Overfund Finalists

by irms

This is the second scholarship we’ve put out into the world. Some quick stats for you:

  • The fund started with $1,000 dollars.
  • The post was collectively shared more than 200 times.
  • The fund is now at $2,275 dollars.
  • The average donation was $81.25 dollars.

And the most important stat of all?

More people pitched in to the fund, than applied for it.

(there’s still time to donate)
Lets Overfund Someones Dream money inspiration entreprenuership announcing

 

Whenever you start to question what kind of world this is, just read that line over again. I was BLOWN AWAY. I still am.

$2,436

raised so far, thanks to: Anna Jacobsen, Va Nee Van Vleck, Conlan Spangler, cogeian systems, Mike Harding, Amy Elliott, IRMA OLGUIN SR, Nick Gundry, Jaime Horio, Christian Westergaard, Matt Ploy, Natali Carrera, kristy Page, Lisa Alvey, Tom Cotter, Derrick Reimer, Stephen Years, Marta Lopez, Jason Farris, Socially Crowded, Layne Lev, Fernando Santillan, Matthew Tymn, Robert Kepford, Bethany Wielicki, brad fitzhhenry, Derek Payton, Sandi Olguin, Scott Kramer, Sandi Olguin, Sandi Olguin

Again, as much as I’d like to fund them all, I’ve chosen just five finalists. The winner will be announced on Friday (June 29th). Your input is always welcome.

In no particular order, these are the 5 finalists:

Pablo Orozco

…was executive director of an environmental non-profit (calexico new river committee) before coming to Fresno to work for USDA. Currently business partner, with his wife Sol, at Raizana Teas (raizana.com).

WITH THE MONEY, he would launch & market Raizana’s monthly local-charity event. He would promote a local charity on his site by giving exposure and donating 10% of that month’s sales, encouraging the community to learn about and contribute to that charity.

Jeffry Clark

…a happy and hard-working nerd living in a cozy little apartment with a wonderful wife. He spends his days reading and learning, and my evenings working as a customer service representative for the Internal Revenue Service.

WITH THE MONEY, he would start a self sustaining library of supplies to make tabletop gaming accessible and affordable to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to take part. The long-term goal would be to eventually have a storefront for the library with tables that players can rent for a day. Jeff reminds us that table-top gaming requires working on communication skills, organization, and social coordination. It routinely makes players read, do math, and practice problem-solving. Of the many kinds of games in the world, it may be best-suited to prepare people for the real world while also taking a break from it.

Danielle Mayer

…just went back to school to take art classes after homeschooling her daughter for a few years.  She likes figuring out how to make stuff.

WITH THE MONEY, to bring a Mini Maker Faire to Fresno. would use the money mostly for promotion of it (t-shirts, fliers, buttons, etc.) to get the word out once the application is approved, and if any small makers needed some help. Any money not used would be to supply project materials for the make-and-take activities at the Faire.

Matthew Hodge

…is a web developer with a passion for story-telling. He’s got an education in Digital Animation and has recently started his own game production company. (Step2Digital.com)

WITH THE MONEY,  he would purchase a proper setup for live action and CG integration. He could begin offering his skill in this area immediately. He could then start an indie gaming site (hodgepodgegaming.com). This site will feature free to distribute games found across the web and offer info on what’s new in the indie game dev scene.

John Recchio

…currently finishing his third year at UC San Diego, pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. His passion is computers, and he enjoys staying close to the hardware-software interface. Technology had a significant impact on John growing up, and he wants to make sure everyone has the same opportunity.

WITH THE MONEY, he’d build an easily-installable proximity sensor for older models of cars. This sensor will be based on the new ultra low voltage bluetooth technology, and sync with one’s cell phone when they near their vehicle. It will let users know when they are about to hit something whilst backing up (their cell phone will play a tone). This is a feature present in new cars, but older or cheaper cars do not have this capability.

 

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What do you think? Your feedback is welcome, and your support is required 😉

Till Friday…