Kickstarter 's first nonprofit fundraising project has raised more than $1 million since it launched Tuesday.
By Friday morning, the campaign, which is raising funds to support refugees, had garnered a total of $1.3 million and will continue running for four more days. The total goal has been set at $1,837,500, which, "could provide immediate necessities and a place to sleep for 7,500 people in need," according to the website.
The funds collected through the crowdfunding campaign will go to the United Nations refugee agency, which has been struggling with a significant lack of funding to deal with the ongoing crisis.
According to the campaign page, Kickstarter decided to join the fundraising efforts at the request of the White House.
"At the invitation of the White House, we’re joining the effort to support their important work. Any money you give through this campaign will go directly to USA for UNHCR to provide aid to people who need it — everything from food, water, and warm clothes to special care for children separated from their families."
Normally the website takes a percentage of funds raised, however with this campaign, all funds will go toward to UNHCR. As the site's first foray into nonprofit crowdfunding, it's launching the new model in a big way.
Kickstarter had prohibited charity campaigns but changed its model earlier this year when it reincorporated as a public-benefit corporation, according to The Atlantic.
One of the site's co-founders told the Wall Street Journal that he wanted to help with humanitarian causes such as the refugee crisis, which was a significant reason for the reincorporation. If you'd also like to help by contributing or sharing, visit the campaign page .