Go Fund Me

The idea for this weeks' blog post comes courtesy of one of the Boston Steering Committee members, Josh Plavner. 

As we approach the official end of the first CJP/PresenTense Boston Social Entrepreneur Fellowship, and the big Launch Night event, the fellows are starting to get anxious about funding and support for the their projects.  The Launch Night event is one way for the fellows to meet potential investors and partners,  but it's only one opportunity.  The fellows' follow-up strategy for people they meet at Launch Night and beyond is key to their success, both in terms of effectively managing stakeholders and in presenting a professional image for the fellow and his/her venture. 

Go Fund Me is an innovative approach to online fundraising.  Their user-friendly, eye-catching website helps individuals, companies, and organizations create fundraising strategies and then spread the word and collect money.

There are two other funding opportunities that fellows should DEFINITELY explore:

1. PresenTense Investments (or PT Investments), a Division of PresenTense, pools the financial and professional resources of young business professionals from Israel and North America into an investment fund.  Under the guidance of an accomplished management team, fund administration and partnership participation - PT Investments will assess and invest in promising start-up social ventures while educating, networking and developing our Partners through Fund meetings and community-wide events.
2. The Boston Young Adult Community Grants Program, a program of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, provides funding of up to $3000 to support innovative community-building programs and capacity-building assistance for promising Jewish yougn adult organizations.

Good luck to all our fellows!