Introducing

🪙

The Wishing Well
Network

A community crowdfunding platform where small contributions create life-changing moments — one penny, one wish, one person at a time.

Share Your Story See How It Works
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The Origin

It started with a penny.

"I honestly believe that no one will feel it's a hardship to send a penny to me."
— Mike Hayes, 1987

In 1987, an 18-year-old named Mike Hayes asked 2.8 million strangers for one cent each. They said yes. He raised $28,000 — enough to put himself through the University of Illinois — before the internet, before social media, before crowdfunding was even a word.


The Wishing Well Network was born from that same belief: that small, frictionless giving can be the most powerful kind. When the ask is tiny, generosity becomes instinct.

How It Works

Drop your wish.
Watch it fill up.

1
✍️

Share Your Story

Individuals create a campaign — education costs, medical bills, a fresh start. Authenticity is the currency here.

2
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The Network Spreads It

Campaigns are amplified through our affiliate partner network, matching stories with the communities most likely to care.

3
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Small Gifts, Big Impact

Donors give what feels easy — $1, $5, a spare dollar. Low friction means more people participate.

4
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Goals Get Met

Funds go directly to the campaign creator. Transparent, milestone-based releases build donor trust.

Why Wishing Well

Built on a different philosophy.

Most platforms ask for big donations from a small group. We flip the model — tiny contributions from a massive community, powered by a network of trusted affiliates.

🤝 Affiliate-Powered Reach

Our commission-based partner network distributes campaigns organically, meaning more eyes without a costly ad budget.

💧 Low Friction Giving

We design for impulse generosity. The easier the ask, the wider the reach — the Hayes Principle in action.

🎓 Purpose-Driven Focus

Education, medical, personal goals — causes people actually rally behind, not abstract charity buckets.

🔍 Radical Transparency

Every campaign shows exactly where money goes and when. Trust is our most important feature.

Revenue Model

How we sustain the mission.

Multiple honest revenue streams — none that compromise the donor or creator experience.

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Platform Fee

A small 3–5% fee on funds raised. We only earn when creators succeed.

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Optional Donor Tip

Donors can tip the platform at checkout. Voluntary, transparent, and surprisingly effective.

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Affiliate Commissions

Partner organizations earn a cut for every successful referral they bring to the network.

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Boost Features

Optional paid campaign promotion for creators who want more visibility, faster.

The Vision

What if every wish had a network behind it?

The Wishing Well Network isn't just a fundraising tool. It's a movement rooted in the radical idea that generosity scales when the barrier to give is nearly zero. We're building infrastructure for hope.

$0to start a campaign
∞potential donors
1¢minimum contribution
Get In Touch

Drop Your Wish

Share your story.

Tell us what you're raising for and why it matters. Attach any documents that help bring your wish to life — acceptance letters, medical paperwork, photos, anything that builds trust with the network.

Thank you. Your story is now in the well — we'll be in touch soon.

Up to 3 files. Total upload size limited to 8 MB.

By submitting, you agree we may contact you about your campaign. We never share your story without permission.