Lesson 1

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If you do not intend to seek funding for your project proceed to Lesson 2.

Seek funding for your dream project

You have now some experience on running your dream project. Either you want to continue or you don't want to continue. If you continue, you have decided that you need funding to continue. During Kidlink's I Have a Dream project you might have got some funding but now you decide that to let your dream grow more funding is needed. It is important to imagine that you have all the money you need and can create a dream plan for your project. Imagine that you have all the money you need. When you have finished go through all the issues and decide what you can do with your current finance. Put those issues in a box. Then outside the box put everything that you cannot do without funding. What do you have and what do you need? Then make a plan for the funding you need in order to realize your dreams. The basic line is that you believe in your dream and want to see it grow.

Remember while you are working on this lesson the team of judges is selecting the 5 best projects as semi-finalists before the general voting on the overall best project. Take care that everything is well prepared for that.
 

If you have added members or coaches to your team don't forget to add them on your project page.

Some find it difficult to go and ask for money to see a dream come true. For every yes you might get there might be 30 refusals. So it is important not to give up. While you believe in your dream you focus hard on finding some economical source so the dream project can grow.

Before you address an organization, institution or a company to ask for funding it might be clever to find supporters. In this module you should seek both supporters as well as funds. Supporters can support your application for funds. You can ask for a letter of recommendation from e.g. those you plan to help with your dream, an organization working in similar or related field, from people that have authority in the field, famous people, teachers or others that you think would support your request for funding.

Here are some suggestions on how you might work on your funding plan. Feel free to add or delete any suggestions based on what to you and your team seems best.
 

Decide where you will present your application for funding or support:

1. Brainstorm what local organizations, institutions or companies you might ask for funding. Make a list.
2. Brainstorm what remote organizations, institutions or companies that you can't visit personally as you ask for funding. Make a list.
3. Find addresses, locations and names so you know exactly whom you are going to contact.

1. Get information on the organization, institution or company you are going to contact so you know something about them once you get there.
2. What is your audience like?
3. What is likely to influence them?
4. What issues from your dream should you put in focus? Do you have to have more than one type of presentation depending on who is in the audience?
5. What is your backup plan in case the presentation does not go as expected? (for example, because the promised overhead projector is not available)

Remember that it might not be good to rely on only one source of funding and it is always good to have a backup. Maybe it would be better to ask for smaller amounts in more places than the whole amount you need in one place.
 

Prepare a ten minute presentation:

1. What: - The overall goal of your dream. What is it about?
2. Why: - Justify your dream.
3. Who: - Who is on the dream team and who will benefit?
   1. The team members and their countries
   2. Prove that your team can ensure continued work.
   3. List ways you recruit team members.
4. Where: - How wide does your dream reach around the world?
5. How: - How will you achieve your dream? Now is the chance to ask for funding. Be clear on what you are asking for.
   1. Who will benefit from your dream project? Be specific.
   2. When will the project take place?
   3. How will it take place?
   4. Who will support the plan?
6. Try to find out what is available for your presentation. For example: Overhead projector, projector to connect to your computer. If needed and possible try to take what you need with you. Expect the technology to fail at worst moment and have something on paper to give copy of your presentation to the audience to read while you talk.
7. Create a summary leaflet to leave behind so that your audience has something to reflect on the dream project when they are making their decision on funding.

1. Were you satisfied with your presentation?
2. Did the audience ask questions you didn't expect? Can you prepare so that you can answer them next time?
3. Did the audience point out issues to make your project better?
4. If they said no to your request for funding, did you ask them for a letter of recommendation for your dream project?

1. You might not get the answer right away. Sometimes people need to refer to others or have a meeting to discuss if they should fund your project. Get clear information when they want to be contacted again and remember to do so then.
2. If you have written an e-mail or a letter, make a phone call a week later or after an appropriate time to see if your letter or e-mail reached the right person. Ask when you will get further information.
3. Make notes about what has to be done and what you have finished. Mark results. Send information to your group.

Remember to have a backup plan. What if you don't get funding? What will you do? Try again later? Lay the project aside for a while? Something else?

To Lesson 2