YouTube has recently announced YouTube Giving - a fundraising tool that allows artists and creators to use their voice on YouTube to support the charitable causes they care about. Right now this tool is mostly available to channels with over 100,000 subscribers, but there are some channels under 100,000 subscribers that may have access to a beta version of this tool. Continue reading for more details.

Right now, there are two ways for artist channels to participate in a YouTube Giving campaign. The first option is for artist channels that are enabled for monetization and have more than 100,000 subscribers based in the US, Canada, or UK. This option lets channels create a fundraiser for US-based 501(c)3 entities. This allows the channel owner to select a non-profit and start their own fundraising campaign, as well as edit and allow other artists and creators to join the campaign. Additionally, YouTube is providing beta access that will allow some monetizing channels in US, CA, UK with less than 100,000 subscribers to join existing fundraisers for COVID relief efforts. Channels with over 100,000 subscribers are also able to join any existing fundraiser.

With both options, viewers can donate to the fundraising campaign directly from your public videos, premieres, and live streams with the "Donate" button and Live Chat Donations. Along with a long list of US-based non-profits, channels also have the opportunity to fundraise for COVID19 response efforts like those set up by MusicCares, WHO, CDC Foundation, UNICEF, and more.

To set up a fundraiser, first log into your channel, and go to the Giving section of YouTube Studio. Follow the steps below, or watch this video with instructions on setting up your fundraiser:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Monetization, then Giving. 
3. Click Get started, then Create a fundraiser. 
4. Select the available 501(c)(3) US nonprofit that you would like to support.
5. If the eligible 501(c)(3) US nonprofit you’d like to support isn’t listed, select “Request a nonprofit.” Learn more about available nonprofits. 
6. When you request a nonprofit, you’ll receive an email within five days, once it has been reviewed. 
7. Once the nonprofit has been added, continue with setting up. 
8. Follow the instructions to add details to the fundraiser, like title, description, and collaborators. We also suggest setting a fundraiser goal and duration. You can change it at any time.
9. Add videos, and/or scheduled live streams & premieres that you’d like to feature the donate button on. If you deliver your official music videos through VEVO, you’ll need to work with VEVO to get the donate button on those videos. 
10. Select PUBLISH.

To join existing fundraisers, including ones for COVID19 relief started by other creators, like MusicCares and the World Health Organization’s COVID19 Relief Fund, you can follow these instructions below:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio. 
2. From the left menu, select Monetization, then Giving. 
3. Click Get started, then Join a fundraiser. 
4. Choose from the list of available community fundraisers. 
5. Add videos, and/or scheduled live streams & premieres that will feature the donate button. If you deliver official music videos through VEVO, you’ll need to work with VEVO to get the donate button on those videos.
6. Select PUBLISH

Now is a great time to join a YouTube Giving campaign, so please reach out to us with any questions!