- 01
Gifts, not investments
A backing is a voluntary gift towards a goal. Nothing is sold, no ownership changes hands and no return is promised. Backers support a person; you keep control.
- 02
Why milestones still matter
Without contracts, Backers rely on transparency. Money is held per milestone and released only when you prove progress, so they can give with confidence.
- 03
What you owe Backers
Honesty: a true story, proof for each milestone and updates in chat. Not profits or repayment. If you cannot finish, unreleased money goes back to Backers.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.
15% fee, deducted — never added
Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: $100 gives the Dreamer $85. The fee is kept if money is returned.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a teacher certification dream with a goal of $5,500. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
$1,375 · 25%
Confirm the training route
Post provider enrolment confirmation, an initial payment receipt and a checklist of the stages included in your chosen route.
Milestone 2
$1,650 · 30%
Complete core teacher coursework
Share course fee receipts, a module completion record and a redacted plan for the upcoming supervised teaching placement.
Milestone 3
$1,375 · 25%
Undertake classroom placement
Upload placement-related receipts and a redacted attendance or supervisor confirmation without pupil names or school records.
Milestone 4
$1,100 · 20%
Submit final assessment work
Post assessment payment records, submission confirmation and a redacted provider update on your certification progress.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a teacher certification dream in San Francisco, shown in USD. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
$5,500
- Training provider fees$3,025 · 55%
- Books and teaching resources$825 · 15%
- Assessment and application fees$1,100 · 20%
- Placement travel expenses$550 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $5,500
- Platform fee (15%)
- −$825
- You receive
- $4,675
Risks to plan for
- R1
Routes have different requirements
Certification routes can involve different coursework and assessments. Confirm your chosen provider’s requirements before setting the goal and list only the stages your budget covers.
- R2
Placement timing can slip
A supervised teaching placement may start later than expected. Keep placement travel separate from coursework costs and explain how a changed start date affects assessment timing.
- R3
Assessment may need revision
Submitted work may need revision or another assessment attempt. State whether the budget includes that possibility and avoid making certification itself the only acceptable final proof.
Questions and answers
Do I have to pay Backers back?
No. Money released for completed milestones is yours. Money still held for unfinished milestones can go back to Backers under the Backing Policy, minus the platform fee.
Can I share classroom work as evidence of my placement?
Use a supervisor confirmation or redacted attendance record rather than pupil work or classroom photographs. Backers can review placement spending and participation without seeing children’s names, images or school records.
Does completing the funded course guarantee certification?
Certification is not guaranteed. Tie the goal to coursework, placement and assessments you plan to complete. Use submission or progress records as proof without promising a final certification decision.
Ready when you are
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