Irma L. Olguin Jr.

UPDATE 6: Another generous and anonymous donation! This is now the “Two-Thousand One-Hundred Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”.

UPDATE 5: Even though the deadline for applications has passed, people have not stopped being generous. Thanks to another anonymous donation, this is now the “Two-Thousand Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”. Now, that’s awesome!

UPDATE 4: “I just want to be a part of changing a life in a simple way.” — Anonymous. We are now the “One-Thousand EIGHT-Hundred Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”

UPDATE 3: We are now the “One-Thousand Seven-Hundred Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”, thanks to a strictly anonymous giver!

UPDATE 2: Stephanie Tinsley Schopp is throwing in another $100. It’s now the “One-Thousand Six-Hundred Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”. Thanks, Stephanie!

UPDATE: Since announcing this initiative, two different people have come forward and would like to add to the pot. Therefore, the “Thousand Dollar Scholarship For A Doer” is now the “Fifteen Hundred Dollar Scholarship For A Doer”.

Both conversations went a little something like this:

So, many thanks to Steve Years, Hashtag Member, creator of re.vu, 59DaysOfCode 2011 In-Progress winner and all-around good guy.

Also, many thanks to the person who said, “It’s not that I want to be noble and be anonymous, it’s just that I’m afraid my ex will claim I owe him/her money.”

(If anyone else would like to throw in, you can email me.)

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There’s probably a great psychological reason that I keep writing about money and happiness. I don’t know what it is, but feel free to speculate in the comments. Meanwhile, let me tell you about this new thing I want to try:

I want to give away a thousand dollars, and I want to give it to someone who will do something awesome with that money.

You might think this is stupid, or that a thousand bucks hardly makes a difference to most people, but I defy you to say you would turn it down if I gave it to you. That’s what I thought.

Brass Tacks

Who will win?

Simple answer: The person who can demonstrate that this thousand bucks will make the difference between doing something amazing, and not doing it. Also, I prefer to see the money grow. e.g. A one-time donation to some great cause is neat, but let’s steer away from that for the moment. What can you do with a thousand bucks that will have a lasting impact?

How do you apply?

You fill out this form.

Rules & Notes:

• I can’t and won’t try to control how you end up using the money. HOWEVER, I ask that you report back with what you’ve done with it. All I will do is ask you to be honest.
• No preference will be given to your financial status.
• Local (Fresno/Central Valley) projects are more likely to have a place in my heart, but that doesn’t guarantee squat.
• Must be 18 or older to win.
• It is very unlikely that I will give the money to someone who simply wishes to travel and/or pay off bills. Call me a crab, but those are common enough goals.
• Likewise with donations. See previous point.
• This is a one-time award.

Timeline:

FAQ

Where did you get this money?

I worked for it. I don’t have a rich uncle.

How will you decide the winner?

I will probably share the applications with my family and close friends to gather opinions, but mostly I’m looking to see something entrepreneurial, or innovative. As I said above, your chances improve if your idea scales or the money grows or the idea will continue to affect people long after the money is gone. This is  not a contest to write the saddest story.

Why not give the money to a charity or cause?

I do that too! Here are just some of the organizations I’ve donated to in the last year. I encourage you to find one you like and pitch in!

Why not give the money to a family member?

My family and I help each other out regularly. They can apply too.

Why the hell are you doing this?

1. I want to give back and
2. I think sometimes money stops people from doing neat things and
3. Because I honestly believe that in the end, it’s about what you want to be, not what you want to have, and I have enough.