Since it has been almost a year since we started these fundraisers, and we have had many new members, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the details of how the fundraisers work. Here is the announcement that was made last year:
Dear fellow sponsors,
Thanks to your overwhelming support, our fundraising projects have been a huge success! However, there is some concern that, as our campaigns continue, the people benefiting from these fundraisers will not be same people who have been contributing to others with the greatest generosity.
Our FirstGiving fundraising campaigns are based on the concept of 'Pay It Forward', following a model developed by an experimental group of four sponsors. Over the past year, these four developed a money-sharing system that would allow their sponsored children to receive Special Needs gifts more rapidly: instead of each sponsor saving up her money for four months, then each funding her own project, the sponsors contributed the money they would have saved to another child - with the knowledge that the same would be done for her when her child's turn for a donation came around. The beauty of the idea was that three out of the four children involved in the project would receive their donations sooner than they would have otherwise.
FirstGiving uses the same concept, only executed on a grander scale. With more people involved, a little goes a long way, and smaller contributions on the part of many can accomplish great things. The hope is that donors will feel good about helping other needy children, having the underlying belief that their own child's project will eventually be funded in the same manner. Unlike the arrangement between the above-mentioned four sponsors, there is no guarantee that each contributor will receive back precisely the same amount that he/she has invested in the previous projects - which is fine, as long as everyone is aware that the system could break down if it starts relying too heavily on a small core group of donators who may easily become frustrated if they feel they are doing all of the 'work'.
To ensure that things remain fair and somewhat even, in order to have one of your children granted a slot in the next round of fundraisers, you must have contributed at least 25% of your 'asking' amount to previous projects. For instance, if your sponsored child has requested $200 to buy an X-Box … oops, I mean to buy food and school supplies … then in order to start a fundraiser for him/her, you must have already donated a total of $50 to our previous projects. This rule is particularly important as the maximum amount for future projects is being increased to $350. I would like to have seen a sponsor contribute at least $88 to other projects before requesting this much for his/her own child!
*We currently have 3 slots available for a fundraiser. If you would like your sponsor child to have one of those slots, please contact me. If you want your fundraiser to be the $350 amount, you will need to donate $88 to our current fundraiser BEFORE your child gets the slot.
For those who have a fundraiser already scheduled and have not yet donated their 25%, please do so now. Our fundraisers have been struggling, and there are several upcoming projects whose sponsors have not yet donated. That is why it will now be required that the sponsor donates BEFORE their fundraiser gets a slot. This will guarantee that when the time comes for your fundraiser to start, it will start right on time.
To donate to the current fundraisers and get a fundraiser slot for your child, visit these links below:
Yamileisy & Jose Manuel
Michelle
Maria
Dear fellow sponsors,
Thanks to your overwhelming support, our fundraising projects have been a huge success! However, there is some concern that, as our campaigns continue, the people benefiting from these fundraisers will not be same people who have been contributing to others with the greatest generosity.
Our FirstGiving fundraising campaigns are based on the concept of 'Pay It Forward', following a model developed by an experimental group of four sponsors. Over the past year, these four developed a money-sharing system that would allow their sponsored children to receive Special Needs gifts more rapidly: instead of each sponsor saving up her money for four months, then each funding her own project, the sponsors contributed the money they would have saved to another child - with the knowledge that the same would be done for her when her child's turn for a donation came around. The beauty of the idea was that three out of the four children involved in the project would receive their donations sooner than they would have otherwise.
FirstGiving uses the same concept, only executed on a grander scale. With more people involved, a little goes a long way, and smaller contributions on the part of many can accomplish great things. The hope is that donors will feel good about helping other needy children, having the underlying belief that their own child's project will eventually be funded in the same manner. Unlike the arrangement between the above-mentioned four sponsors, there is no guarantee that each contributor will receive back precisely the same amount that he/she has invested in the previous projects - which is fine, as long as everyone is aware that the system could break down if it starts relying too heavily on a small core group of donators who may easily become frustrated if they feel they are doing all of the 'work'.
To ensure that things remain fair and somewhat even, in order to have one of your children granted a slot in the next round of fundraisers, you must have contributed at least 25% of your 'asking' amount to previous projects. For instance, if your sponsored child has requested $200 to buy an X-Box … oops, I mean to buy food and school supplies … then in order to start a fundraiser for him/her, you must have already donated a total of $50 to our previous projects. This rule is particularly important as the maximum amount for future projects is being increased to $350. I would like to have seen a sponsor contribute at least $88 to other projects before requesting this much for his/her own child!
*We currently have 3 slots available for a fundraiser. If you would like your sponsor child to have one of those slots, please contact me. If you want your fundraiser to be the $350 amount, you will need to donate $88 to our current fundraiser BEFORE your child gets the slot.
For those who have a fundraiser already scheduled and have not yet donated their 25%, please do so now. Our fundraisers have been struggling, and there are several upcoming projects whose sponsors have not yet donated. That is why it will now be required that the sponsor donates BEFORE their fundraiser gets a slot. This will guarantee that when the time comes for your fundraiser to start, it will start right on time.
To donate to the current fundraisers and get a fundraiser slot for your child, visit these links below:
Yamileisy & Jose Manuel
Michelle
Maria
2 comments:
I have sent an inquiry about my sponsored kids but Im currently strapped for cash. However, I will donate as soon as possible. Some of these stories really touched my heart.
Cherise,
Should I bump your fundraiser, or do you think you will be able to donate within the next couple of weeks? Also, please send me the pictures and breakdown so that I can set up your page. Thanks!
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