Former Google Executive Launches Crowdfunding Platform for Education

Today, AngelScholars launches, creating a crowdfunding solution to the scholarship system providing a new and unconventional way of giving back. The unique platform is a better funding and networking engine for students and the people who want to help them.

A recent poll concluded that 63% of Americans would donate more to educational scholarship programs if they could be assured of two simple things: control over how their funds would be used, and more say in who received them¹. AngelScholars was conceived and designed to address that desire.

"For as little as $50 dollars AngelScholars makes it possible for people to get involved, have a personalized impact and have control over their donations much like that Phil Knight got when he donated $400 million to Stanford," said Peter Hazlehurst, former CEO of Google Payments Corp., Director of Product Management for Google Wallet, and COO of Postmates.

Five years ago, Hazlehurst wanted to encourage his high school in Australia to invest more in computer science, so he set up a scholarship to help kids that were great engineers pay for their tuitions. Meeting and working with the kids was incredibly rewarding and offered an opportunity to give back in a way that mattered to him. The most recent winner, Brendan, set himself a goal of going to college in the US. Determined, Brendan performed really well on his SATs, but unfortunately knew that his dream was just out of reach: As an international student, scholarships were hard to get, and he couldn't afford to go. Brendan reached out to Peter in July of 2015 to explain the situation and something clicked. Knowing that the power of micro-financing (small amounts accumulating for large returns) could scale funding, Hazlehurst realized that crowdfunding for education could solve this. AngelScholars was born.

"With AngelScholars, all it takes is a little money, an idea of who you want to support and the willingness to ask for help from your friends on Facebook and Twitter. We do the hard work and verify the Scholars, while also facilitating a connection with them. We'll make sure the money is spent wisely, and we let you see the impact you are having," Hazlehurst said.

AngelScholars:  Funding Education in a New Way

Scholarships can be as specific as a coding camp for African-American high school students based in Oakland with a 3.0 GPA who are studying STEM, or as general as school uniforms for kids whose parents make less than $25,000 and live in Atlanta. Want to give money to a Scholar to attend your alma mater? You can do that.

Angels are encouraged to form a relationship with the Scholar, with funding as the start – rather than the end – of a journey. It's not just transactional; it's about really supporting the Scholar throughout his or her life.

"I benefited first hand from the power of a targeted scholarship, and I wanted a way to make my experience more of the norm than an outlier," says Hazlehurst "We're using technology and social networks to remove typical barriers to funding education. All that's left is the desire for an Angel to help kids in a way they believe in, and students who share these same dreams."

Get Involved.

AngelScholars launched in beta June 14. Getting involved is easy. All you have to do is:

• Dream. - Think about exactly what you'd like to do. And who you'd love to help.
• Act. - Post your Scholarship on www.AngelScholars.com. From start to finish, it only takes a few minutes and as little as $50.
• Share. - Invite your Facebook friends and other social contacts to join. AngelScholars will match you with your Scholar. Once the match is made, let the journey begin.

ABOUT ANGELSCHOLARS

Located in San Carlos, CA, AngelScholars PBC is a crowdfunding platform launched in 2016 to connect a new generation of donors seeking a more impactful engagement with students who need funding. Starting with as little as $50, anyone can easily create or fund a scholarship that they personally believe in. Alternatively, scholars can find and apply for unique opportunities or run their own campaigns based on their unique needs. 

Visit www.AngelScholars.com to start or support a scholarship.

1: May 2016.  Poll of 1,000 adult Americans conducted by Opinions4Good on behalf of AngelScholars.

Contact:
Blair Curzi
[email protected]
1-617-379-5247

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160613/378834 

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160613/378755LOGO

SOURCE AngelScholars

Related Links

https://www.angelscholars.com