The Rockstar Foundation is currently not doing as well as we hoped.
We were planning on enrolling another 4 students in 2011, but do not seem to have the financial resources to realise our goal. In exploring ideas to generate more funding, my husband recently suggested that we change the site so that it’s not so “happy” (part of his “V2″ plans). Dumb idea, I thought (to myself).
The site is happy cause we’re dealing with kids here – young girls who like bright colours and who giggle at everything. Even when life hands them some dry bread instead of a bag full of skittles. The site represents these kids and they’re not sad. They are, have been, and most probably will most of the time be happy, in spite of their social pre-disposition. Why? Cause they remain positive in difficult circumstances and are generally content with less.
Upon placing the girls in their new academically supreme schools, it provided them with challenges, like fitting in, adapting and surviving the perplexing curriculum. These girls survived and are now, even more than ever, excited about learning! That’s why we know this Foundation will soon become an enormous success. Only problem is, we have all the resources, save for the most important one: financial aid.
We need you to give the Foundation some of your money and ask your friends to do the same. We have 4 candidates that we wish to place in good schools. All of them showed a severe aptitude for learning. Their parents were also interviewed by a social worker, ensuring us that they will assist us with their support.
Think about it: just because your parents paid for you to go to a good school, doesn’t mean there are other people who are as lucky. The only difference between you and these girls is that they love every minute of their academic career. Let’s face it, there were some days where I thought High School was actually spelt P R I S O N. We have recruited girls who cannot wait to engulf a text book, who are too eager to finish their home work and who want to know *why* the abbreviation Dr doesn’t end with a full stop. They want to *become* doctors and lawyers, engineers and entrepreneurs. Why not give them the platform?
Let’s give them something that they can one day give back, the gift of education.
By making a once off donation or by becoming a member of the Foundation, you walk around with the knowledge that you made a difference in some girl’s life. With your consent, we’ll create your own profile so that you can tell the readers why you have decided to get involved. You’ll be able to monitor their academic progress and can play an integral part of their education. You can also pledge to support a girl for an entire term or year resulting in us being able to post another picture of a smile on the site!
These girls stay positive, let’s give them something to really smile about.
This makes me so sad. These girls deserve the opportunity to be as successful as they can be. I know that we chatted about linking Rockstar Foundation with an event like Two Oceans, but I get the feeling that people are inclined to say ‘no’ to extra donations after they’ve paid to run the race (which also funds a charity if I’m not mistaken).
I have absolutely no idea of the logistics involved, but maybe Rockstar Foundation could host a road race/concert/event etc to get the general public to donate to the Foundation? Entry fee would be a direct donation, etc. I see how profitable this is for a school like Jan Kriel, which hosts a race every year in the school area or the SPCA, who host a walk-a-thon.
I might be pulling at imaginary strings, but I think that the more the general public experienced the Rockstar Foundation, more donations in money/clothing/books, etc might be filled. I don’t know if this is an angle worth persuing, but I’m so hopeful for the Foundation’s success!!
Hi Jeanne,
If you guys are keen on publicity, try approaching some community radio stations about interviews, live mentions etc. Its hard to get this via sales people, so ask to speak to someone in the production dept. Most radio stations will also allow you to purchase airtime at a 1:1 rate if you are a registered NGO. You can even potentially negotiate that they produce a free commercial/branding mention for free. I would try talk radio stations first, like 702fm in JHB and 567 Cape Talk.
Julie
Hello,
I wanted to make a donation, I need the name IRS charitable name to place on the check. I also need your EIN# for verification. Thanks
Thanks Shawn; I’ve just e-mailed you.
I think what you’re doing is amazing but it needs some dedicated input. I also agree with Rene that you need to do your own fundraising. I’ve got a great idea that I think may be more sustainable than the traditional fundraising methods. Friend me on Twitter and we can chat.
Dedicated input is difficult unless we have the funds to allocate to hiring a volunteer or a team of volunteers. And it’s a classic chicken vs egg situation: do we first hire dedicated help or do we use the little funds we have available to fund the girls?