The spread of COVID-19 has created uncertainty and stress for so many in our community, and for creative people all over the world. Over the last week, we’ve heard from creators and backers alike about how it’s affecting them.

Specifically, some creators with current campaigns have expressed the need for some extra time. Creators aren’t typically able to change their campaign’s deadline after launching. But given the circumstances, we are making an exception.

We’re offering a seven-day extension on project deadlines to creators whose projects are live right now.

If you would like an extension, send a note to extensions@kickstarter.com from the email address associated with your Kickstarter project with a link to your campaign.

Here are our suggestions for how to use that extra week:

• First, take a breather—your physical, mental, and emotional health are important.
• Spend some time rethinking the timeline for completing your project, and updating your backers on that.
• Think about adjusting your promotional plans or editing your campaign messaging.
• Rally your backers around the new deadline and ask them to help spread the word about your project.
   

It may feel weird to be putting an emphasis on your creative work right now. But it’s worth noting that throughout all of the major upheavals in history, creators have continued to create: whether it was making tabletop games during World War II, photographs during the Dust Bowl, literature during the plagues of the Middle Ages, or even mermaids on parade in Coney Island post-Hurricane Sandy. While you might have the impulse to hunker down and weather this storm, we urge you to keep creating through it all. It’s important not just in this moment, but for the future of our history and culture.

People come to Kickstarter because they want to help creative projects come to life. We encourage all creators to be sure to keep backers well informed with regular project updates. Now is the time to be transparent about any problems or roadblocks you are facing and to be honest and realistic about how it’s all going.

For creators about to launch a project, you might have some questions. First and foremost, your top priority should be your health and well-being. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, maybe now isn’t the right moment. However, if launching a campaign doesn’t put you at risk, we encourage you to go ahead. Your project might just be what your community needs right now—and we’re here to support you.

It might also be helpful to know that while it’s still too early to understand the full impact this crisis may have on our platform, we do know that we aren’t seeing any noticeable decline in support for live projects. We will closely monitor the situation and continue to explore ways we can support independent creators during this tough time.

To that end, we’ve also put together a few resources for creators in the hopes that you will find them helpful right now:

• Some words of encouragement and empathy from our team.
• Learn how other Kickstarter creators are coping with the coronavirus, from our Head of Design & Tech Nick Yulman.
• Tips from our friends at The Creative Independent for Staying Calm and Centered.
•  Resources for artists from our Arts Outreach Lead Daniel Sharp.
   

If you’re a backer reading this, let’s support some creators through difficult times. Don’t know where to start? Check out the projects we’re loving, and consider backing projects just because you believe in them. Let’s keep making weird, cool stuff to inspire, distract and even help us navigate this turbulentworld.