Changes

<span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So you have a project to create change in your community but you don't know how to get your school alumni on board? College alumni can be a big help and support system when it comes to getting your projects up and running. We spoke to UIF alum Rodolfo Romañach who now works with Stellup.com, a startup that connects alumni with their universities' need for crowdfunding. He said that most alumni </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">want</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to help out their university, especially when they are engaged with their industry. They want to give back to their community by providing resources (not just money) and help the future of their industries. This wiki will explain the various ways that you can engage this want that alumni have with the needs your project will face.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<span id="docs-internal-guid-9ffeb805-6d66-6b3d-5dd0-e09c19045f3f"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Firstly, your funders should know exactly what your project is. The more specific you can be with statistics, figures, and plans, the better. Your funders want to know that you're gonna do it with or without their help. So, they value transparency the most. And if they really want to help you out, consider making them part of your advisory board. Once you've got people on board, it's time to create your makerspace. Your makerspace is what Romañach describes as a "space where people can innovate, design and come up with new ideas." That makerspace is where you create the next steps for your project. You shouldn't be scared of your funders because this is your plan. If anything, they should be there to help you. "Never have fear," said Romañach, "just do it." &nbsp;</span></span>

<span id="docs-internal-guid-9ffeb805-6d65-c2d9-061e-44b1140b1a38"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you approach your project, event, or club that you are attempting to gain funding for, you should create a budget to understand how much funding is necessary to receive. When starting, it may be tempting to make your budget the amount in which you can afford everything you want for your project or club to make it the best it can be, however, it is better to start small. You should first ask “what is the minimum amount of funds needed to create a viable project?” To reach this conclusion, make a list of the materials that are </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">essential</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the project, event, or club. For example, if you were raising funding for a STEM makerspace, you may deem a 3D printer necessary for a successful, viable makerspace that students will use. The funds for 3D printer are then included in the minimum budget. As you reach your minimum budget, you may continue to raise and allot funds but it is important to </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">be conservative on budget estimates. </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start with the essentials for your project, club, or event and then work your way up from there.</span></span>

<br/><span id="docs-internal-guid-9ffeb805-6d65-c2d9-061e-44b1140b1a38"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When determining the budget, it is important to work with the faculty and administration of your school, the alumni who you will be seeking for funds, and the people that the club, event, or project is intended for to get a better understanding of what is necessary to include.</span></span>

=== Tips for Success<br/> ===     By: [[Dalton_Nelson|Dalton Nelson, ]]Bridget Carey, Maxwell Barnes, and Kelly Rodriguez