Study
Innovation & MarketsNew This WeekStrong effect

Clearer, Longer Project Descriptions Boost Sustainable Crowdfunding Success by 15%

Detailed and easily understandable project descriptions significantly increase the likelihood of a sustainable crowdfunding campaign reaching its funding goals.

Journal of risk and financial management · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01Project description word count is positively related to crowdfunding success.
  • 02Project description readability is positively related to crowdfunding success.
  • 03The use of SDG keywords in project descriptions is positively related to crowdfunding success.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize detailed, jargon-free project descriptions that clearly articulate the value proposition and sustainability impact to maximize crowdfunding potential.

How to apply

When developing a crowdfunding campaign, ensure the project description is at least a certain length (e.g., over 500 words), uses clear language, and explicitly mentions relevant sustainability goals or impacts.

Project actions

  • 01When describing your design project, aim for clarity and detail.
  • 02Consider how you can naturally integrate keywords relevant to the project's impact or market.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat is the relationship between the length, readability, and use of sustainability-focused keywords in crowdfunding project descriptions and the success rate of sustainable projects?
MethodQuantitative analysis
ProcedureA multiple logistic regression model was employed to analyze data from 12,613 reward-based crowdfunding projects on Kickstarter. The study examined the correlation between project description word count, readability scores, the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) keywords, and campaign funding success.
Sample12,613 projects
ContextReward-based crowdfunding platforms (e.g., Kickstarter)

Variables

IV["Length of project description (word count)","Readability of project description","Use of SDG keywords"]
DVCrowdfunding success rate
CV["Platform (Kickstarter)","Project type (sustainable)","Funding model (reward-based)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Large sample size provides robust statistical power.
  • +Focus on a specific niche (sustainable crowdfunding) adds targeted insight.

Limitations

The study is based on existing crowdfunding data; direct experimental control over description elements was not performed. The definition of 'success' is tied to funding goals, not necessarily long-term project viability.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliance on a large dataset and established statistical methods enhances its reliability. Validity is supported by the focus on specific, measurable variables (word count, readability, SDG keywords) and their correlation with a defined outcome (funding success).

Think critically

To what extent does the 'length' of a description correlate with genuine substance versus mere verbosity, and how can designers ensure their detailed descriptions are both informative and engaging?

05

Design Principles

"Information clarity and relevance are key drivers of market adoption and investment."

For designers and entrepreneurs launching new ventures, particularly those with a sustainability focus, the way a project is communicated is as crucial as the product or service itself. Effective project descriptions build trust and clearly articulate value, which are essential for attracting investment in a competitive market.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making your project description longer, easier to read, and full of words about being good for the environment helps you get more money when you ask people to fund your project online.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of clear communication and market positioning for your design project's success.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2025). The Role of Project Description in the Success of Sustainable Crowdfunding Projects. Journal of risk and financial management. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18040200 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/4c66c18f-76b8-4188-992d-19e550873678/clearer-longer-project-descriptions-boost-sustainable-crowdfunding-success-by-15

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that the clarity and detail of project descriptions significantly influence crowdfunding success, particularly for sustainable ventures. A study analyzing over 12,000 projects found that longer, more readable descriptions, and the inclusion of sustainability-focused keywords, positively correlate with achieving funding targets, suggesting that effective communication is a critical factor in market adoption.

09

Source

Journal of risk and financial management

The Role of Project Description in the Success of Sustainable Crowdfunding Projects

journal · 2025

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about clearer, longer project descriptions boost sustainable crowdfunding success by 15%?
Prioritize detailed, jargon-free project descriptions that clearly articulate the value proposition and sustainability impact to maximize crowdfunding potential. Evidence: Journal of risk and financial management (2025).
Why does "Clearer, Longer Project Descriptions Boost Sustainable Crowdfunding Success by 15%" matter for design?
For designers and entrepreneurs launching new ventures, particularly those with a sustainability focus, the way a project is communicated is as crucial as the product or service itself. Effective project descriptions build trust and clearly articulate value, which are essential for attracting investment in a competitive market.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize detailed, jargon-free project descriptions that clearly articulate the value proposition and sustainability impact to maximize crowdfunding potential.
What were the main findings?
Project description word count is positively related to crowdfunding success.. Project description readability is positively related to crowdfunding success.. The use of SDG keywords in project descriptions is positively related to crowdfunding success.
What research method was used?
Quantitative analysis with 12,613 projects.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Journal of risk and financial management.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing a crowdfunding campaign, ensure the project description is at least a certain length (e.g., over 500 words), uses clear language, and explicitly mentions relevant sustainability goals or impacts.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on reward-based crowdfunding and may not generalize to other funding models. The specific impact of different readability metrics or the nuances of 'sustainability' communication were not deeply explored.
Is there evidence that project descriptions affects design outcomes?
Longer, more readable project descriptions, especially those incorporating sustainability-related terms, are more likely to succeed in crowdfunding campaigns. For designers and entrepreneurs launching new ventures, particularly those with a sustainability focus, the way a project is communicated is as crucial as the pr Source: Journal of risk and financial management (2025).
Where does this sustainable crowdfunding research apply?
Reward-based crowdfunding platforms (e.g., Kickstarter) It sits within innovation & markets research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

project descriptions design research · evidence on project descriptions · does project descriptions improve design outcomes · sustainable crowdfunding studies for designers · project descriptions and sustainable crowdfunding findings · innovation & markets research evidence