Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo have facilitated thousands of projects for artists and entrepreneurs. In exchange for donating, some perk or nod of recognition may come your way. You may have even contributed to a project without a promise of something in exchange, understanding that, while you’re supporting something you believe in, you will never get those dollars back.

But now: imagine that you might get those dollars back. And imagine that you might even get a return on your investment. This is where the plot thickens.

This is investment crowdfunding.

This month, the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRDTM) team ventures out from the East Coast to the Delta, the Sonoran desert, and the high plains to meet our four 2018 selected communities. This year’s workshops focus on Main Street revitalization, multimodal transportation, and healthy living by design: three distinct topic areas that have proven to be especially relevant to rural towns in the United States.