 "The Big Return"
A high-yielding project where community leaders leverage the power of their community’s youth to affect positive change with multiple levels of impact. This project is being launched by Randomkid for St. Louis youth, in collaboration with the Lee Institute. If you are visiting this page, and want to launch The BIG Return in your area, please email us at BigReturn@randomkid.org.
PROJECT INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS:
(please scroll down for youth groups and schools information)
Over the last 5 years, RandomKid has been giving kids seed money to launch their ideas to help others. We learned that for every $1 given to a youth project, they bring back $3 to $10 for their cause. That's a 300%-1000% return for your charitable dollars. Can't think of a better investment than that.
So RandomKid decided to launch THE BIG RETURN, also known as the "WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN Scenario".
WIN: There is no better return for a charitable investment, if the past is any indication of the future.
WIN: Schools and youth groups benefit with the youth’s causes (kids are invited to split the funds they raise between their causes and their schools/youth groups)
WIN: Youth come away with real world skills (they run the project, though it is administered through their schools and youth groups)
WIN: Youth do better in school (studies support this overwhelmingly)
WIN: Your community benefits
WIN: The world is a better place
WIN: Great PR for local businesses, as the public/media can track each project on our new website.
There's another WIN, too: Donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows
If you are interested in contributing to this effort for youth in your community, or learning more, please contact us at BigReturn@randomkid.org. You can also donate directly through our website. Donations are being accepted NOW.
GOOD TO KNOW: RandomKid requires all their projects to abide by the philosophy that the line between donor and recipient is virtually indistinguishable, which means everyone needs to be empowered by the project. Ex: Kids can learn how to run a business, challenge themselves to run a marathon over a 3-week period, or organize and plant a garden near a local homeless shelter-- all to benefit their cause and themselves.
 FOR YOUTH GROUPS and SCHOOLS:
The projects are funded on a first come, first serve basis. The only competition is to get it in quickly. Proposals will be accepted starting Friday, September 17, 2010 . Be sure you meet the 4 criteria below:
1. Projects must be youth led
2. Teachers/adult leaders must run projects thru their programs (schools or youth organizations)
3. Efforts must be uploaded to the RandomKid website so your community can both pitch in and follow your success. Note: You can choose to have private pages, but you must make the password available to contributing local community leaders. To see a sample project page, click here
4. Must submit a proposal that includes:
*Name of organization or school
*Project description including how youth donors will benefit: At Randomkid, we want everyone to benefit—donors and recipients. Please see our list of project ideas here. You are also welcome to do your own thing. Whatever you choose to do, we are glad to provide products for you to help raise money for your efforts. Kids can choose any wholesale product they want and brand it themselves: http://tiny.cc/randomkidproducts. We have product specialists who can help you with this part. Be sure to include the cost in your budget.
NOTE: You don't have to raise funds--- you can also collect stuff, or whatever you can think of to benefit your community and the world, as long as the results are tangible and measurable.
*Number of youth participating
*Adult who will be administrating the program: Include your job title
*Contact info for adult: Phone numbers, email address/es
*Clear need: What problem are you trying to address?
*Measurable result: What will your project provide that makes a measurable difference?
*Budget: How much do you need from us? Be sure to get an exact number.
Note about funding: RandomKid funds youth projects nationwide using the “pay-it-forward” method. 10% of all funds raised through youth projects are paid forward to help launch other youth projects around the country. We help kids help others on many levels.
*If you are splitting funds: Please indicate what percent goes to the cause, and what percent to your youth organization or school. Include how organizational/school funds will be used, and how many youth will benefit. We encourage you to use the funds for something tangible-- books, technology, equipment, etc.
Ex. 1: “For every $800 we raise, we will add one computer to our media center benefitting 140 students per month, and donate one computer to an inner city school, benefitting another 140 students per month”.
Ex. 2: “For every $200 raised, we will provide $75 worth of modified gym equipment for 27 youth with special needs in our district, and $125 will go to purchasing modified swings for community parks, benefitting 400+ special needs youth.”
All proposals and questions can be sent to: BigReturnProject@Randomkid.org
We will fund projects on a first come first serve basis for all COMPLETE proposals.
Important dates:
NOW: Accepting donations for this project
August 15 , 2010: RandomKid’s new website launches to track projects
September 17, 2010: Accepting youth proposals
November, 2010: THE BIG RETURN officially kicks off-- just in time for the season of THANKS & GIVING!
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