http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell- 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. 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. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:19:45 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment7970 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment7970 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 retail locations. In addition, there are hundreds of catalogs for which your products might be appropriate additions. Try contacting the direct marketing association as many of those catalog companies are probably members. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:17:36 -0600 advice http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#advice1018 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#advice1018 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. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:17:20 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5864 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5864 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. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:22:10 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5854 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5854 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. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:21:31 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5853 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5853 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. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:30:26 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5713 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5713 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. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:22:01 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5711 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5711 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. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:32:02 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5668 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5668 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. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:33:31 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5624 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5624 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. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:49:31 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5587 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5587 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. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:26:29 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5546 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5546 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. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:03:36 -0600 comment http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5545 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#comment5545 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? Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:59:56 -0600 challenge http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1074 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1074 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? Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:59:56 -0600 challenge http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1073 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1073 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? Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:59:56 -0600 challenge http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1072 http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/rss/1770-EPIC-CHANGE-Make-Loans-Tell-#challenge1072