Confessions of A Social Entrepreneur

DoSomething.org is the country's largest not-for-profit for young people and social change. They have 2,215,655 members (and counting!) who kick ass on causes they care about. Bullying. Animal cruelty. Homelessness. Cancer. The list goes on. 

DoSomething.org provides seed grants for community projects, scholarships, internships, media coverage, and ton of other project related support. The site also has a grants database that lists other organizations that award similar funding. Applicants do not have to be 501c3 nonprofit.

The website is freaking awesome!!! Check it out. Leave a comment to share what you think.

http://www.dosomething.org/campaigns

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The business model is the foundation of any business. It is the success or the demise of a business idea. It answers the questions of who? what? when? where? why? and how? 

For the person thinking of starting a business, you will want to give much thought to how you structure your business model. When I first started Grant Source, I knew I wanted to eventually work myself out of the day-to-day part of the business, but to still earn full-time income. It took me six years, but I can honestly report that I have arrived! The question is, HOW did I do it???

1. First, I built a strong product (grant writing services) with excellent outcomes ($3 million in grants won).
2. Second, I automated the delivery of that product (hire people to do the work for me and I make a profit off their work).
3. Third, I diversified my product line (workbook, trainings, grant writing, one-on-one consulting) to create multiple ways of earning income.

Do you have an idea that you would like to turn into a Profit-ABLE business? Check out a video I did on business idea brainstorming. After watching, let me know what you think by leaving a comment. Also, if you need assistance bringing your business idea to life, book a Business Modeling Consultation on the Services page of the website.

Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2rOrc-cRos

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If you're not going to the bank for a loan to start or expand your business, I propose a 15-page business plan isn't necessary. Yes, I do have the 15-pager, but I rarely use it. My everyday plan is a 1 page chart that lists my 2-3 most immediate goals. Each goal lists 1-2 objectives as well as as benchmarks and action steps.  

This business planning process is simple for me. I'm a visual learner and I need information to be succinct, presented in a visual format, and concise. I keep it taped to my window behind my desk where I can see it at all times. For small businesses and nonprofit start-ups, this is business planning made EASY! To see the video and an example of the 1-page business plan, follow this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8D_jdkz7hs to watch the video.

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Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are matched savings accounts that help people with modest means to save towards the purchase or building of a lifelong asset, such as a home, starting a business, or going back to school. The amount of the match will vary depending on each Grantee's Federal allocation. I have known programs to match between $1 and $4.

This means that for every $1 saved by the participant, the IDA matches between $1-$4. For example, if the match is 1:2 and the participants saves $1,000, the IDA program would match with $2,000, for a total savings of $3,000.

To learn more about IDAs, visit The Corporation for Enterprise Development's (CFED) website. CFED is a national nonprofit that helps low- to moderate-income households build and preserve assets. Follow the link, http://cfed.org/programs/idas/directory_search/, to search the IDA Directory to find an IDA program near you.

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Walmart's Local Giving Program awards grants of $250 to $2,500 through each of the Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs and Logistics facilities.

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Grants are like free money for small businesses: Unlike loans and other debt, grants don’t typically require you to pay anyone back. Of course, finding and qualifying for public or private funds takes some effort. To help make the process a bit easier, here are five potential sources of grants for small enterprises and entrepreneurs.

1. State and Local Agencies — The federal government doesn’t make general grants to small businesses, but your state or local government may offer other financial-assistance programs, such as low-interest loans. Contact your state’s economic development agency as a starting point. This online directory lists local and international agencies, too.
2. Uncle Sam — As noted, the Feds won’t send you general grant money just for starting or expanding a business. However, the U.S. government does offer specific funding programs, many of which are available to small businesses and entrepreneurs that meet certain criteria. Examples include health-related research and green product development. Grants.gov offers a comprehensive search tool for federal monies.
3. Opportunity Fund — This California nonprofit offers a mix of microloans, microsavings, and commercial real estate financing to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its 2012 Start-Up Funding Challenge awards grants of $2,000 to $5,000 — but you’ll have to hurry, as the application deadline is April 15. Located elsewhere? Look online or ask around in your community about nonprofit organizations that promote entrepreneurship and business ownership through similar programs.
4. Amber Grants — Sometimes a modest amount of money can have a major impact. The Amber Foundation Grants have been supporting women entrepreneurs since 1998. The grants, usually $500 to $1,000 each, are intended to help with “the small but essential expenses that can often make the difference between getting started or being forever stalled.”
5. Love a Local Business — Intuit’s Love a Local Business grant competition has given more than $1.1 million to winning small businesses since its inception. Nominations are a great way for fans — customers, employees, vendors, and others — to recognize and reward your business. This month, one small business will win a $25,000 hiring grant. For more information, click here.

Of course, grants aren’t the only means of securing additional funds. To explore other financing options (beyond traditional bank loans), check with The SBA and services such as the Intuit Loan Finder and Multifunding.com.

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Help Support Causes in Your Community!
Did you know you can support nonprofit organizations in your community just by shopping at Kroger? It's easy when you enroll in Kroger Community Rewards®! To get started, sign up with your Plus Card below, and select a local organization you wish to support. Once you're enrolled, you'll earn rewards for your chosen organization every time you shop and use your Plus Card!

Giving More Back to the Community!
Kroger is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations will earn millions of dollars through Kroger Community Rewards®. Our program was designed to make your fund-raising the easiest in town…all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

Enroll now for the Kroger Community Rewards Program. And remember…all participants must re-enroll each year to continue earning rewards for their chosen organization.

Are you a member looking to enroll with your Kroger Plus Card? Are you an organization looking to apply to Kroger Community Rewards®? Follow this link to be directed to the Kroger Community Rewards page: http://www.kroger.com/community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx. 

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Amazingly simple graphic design. Search and drag simplicity. It's online and free to use. Choose from one million stock images and hundreds of fonts. You can even collaborate with anyone anywhere. 

Canva.com is a new website that offers professional graphic design for FREE. You don't even have to know how to use power point, photo shop or any of the other publishing software. They've made it easy!

To learn more about how you can create professional looking flyers, presentations, facebook covers, blog graphics, business cards, posters, and invitations, check out the new website at www.canva.com, and reserve your username.

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PNC Neighborhood Wishlist lets people submit community projects for a chance at up to $500 in grants. Then friends and family vote and share to help them get funded! To learn more, watch the video, or visit www.PNCNeighborhoodWishlist.com.

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