The crowdfunding platform that helps independent content creators, Patreon, announced this Thursday that it suspended the page of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called “Come Back Alive”, which was raising money for the Ukrainian army.
This, after the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, warned that clashes between the forces of both countries were inevitable and would initiate a “total invasion” of Ukrainian territories. After the speech, the first attacks and explosions were recorded in Skoviansk and in the capital, Kiev.
The reason for the suspension of the campaign
The Kiev-based foundation, founded in 2014, last received money in August, said Taras Chmut, Patreon Director for CNBC.
His Patreon page, according to the Daily Dot, dates back to May 2020 and in this year he had 936 backers earning around $19,000 a month.
But with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its membership list ballooned to more than 14,000 backers, who contributed an estimated $436,966 per month. After the invasion that took place on Wednesday night, the NGO began to receive donations, which came in at more than $300,000 and less than $1,000.
“Come Back Alive” was using the fundraising platform to distribute bulletproof vests, medical kits and helmets to Ukrainian soldiers.
The Director of Patreon clarified that on the site it is prohibited to use the site for the purchase of military equipment:
“Patreon does not allow any campaigns involved in violence or the purchase of military equipment, regardless of their cause,” the spokesperson told CNBC.
It is not yet known what happened to the funds raised by the platform, on Thursday when users tried to enter the organization’s page, it was read that it had been eliminated. However, the Director of Patreon told CNBC that when a page is removed, their policy is to either send the creator any remaining funds or refund all pledges.
Patreon is committed to not supporting violent causes, and for this reason, it disabled the account with which the training of soldiers, as well as technical equipment, was being promoted, according to the platform’s blog.
To support the tragedy, the creators page will support charities and platforms such as the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Voices of Children, and Revived Soldiers Ukraine, among others.
Patreon’s strength in attracting fundraisers to creators picked up steam from March 2016. The number of subscribers peaked in June 2020, with a total of 192,965 creators, indicate data from Statista.
To obtain financing for the Ukrainian army, the NGO has other means
It should be clarified that fundraising in armed conflicts is not something new, CNBC indicates that “Come Back Alive” has provided mobile surveillance systems, televisions and other equipment.
In addition, the NGO has other ways to collect donations: “a bitcoin wallet code appears on its website and donations have arrived, but the Patreon page is a more convenient way for foreigners to donate”, concluded the Director of the platform.
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