
Have you heard about Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a way to fund creative projects. You can basically crowdsource funds for a project. Its an all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. That means, if you need $5000 to get your project off the ground and you only get pledges for $2000, no money exchanges hands. That way, you don't have to try to get a $5000 project off the ground with only $2000 and no one will be expecting you to try.
On the other side, do you have a spare $10 you would like to invest in a worthy cause? Pledge to support a fledgling book project, film or other venture. You'll feel good and you'll be supporting someone who needs funds to make their dreams a reality.