I’m posting my column for April a little early because, while the project I describe here is ongoing, the researcher has set a milestone deadline for today.

What do an independent film based on a memoir, a new studio album from a popular ’90s band, and an equine parasite research study have in common? More than you might think: a notably creative person at the helm and a plea to the masses for financial support. This type of appeal is called crowdfunding. The project leaders cast a vision for the outcome and emphasized that even $5 here or $20 there would help see the project to fruition.