For someone who has lost a limb, the journey back to independence often begins with a prosthetic. But here’s the truth—prosthetics, especially advanced ones, are expensive. Even when insurance or government schemes help, there’s often a big gap left to cover.
This is where crowdfunding comes in. In India and across the world, families are turning to platforms like Milaap, Ketto, and ImpactGuru to raise money for prosthetic devices. And it works—if done the right way.
But many campaigns fail, not because people don’t care, but because the page is poorly set up, the story is unclear, or common mistakes reduce trust.
At Robobionics, we’ve seen patients and families raise lakhs successfully through crowdfunding. We’ve also seen others struggle despite having genuine needs. That’s why this guide exists—to help you understand how to create a strong campaign, write a compelling pitch, and avoid pitfalls.
If you or someone you love needs a prosthetic and is considering crowdfunding, this article will give you every practical step you need.
Let’s begin.
How to Set Up a Crowdfunding Page
Choosing the Right Platform
The first decision is where to host your campaign. In India, popular platforms include Milaap, Ketto, and ImpactGuru. Each has its own strengths. Milaap is known for healthcare campaigns, Ketto has strong visibility, and ImpactGuru often partners with hospitals.
What matters most is trust. Donors are more likely to give if they recognise the platform and believe their money will reach you. Avoid unknown or unverified platforms. Stick to ones that already have healthcare success stories.
Creating Your Account
Once you pick a platform, you’ll need to create an account. This usually requires:
- Your basic details
- Bank account information for receiving funds
- ID proof such as Aadhaar or PAN
Most platforms also verify your campaign before going live. This protects you and builds trust with donors. Make sure every detail matches your documents to avoid delays.
Setting a Realistic Target
One of the most important choices is your funding target. If your prosthetic costs ₹2.5 lakh, set your target close to that number.
Avoid setting it unrealistically high. Donors feel more motivated to contribute when the goal looks achievable. A target that seems too large may discourage people from giving.
At the same time, don’t set it too low. If the prosthetic really costs ₹2.5 lakh, but you only ask for ₹1 lakh, you’ll still be left struggling. Balance honesty with practicality.
Adding Photos and Videos
Visuals are the heart of your campaign. People give when they connect emotionally, and photos or videos create that connection.
Use clear photos of yourself or the person in need. Include a short video where you or your family member explains what happened and why a prosthetic is needed.
Keep it simple, authentic, and heartfelt. You don’t need fancy editing—just honesty.
Writing the Perfect Pitch
Start With Your Story
Begin your campaign description with your personal journey. Share who you are, what happened, and how losing a limb has affected your life.
Write as if you’re speaking directly to a friend. Keep sentences short, simple, and warm. Donors want to know the human being behind the fundraiser, not just the medical details.
Explain the Need Clearly
After telling your story, move to the practical need. Explain which prosthetic you need, how much it costs, and why this device is the right choice.
For example: “I need a below-elbow bionic hand called Grippy™. It costs ₹2.5 lakh. My insurance covers ₹70,000, but I still need help raising the remaining amount.”
This level of clarity shows donors exactly where their money will go.
Show the Impact
Donors don’t just want to fund treatment—they want to fund transformation. Tell them how the prosthetic will change your life.
For instance: “With this prosthetic, I will be able to return to my tailoring job and support my family again.”
Impact-driven storytelling inspires generosity.
Promoting Your Crowdfunding Page
Share Within Your Inner Circle First
Your first supporters are always friends, family, and colleagues. Before asking strangers, share your campaign with those who know you personally.
Send them the link through WhatsApp, email, or direct messages. A small contribution from your circle not only raises initial funds but also makes your page look active. New donors feel more confident when they see others already giving.
Use Social Media Wisely
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are powerful tools for spreading your campaign. Post updates with photos and short stories. Avoid sounding like you’re begging—instead, share your journey openly and invite people to be part of it.
If possible, ask friends to re-share your campaign. This multiplies your reach beyond your immediate network.
Approach Local Communities
Offline promotion still matters. Speak to community leaders, religious groups, or local associations. Many are willing to support or at least spread the word.
Sometimes a single community event can raise more than weeks of online efforts. Never underestimate the power of local connections.
Building Donor Trust
Be Transparent About Costs
Donors often hesitate if they’re unsure where their money is going. Share the exact prosthetic model, cost estimate, and any insurance or NGO support you’ve already received.
The more open you are, the more confident donors feel. If you’ve already arranged part of the cost, mention it. People respect honesty.
Post Regular Updates
Donors want to see progress. Post updates every few days—even small ones. Share when you’ve crossed 20%, 50%, or 80% of your target. Share when you attend medical check-ups or fittings.
Updates remind people to give and encourage them to share your page with others.
Thank Your Donors
Even a simple thank-you message makes a big difference. Platforms often allow you to send messages directly. If not, post a public thank-you update. Gratitude builds trust and encourages repeat giving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Setting Vague Goals
A campaign titled “Help me” without details rarely succeeds. Donors want to know what exactly they’re contributing to. Always be clear about the prosthetic, the cost, and the expected outcome.
Hiding Personal Details
Some people feel shy about sharing their story. But the less information you provide, the weaker your campaign looks. Donors give when they connect with you personally.
Ignoring Promotion
Many fundraisers go live and then wait for donations to appear. Crowdfunding doesn’t work like that. You must actively promote your page, share it regularly, and engage with people.
Giving Up Too Early
Some campaigns start strong but slow down. This is normal. Don’t quit after the first week. Keep sharing updates, reaching out, and asking politely. Many campaigns pick up again toward the end.
Advanced Tactics for Reaching Bigger Donors
Approach Local Businesses
Small and medium businesses often want to give back to their community but don’t always know how. Crowdfunding campaigns can be their opportunity.
Visit shops, offices, and factories in your area with a printout of your campaign. Explain your story and invite them to donate directly through the platform. Many may contribute or even share the campaign with their customers.
Connect With Alumni Groups
If you studied in a school, college, or training institute, reach out to alumni groups. Former classmates are often more than willing to help someone from their own network. Alumni groups have also been known to raise large sums when they rally together for one cause.
Target Diaspora Communities
People from your region who live abroad often support causes back home. Ask friends and family to share your campaign with overseas communities. Even small donations in foreign currency can add up quickly when converted into rupees.
Collaborating With NGOs for Crowdfunding
Why NGOs Can Amplify Your Campaign
Many NGOs already run donor networks and mailing lists. If they believe in your story, they may help spread your campaign to their supporters.
Some NGOs also co-host fundraisers with individuals. This adds credibility because donors see the NGO’s name alongside yours.
How to Approach Them
Prepare a simple application with your story, documents, and campaign link. Write to NGOs that focus on disability, rehabilitation, or healthcare. Even if they can’t donate directly, their endorsement can boost your reach.
At Robobionics, we have partnered with NGOs to co-host crowdfunding campaigns for patients who needed advanced prosthetics. These collaborations doubled visibility and speed of fundraising.
Storytelling That Multiplies Impact
Focus on Transformation, Not Just Need
Most campaigns talk about what happened: the accident, the amputation, the financial struggle. But successful campaigns also show what will happen after the prosthetic.
Paint a picture for donors:
- “With this hand, I can write my exams and finish college.”
- “With this leg, I can return to my shop and support my family.”
When donors see the future you’re aiming for, they feel part of your journey.
Keep It Real and Personal
Use simple words. Share small details. If you’re a mother, mention how the prosthetic will help you cook for your children again. If you’re a student, talk about holding books or typing on a laptop.
These small, relatable images stick with donors more than numbers or statistics.
Use Testimonials
If your doctor, teacher, or employer is willing, include a short statement from them in your campaign. A doctor can confirm the medical need. An employer can say they’re ready to take you back once you recover.
This builds confidence and reduces doubts for potential donors.
How to Sustain Momentum During a Campaign
Keep Sharing Updates
Most campaigns start strong in the first few days and then slow down. This is natural, but you can keep momentum alive by sharing updates. Post when you cross milestones like 25%, 50%, or 75% of your goal.
Updates don’t always need to be big. Even a message like “Thank you for helping me cross 40% of my target—every rupee brings me closer to my prosthetic” keeps donors engaged.
Involve Supporters in the Journey
Ask early donors to share the campaign with their networks. People are more likely to donate when they hear about the fundraiser from someone they trust.
You can also ask friends to record short videos supporting your cause. When shared, these create fresh waves of attention.
Add a Sense of Urgency
Donors respond when they feel time matters. If your fitting date is coming up, mention it. Say: “I need to raise the remaining ₹60,000 in the next two weeks to confirm my prosthetic fitting.”
This motivates people to act now, not later.
Managing the Funds Responsibly
Use the Money Only for the Prosthetic
Donors expect their money to be used exactly as promised. Keep your spending focused on the prosthetic and related medical needs. If there’s any change in your plan, update your donors immediately.
Transparency is key. Misusing funds not only damages trust but also makes it harder for others in need to crowdfund successfully.
Keep Records and Receipts
Maintain copies of invoices, hospital bills, and payment confirmations. Share some of these (with sensitive details hidden) in your updates. This shows donors their money went where you said it would.
Inform Donors After Purchase
Once you’ve received your prosthetic, post an update with photos or a video. Show how it has changed your daily life. Donors love seeing the outcome of their contribution—it makes them feel part of your transformation.
Building Long-Term Trust
Stay Connected Even After the Campaign
Your relationship with donors doesn’t end once the campaign closes. Stay connected with them, especially the ones who gave larger amounts. Send a thank-you message even months later.
These supporters may help you again if you need repairs, upgrades, or other medical costs in the future.
Share Your Progress
If the prosthetic helps you return to work, study, or daily activities, share that story. Donors feel proud when they see the lasting impact of their help.
Some may even become long-term mentors or supporters in your journey.
Help Others After You
One of the best ways to honour your donors is by helping someone else in the future. Share crowdfunding campaigns of other amputees. Offer guidance from your own experience.
When donors see you paying kindness forward, it builds a circle of trust and compassion that benefits the entire community.
Do’s and Don’ts of Crowdfunding for Prosthetics
Do’s
- Be transparent. Share your medical need, exact prosthetic model, and cost. Transparency builds donor trust.
- Stay active. Post updates regularly. An active campaign feels alive and urgent.
- Show gratitude. Thank donors publicly and privately. Gratitude encourages repeat giving.
- Tell stories, not statistics. Donors connect more with your daily struggles and future dreams than with medical jargon.
- Leverage your network. Start with friends and family, then expand outward. Early support makes strangers more confident to give.
Don’ts
- Don’t exaggerate. Keep your story honest. Over-dramatisation can backfire if donors feel manipulated.
- Don’t disappear. Silence after receiving funds damages trust. Always close the loop with updates.
- Don’t overprice. Asking for an inflated amount reduces credibility. Show authentic cost estimates.
- Don’t rely only on strangers. If your immediate circle isn’t supporting you, outsiders are less likely to help.
- Don’t delay withdrawals. Once funds are available, use them quickly and share proof of usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I crowdfund if I already have partial insurance coverage?
Yes. In fact, sharing that insurance covers part of your cost shows donors you’re taking responsibility. They’ll be more willing to help fill the gap.
How much can I realistically raise?
It depends on your network and story. Many prosthetic campaigns in India raise between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Some go higher with strong promotion.
Will donors trust me if I ask for a bionic hand instead of a basic one?
Yes, if you explain why the advanced prosthetic is necessary for your job, studies, or independence. Clarity is key.
How long should my campaign run?
Most campaigns run for 30 to 60 days. Longer campaigns are possible, but they need frequent updates to keep momentum.
Final Thoughts: Crowdfunding Is About Community
Crowdfunding is not just about money—it’s about people coming together to restore dignity and independence. For someone who has lost a limb, every donation is a step closer to walking again, holding again, and living again.
But success doesn’t happen by chance. It takes a well-set-up page, a strong pitch, active promotion, and a lot of honesty. When done right, crowdfunding can unlock opportunities that once felt impossible.
At Robobionics, we’ve walked alongside patients who raised funds successfully. We’ve guided them in writing their story, setting realistic goals, and even connecting them with NGOs and CSR partners for extra support.
Your Next Step
If you or a loved one is considering crowdfunding for a prosthetic, let us help.
When you book a free demo with Robobionics, you don’t just try the prosthetic—you also get:
- Guidance on setting up a crowdfunding campaign
- Sample pitches and application support
- Advice on combining crowdfunding with CSR, NGO help, or EMI
- Access to our network of partners who amplify campaigns
Visit https://www.robobionics.in/bookdemo/ and take the first step.
Because a prosthetic is more than a device—it’s a lifeline. And with the right support, your community can help you reach it faster than you think.