- 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 university tuition dream with a goal of $22,000. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.
Milestone 1
$5,500 · 25%
Confirm first study period
Post an enrolment record, the first tuition payment receipt and a budget linking fees to the funded study period.
Milestone 2
$5,500 · 25%
Fund the second period
Share the next tuition receipt, a current registration record and receipts for course materials bought for this period.
Milestone 3
$5,500 · 25%
Cover the third period
Upload tuition and housing payment records for the third study period, with account and address details hidden.
Milestone 4
$5,500 · 25%
Close the funded year
Post the final tuition receipt, a redacted study-status record and a summary of spending across the funded year.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a university tuition dream in Atlanta, shown in USD. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.
Example goal
$22,000
- Tuition and academic fees$14,300 · 65%
- Books and course materials$2,200 · 10%
- Campus travel costs$1,100 · 5%
- Housing and living essentials$4,400 · 20%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $22,000
- Platform fee (15%)
- −$3,300
- You receive
- $18,700
Risks to plan for
- R1
Fee deadlines precede teaching
Tuition can be due before a study period begins. Put actual payment dates in each milestone and explain how you will cover bills before Backers review and release their shares.
- R2
Course materials change
Reading lists and practical course requirements can change after registration. Price confirmed essentials first and reserve part of the materials budget for later course lists.
- R3
Housing spans term breaks
Rent and basic living bills may continue when classes pause. Show which weeks the goal covers and distribute those costs across the four study periods, including relevant breaks.
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 fund one academic year rather than my whole degree?
A defined academic year can make the goal easier to explain. List the study periods, tuition deadlines and living weeks included, and make clear that later years are outside this goal rather than implying the full degree is covered.
Do I need to share my grades with Backers?
You can demonstrate tuition spending with paid invoices and redacted registration records instead of publishing grades. Describe that proof choice in advance so Backers know what they will review for each study period.
Ready when you are
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