If you
are interested in joining us, please fill out the simple application AS SOON AS POSSIBLE so
we can know that you’re interested and HELP YOU with fundraising.
While
the
program itself is free, we do not have funds to cover food, housing,
and travel
costs for everyone. We will help you with fundraising strategies,
tools, and a
venue to channel tax-deductible donations to cover these costs.
Participants must either commit to raising a
minimum of $1200 through tax-deductible
donations to Global Exchange, a 501c3, to cover these basic food, housing, and travel
costs for
themselves (see the Program and Logistics page for details on where the money will go) OR commit
to
identifying how you will support yourself and providing these costs 
yourself.
We’ll
tell you if you’re in and start helping you with fundraising shortly
after we
receive your application. We’ve found from experience that armed with a
sweeping vision and a powerful idea, energetic individuals can get
people to
believe in them.
Unfortunately,
many of us can’t afford to take two months out of our summer for an
unpaid
experiential training program, even if it provides vital applied skills
that
can support future careers. Thus, in addition to the required
fundraising to
support the cost of living, the application includes a “financial need”
statement asking you to state and then explain your funding needs in order to be able to be able to
attend in June and July. Please explain factors affecting your
financial need
and ability to fundraise, including your socioeconomic background or
college
financial aid status. We cannot guarantee this additional funding, but
we are
working as hard as possible to identify such funding sources and will
help all
participants who can raise more to support financial need. We will
continue to
work with you throughout the summer to identify sources of support if
your full
financial need is not met by the start of the program.
Like all of the projects we will be
doing this summer, making this program possible is a collaborative
process that
builds valuable skills, so we’ll be working together to find the
financial
support for all of us to be able to work together and have an awesome
summer! We’ll
check in more thoroughly after you apply, but as a first step we are
providing
you with a
program description and
some sample
request letters to
request support for your participation in this program, and will help
you use
them effectively after you apply. If you have the experience and/or
connections
to large donors to raise more than your stated need, PLEASE do so, as many other applicants do not
have the opportunity and
need all the help you can provide. We can build a better team if we
have enough
support to get people here – and you can build your fundraising skills
in the
process. All
donations will tax deductible through Global Exchange, a
501c3 non-profit based out of San
Francisco. Instructions on how to donate to Grand Aspirations can be found here.
Trying
to raise money can be intimidating, boring, or time-consuming given the
number
of other things to do in a day. Consider this: do you really want to be
spending countless more hours this summer on a job you don’t really
care about?
Taking the time now to approach it carefully and creatively can make
all the
difference. We want to provide as much help as possible, including tips
on effective
fundraising on the reverse side.
One of our
team
members, a college senior, raised over $10,000 through friends and
relatives by
getting them excited about the program and aware of our need. We can do
this!
TIPS ON
EFFECTIVE FUNDRAISING:
Plan ahead
and start early:
if you can outline a time line of when you will try to
access what types of funding and identify several paths for arriving at
the
total goal, you’ll have a better chance of making it. We’ll help you
with all
of this when you apply, so it is important to apply as soon as possible.
Identify
the potential sources of funding. Can you get funding from your school
or academic
department, a church group, youth group, or club, parents, family
friends or
relatives, at fundraising events, or by asking people to sponsor you
(think the
fundraise walk model).
Identify
argument(s) that will resonate most with each potential funder. Is
it the academic/
learning merit of the program, your commitment and engagement, the
program’s
potential to take global warming head-on, or our role in preparing our
communities for energy independence. You don’t have to be limited to
people who
think global warming is a huge issue – just frame your ask differently
if they
don’t.
Make your
pitch clear, concise, and assertive if you have only a short period to
make an ask (an email,
letter, phone call, or brief conversation at a fundraiser). Tell them
what you
are trying to do, a few sentences about why it is important, and ask
them
clearly for help. Do not be afraid to ask, and thank the person even if
the
response is no. The more you can sound confident and clear about your
goal and
ask, the better.
Just be
conversational
if you have extended time with someone you know well; talk
about the program and how excited you are about it and the
opportunities it
will give you. Ask for support when they’re excited about the idea, or
if they
ask about finances.
Don’t be
afraid to ask.
If you ask, the worst thing that can happen is they say
no. If you don’t ask, you will almost certainly not get support.
Use the
sample letters
and the description of the program that we have provided.
In addition to informing you, that is what they are there for. Also
feel free
to adapt them if you need to stress or communicate different points.
Be upbeat
about the program
and your involvement – the more you can communicate the
power and potential in participating in a landmark event uniting youth
from
across the nation to build skills – the better. You will be part of
generating
a nation-wide corps of practically-trained leaders ready to build
climate
solutions in their communities that are good for everyone – that’s cool
and
people will support you if you communicate it in an exciting and
personal
fashion. What is your dream? How will Summer Solutions help you reach
it?
A limited
number of applicants
may be eligible for outside grants and relevant paid work positions
that we
secure – we will notify you of such opportunities after you apply.
As
soon as you apply, we will
contact you to touch base and help jumpstart your fundraising efforts.
There
will be three priority deadlines – April 1, April 15, and April 29 – where
we will review applications in lots – the first deadlines will get
higher
priority. We will accept applicants on a rolling basis, with final
decisions
made by Friday May 9th. Once accepted, you can
participate as long
as your costs of living are covered.
For
help with the application and
funding process, contact: summerofsolutions@gmail.com
