EPIC CHANGE: Make Loans. Tell Stories. Change the World!
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Idea Description
Epic Change has developed a unique approach to changing the world: we help people in need share their "epic" true stories in innovative, creative & profitable ways to help them acquire the financial resources they need to create positive "change" in their communities. Our 4-step model:
1. Raise seed money: We accept donations from people like you!
2. Invest in a change: We make loans to support grassroots community improvement projects across the globe.
3. Share the story: To facilitate loan payback, we work with our partners to develop products for sale based on their stories.
4. Pay it forward: We recycle repaid loans to fund new projects.
For more, go to www.epicchange.org.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
Our next step is the completion of our proof of concept, which involves the construction of a school in Tanzania and, subsequently, the development of storytelling products that will be used to generate income to pay back the loans we're providing for construction. Such products may include postcards with photos by the children, greeting cards with photos of the children, a CD, a line of t-shirts that features their art, etc. All products will share stories about the school & its students.
Four classrooms have been completed so far & next steps include the school's first-ever library, solar power, flushable toilets, playground equipment, a school van & additional classrooms.
Comments
Add a commentI hope you all will consider supporting this excellent cause! Go to http://www.epicchange.org to see pictures, videos and a ton of other information. Also, be sure to check out the blog at http://www.epicchange.org/blog to get a unique, firsthand account of the incredible stories surrounding Epic Change's first project in Tanzania.
Please help the children of Tanzania , they are our future !!!!
It is refreshing seeing ideas that change the world...this is one that can have a powerful impact on the world. Please keep in touch, I'll be happy to lend my support to your cause, I've done a lot of fund raising so I can share some ideas that might work for you.
Thanks sevenworld - please send me an email at stacey@epicchange.org so we can keep in touch after the competition wraps up. We'll be looking forward to building a library at our school in Tanzania soon as well, so perhaps you could help out there too. I love the Sneetches!
This is truly an amazing story. I have been to Moivaro village in Tanzania where you have built the school and I know first hand the impact this type of work has on the community. I applaud your hard work and fortitude in this effort and will work to help you raise money and awareness for this important "epic change".
Hey! Met you two amazing people at the Craig's List Non-Profit Bootcamp! I am so proud of how far you have come since summer! This is amazing! "Let love Lead" is having a blast in South Africa using "Love To The World" as our platform for transformation (http://lovetotheworld.org). Our work overlaps so we should collaborate! CONGRATULATIONS! Fabulous work!
I feel like I'm not cool. I don't know you guys. Can we hang out?
Questions I need advice on
- Q1.
- We'd like to democratize our donor base, and focus on developing small gifts from many people. What are some ideas you have for reaching a broad network of potential donors and volunteers? In particular, how do you engage donors and volunteers who have little direct experience with your cause? Respond
- Q2.
- We're currently looking for pro bono professional assistance with accounting and financial reporting. Do you know of any great resources for such individuals or, optimally, a firm that may be willing to donate their services to a registered 501c3 organization? Respond
- Q3.
- Do you have any creative ideas for products that can be designed and/or manufactured by primary school students, parents and teachers in Tanzania, that share their stories in some way, and that may have mass market appeal? What ideas do you have for marketing such products? Respond
Click here to give general advice
Advice
Check out your local bar association for a list of area firms that give pro bono services. Small Business Development Centers should also provide guidance on how to set up a 501. Law schools tend to have clinics for non-profit law as well. Hope this helps.
There is a wonderful company called LoveInc here in Melbourne that matches the resource skills of Christians in the area with people who have a need. There are a lot of professionals involved in this group, maybe you could find a pro-bono accounting resource through them. Number is 1-800-777-5277.
Also, the local schools are always looking for interesting penpals to help the kids practice their writing and general letter-writing skills. Maybe you could do something with that...
How about fabric dolls? They would be relatively easy to make and could be created in traditional Tanzanian patterns or styles. The dolls could also come with small books with stories about the doll and/or life in Tanzania. You could try a "collect then all" strategy by creating a variety of dolls individually named with different stories.
You could create a learning module for elementary school students that teachers could use to introduce their students to geography, Africa, different cultures, etc. This could be combined with universe_rules' idea of a letter exchange. If the module came with some small inexpensive items that were created by the Tanzanian school children it would be a powerful learning tool. You may also be able to get funding from a foundation or company to provide the modules and items free of charge to schools.
Regarding marketing, there are many sites on the Internet that focus on selling fair trade and native made products. You could also look at stores like Ten Thousand Villages which sell such products through re…more
Please help us win $10,000! 170 kids in Tanzania are counting on us!