New crowd-funding site hits Winnipeg to send donations to Nepal

A new kind of crowd-fundingwebsite is coming to Winnipeg,and the first donationsto be collectedwill be sent to Nepal for emergency services following Saturday's earthquake.

• Nepali death total rises to more than 4,000
• Relief workers wait to get into Nepal to help

Winnipeggers are joining the global relief effort in responding to the devastation caused by the earthquake,and one method of raisingmoney is called "rewards-based crowd-funding."

JyotiBalharais busy putting the final touches onThe Donation, which is expected to be up and running this week. (Those who areinterested can already use thesite if they have a PayPal account.)

It starts with a cause or a campaign,Balharatold CBC'sRadio Noon, which is then sponsored by a local business.

That business chooses what type of reward system it wishes to contribute to the campaign. Then, when people donate money to the cause, they're given a reward from the business.

This model is being tested by raising funds for Nepal emergency relief. With a minimum donation of $5, the donorreceives a coupon for 10 per cent off their next purchase at Winnipeg'sEast India Company Pub and Eatery.

Balharabelieves Winnipeg's Nepali community is giving the money to the Red Cross for itsefforts in the country.

'It's for the human race'

Balhara said this method of fundraisingaddsthe benefit of supporting local businessto philanthropy.

The rush was put on the completion of the site because of the need after Nepal's earthquake.

"Canadian are also connected to it. Many of us aspire to go to Mount Everest and the Himalayas to serve our adventurous spirit," Balhara said."It's for the human race."

Balhara said responding in times of need is important because even though this earthquake occurred on the other side of the world, the next disaster could just as easily hit Canada.