Starting a community service project

brainyartist · 08-07-2008, 02:01 AM

In my freshman year of high school I started a group called Happy Day Cards, an organization to craft and collect handmade greeting cards and mail them to soldiers in combat and recuperating in hospitals such as Walter Reed in Washington D.C. Over the last four years I conducted seminars and card-making sessions with local church and scouting groups and at my great grandfather's assisted living home. I have created a website, (well actually a blog) and attempted a card drive, asking digital artists to contribute card designs (which was rather unsuccessful).

I'm taking a year off before going to college and would really like to take Happy Day Cards to the next level. Any suggestions on how to get a community service project really up and running? Who should I contact and what should I ask? What resources could I tap into? How did you guys get your projects off the ground?

Emily

brainyartist · 08-07-2008, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the move! I wasn't quite sure the best place to put this.

Northstarmom · 08-07-2008, 09:43 AM

About 20 years ago, I created a community service project that involved giving new books to poor kids. It eventually was adopted by organizations in at least 17 states.

What I think helps is coordinating with a corporation that would benefit from your project, which is what I did by partnering with newspaper companies and bookstores. What comes to mind in your situation is crafts stores. They would benefit because people making crafts would buy the materials at their stores. Meanwhile, the crafts stores could host gatherings and training sessions for people who wish to have their organizations make the cards.

The store also may be willing to fund a brochure that would include how to put together the cards, and where to send them.

You also may wish to make Happy Cards a 501c3 nonprofit. That, however, takes about a year to do. You need to create a board and do other things. You can Google to find out info.

PlattsburghLoser · 08-07-2008, 11:06 AM

You might want to ask Nikki - Bottled Sky | Whimsical Art & Design - if she'd be willing to donate a couple designs for the cards. She makes really cute cartoons - Illustration Bottled Sky - and print designs - Nikki Brion Web Design & Illustration -

brainyartist · 08-07-2008, 02:40 PM

Northstar Mom- What a great idea. There is a local Michael's in the area (although I might start off with a few smaller local chains first) and I'll stop by today. Is it difficult to start a 501c3 nonprofit? I'd like to continue this once I get to Brown so a year is not too long to wait.

PlattsburghLoser-I'll go ahead and ask her. I had one wonderful artist donate a few cards before and they were beautiful.

Thank you both for the advice!

Emily

Northstarmom · 08-07-2008, 05:28 PM

Check out the Echoing Green foundation site to see if there's a way to tweak your project so it could qualify for their grants.

Here's a create a greeting card scholarship contest: Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest - Gallery Collection, Business Christmas Cards

Check out the Do Something Plum Grants: Do Something | Plum Youth Grant Application

Also camera and photography shops might be good sponsors.

brainyartist · 08-08-2008, 01:02 AM

Northstarmom-Those scholarships looks great! I applied to the Cosmo Girl Born to Lead scholarship a few weeks ago and I've been on the hunt for some more.

Thanks for the tip!

Emily