeMe founder, Anna Guenther, says the campaign aligns well with the platform’s values. “The growth of Downlights has a direct impact on the disability community. PledgeMe loves supporting companies that do good and do well, and that’s why we’re very excited to be working with Jennifer and her team on this campaign”.

“Downlights has impacted so many lives and brought good to so many people. We remain future oriented”, says Ms. Del Bel. Downlights has forecasted a 58% year-on-year growth pending the success of their equity campaign.

"In times like this, we feel our work is more important than ever. We believe we need to be building local, investing local and building companies that make a more inclusive society." says Ms. Del Bel.

The equity crowdfunding campaign was launched publicly at noon on Monday 23 March here: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/investments/390

Downlights was first launched in 2018 in Beachlands by Jennifer Del Bel, Tony Sykes, and Emma Sykes. Jennifer already had 6 years of experience in the soy candle business with her company Illumina (later rebranded to Downlights). She met Tony and Emma Sykes, and they decided to embark on a joint venture together in which Emma would hand-pour high quality soy candles and sell them at a market. The market was a sellout and Downlights became an established company.

Downlights’ primary mission is to support young adults with Down syndrome and intellectual or learning disabilities.

About PledgeMe

PledgeMe provides a platform for Kiwis and Aussies to go to their networks for funding, and has raised just under $49 million for over 1400 campaigns in the past seven years. It is the only combined equity and project crowdfunding platform in the world.