Fundraiser for Tribal Nation's!

[nativespirit1]

I get the fact about the rez being Indian country. Considering the fact that the NA population of CT. is 0.5%, the Pequot and the Mohegan are the 2 reservations there, and both have massively successful casinos, it is difficult for me to reconcile myself to calling this Indian country. It ain't my Grandfather's Indian Country by a long shot.

It is fair for any Tribe to own and operate a Casino or any other Economic Development to provide for it's people. Also, there are great misconceptions about Tribes who own Casino's. There is only one Tribe that has a truly successful Casino which pay's it's members very well. Near the Million dollar mark per person. In this world of forced assimilation, it only makes sense that Native's live top notch. I think that owning a Casino does not take away the Native identity of a person. These reservations were horrible for it's people to live, forcing many to leave, obviously a tactic for the United States to force assimilation even further. Point Blank I look at Casino operating Tribes and non Casino operating Tribes the same, in the respect that They are all people descended from First Nation's people. Living conditions on reservations may differ, but all have suffered.

[subeeds]

Some people have considered the whole country "Indian Country". Also, any Reservation is also considered "Indian Country" Legally. I respect your words though.

I get the fact about the rez being Indian country. Considering the fact that the NA population of CT. is 0.5%, the Pequot and the Mohegan are the 2 reservations there, and both have massively successful casinos, it is difficult for me to reconcile myself to calling this Indian country. It ain't my Grandfather's Indian Country by a long shot.

[nativespirit1]

For some reason, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Ct. is considered "Indian Country". I know there are a few recognized nations there, but still...to someone raised in the South, CT. is Yankee country.

Some people have considered the whole country "Indian Country". Also, any Reservation is also considered "Indian Country" Legally. I respect your words though.

[subeeds]

For some reason, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Ct. is considered "Indian Country". I know there are a few recognized nations there, but still...to someone raised in the South, CT. is Yankee country.

[nativespirit1]

okay i don't know how serious you are about this. if you are dedicated to this fundraising, why are you hanging out in here, going around in circles?

how about you stop telling us you are going to get the funds? go get the funds, then come back here and tell us how you helped a tribe(s).

talk is cheap.

I am not only discussing it in here, I am sharing the information in different places. Trying to bring as much awareness as possible. Currently, preparing all fundraiser information and mailing it out to Different Tribes. (Everyone can add their Tribe if not listed!)
These are the Tribes I have listed so far;
-The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation
-Northern Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation
-Tohono O’odham of the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation
-Sioux Tribe of the Standing Rock Reservation
-Apsaalooke' Crow Nation
-Oglala Sioux from the Pine Ridge Reservation
-Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation
-Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island

[Grits & Beans]

okay i don't know how serious you are about this. if you are dedicated to this fundraising, why are you hanging out in here, going around in circles?

how about you stop telling us you are going to get the funds? go get the funds, then come back here and tell us how you helped a tribe(s).

talk is cheap.

[nativespirit1]

so far

Which nations did you reach out to, in what method, and who did you contact. Also a template letter, with blank spaces for the tribe's name and other names, would be a good thing to publish as well. If you reached out with a video then post that video. Right now all we see is that you reached out to unpublished "tribal nations" and are waiting to hear back from them.

What kind of programs are you looking for them to submit back to you? What will you consider as an acceptable program?

An issue you might run up against is that tribes may see that this is an open competition for $150K. They may say "Why is this worth submitting anything to when at most we may only get a small portion of the money we need for a project etc.." $150K may sound like a lot to an individual or a small organization but I'll tell you in a larger organization, like a tribe, $150K doesn't go very far when they have to share it with who knows how many other tribes. Heck I just spent $180K to add a 7 ton cooling system in an equipment room at work.

Again it would be nice to see the open letter and the guidelines that you are going to use to determine who gets what and what programs can get funding and what can't.

***So far I have emailed the following Tribes.
-The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation
-Northern Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation
-Tohono O’odham of the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation
-Sioux Tribe of the Standing Rock Reservation
-Apsaalooke' Crow Nation
-Oglala Sioux from the Pine Ridge Reservation
NEXT will be contacted through mail (USPS) with the information about application and submission for funds. No email was provided for the Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, or the Sioux of the Standing Rock Reservation, but will be included in mail.

The Programs that I am looking for are as follows; Housing, Health, Culture, Education, Economic Development, etc…. Someone had asked if Debt Reconciliation could be an option, and I suppose it could as long as the Tribe explains how it will maintain it’s finances after the debt is reconciled.

For the issue of why they should compete is that if they do not receive funds the first time around, the idea is that the fundraiser will continue to provide more funds, so once submitted they may be able for more funds as they become available. Also, I am aware that $150,000 may not go a long way, but certainly smaller programs will find it sufficient, also, the $150,000 is not set in stone, it can be raised as Tribes submit how much money they need. I just had it start at $150,000. So let’s say that two different Tribes apply and only need $50,000 each, they both would get funds, but if all Tribes submit for the same amount that equal the full funds amount than the Tribe who displays the most impactful benefit will gain the funds.

[nativespirit1]

Which nations did you reach out to, in what method, and who did you contact. Also a template letter, with blank spaces for the tribe's name and other names, would be a good thing to publish as well. If you reached out with a video then post that video. Right now all we see is that you reached out to unpublished "tribal nations" and are waiting to hear back from them.

What kind of programs are you looking for them to submit back to you? What will you consider as an acceptable program?

An issue you might run up against is that tribes may see that this is an open competition for $150K. They may say "Why is this worth submitting anything to when at most we may only get a small portion of the money we need for a project etc.." $150K may sound like a lot to an individual or a small organization but I'll tell you in a larger organization, like a tribe, $150K doesn't go very far when they have to share it with who knows how many other tribes. Heck I just spent $180K to add a 7 ton cooling system in an equipment room at work.

Again it would be nice to see the open letter and the guidelines that you are going to use to determine who gets what and what programs can get funding and what can't.

Yes, I will gather all of this information and provide it! Thanks!

[Toolbox]

Which nations did you reach out to, in what method, and who did you contact. Also a template letter, with blank spaces for the tribe's name and other names, would be a good thing to publish as well. If you reached out with a video then post that video. Right now all we see is that you reached out to unpublished "tribal nations" and are waiting to hear back from them.

What kind of programs are you looking for them to submit back to you? What will you consider as an acceptable program?

An issue you might run up against is that tribes may see that this is an open competition for $150K. They may say "Why is this worth submitting anything to when at most we may only get a small portion of the money we need for a project etc.." $150K may sound like a lot to an individual or a small organization but I'll tell you in a larger organization, like a tribe, $150K doesn't go very far when they have to share it with who knows how many other tribes. Heck I just spent $180K to add a 7 ton cooling system in an equipment room at work.

Again it would be nice to see the open letter and the guidelines that you are going to use to determine who gets what and what programs can get funding and what can't.

[nativespirit1]

Many of us who have worked for Indian Tribes or Urban organizations have seen 'fundraisers' and how they operate. Always for a 'percentage' of the proceeds. Raising money on a 'local level' always ensures the money is going directly to to the local tribe. Finding 'grants' is a little more work, but the funding is guaranteed to go to the tribe.

On-line fundraising is where unseen people make money. You may have your heart in the right place, but it's not always the case about those with whom surround yourself.

Fundly charges fees based on the scale of the fundraiser. Individual campaigns are charged 4.9% of the funds collected, plus 3% credit card fees. Campaigns that reach certain donation levels receive discounts on the fee percentage that Fundly charges. Campaign donations raised from $50,001 to $500,000 are charged 4.4%, donations raised from $500,001 to $1,000,000 are charged 3.9% and every donation raised over $1,000,000 is charged 2.9% [4]

It should be mentioned Fundly got a 'safe' rating.

So you see, Mrs Thibodeau, not all the raised funds go to the tribes.

It should also be noted there is no negativity in this post.

This is me ---->

Nobody is obligated to donate, I simply wanted to bring awareness awaiting Tribal Participation. I am selling on ebay to be able to add money to the fundraiser as well. People simply don't have to donate, they can click support for the idea and what not, obviously donating money is not the only way to help. Even with fee's for example, let's say that in the end Fundly takes 10%, that equals 15,000 dollars, 15,000 dollars subtracted from the 150,000 dollars equals 135,000 dollars remaining, perhaps Tribe's need more than this amount, therefore the amount can increase, but Tribes must submit their need. As you mentioned charities taking a percentage of the proceeds,in this case, the percentage taken is only for the fees to have the fundraiser.

[nativespirit1]

Mr Thibodeau, could you explain why you think you can do a better job at this than the established Native charitable and philanthropic organizations? Organizations, which as 501c3 or the like, have to meet certain standards of record keeping and public disclosure.

Or perhaps, at least, why you don't want to work with an existing philanthropy?

Understand, raising money for the "poor benighted Indian" is a much abused cause. People within our communities are justifiable distrustful.

I was looking to do something on my own, instead of working for the vision of someone else. I have found that many organization's get something out of it, even a salary, I am not paying myself a salary. Governments, organization's, etc have had their share of corruption and selfishness, need not forget Tribal Member's steal from other Tribal Member's. I am trying to bring honesty, that is why I am trying to go solo. Also, someone commented that fundly charges fees, this is true, but the more money raised the less the fees will be. The idea is to have a minimum of 100,000 dollars to be for funding a Tribal Program/Project. I try to make it clear that as soon as Tribes get involved people will get more engaged, because the Programs will be available to see. I am waiting on Tribal Nation's to submit.

[OLChemist]

Mr Thibodeau, could you explain why you think you can do a better job at this than the established Native charitable and philanthropic organizations? Organizations, which as 501c3 or the like, have to meet certain standards of record keeping and public disclosure.

Or perhaps, at least, why you don't want to work with an existing philanthropy?

Understand, raising money for the "poor benighted Indian" is a much abused cause. People within our communities are justifiable distrustful.

[Joe's Dad]

Well First and foremost, my last name is Thibodeau, and my brother clicked like on my fundraiser. Tribes are encouraged to submit their goals now and throughout the fundraiser, there is not a specific time frame, it just so happens that the fundly website has a timer. Also, I am not using any voice other than my own. And not only Natives can help Natives, I am a Native Spouse and care deeply about the history and culture. I live in "Indian Country" and therefore it affects me.I have met with many Tribal Individuals who don't care about Natives as a whole, so there are people who support Tribes who are not Native. I am selling things on Ebay to help raise money on my own as well. I wish that many people here were more supportive instead of trying to paint this in every negative light. I am a good loving person, who wants to help people.

Many of us who have worked for Indian Tribes or Urban organizations have seen 'fundraisers' and how they operate. Always for a 'percentage' of the proceeds. Raising money on a 'local level' always ensures the money is going directly to to the local tribe. Finding 'grants' is a little more work, but the funding is guaranteed to go to the tribe.

On-line fundraising is where unseen people make money. You may have your heart in the right place, but it's not always the case about those with whom surround yourself.

Fundly charges fees based on the scale of the fundraiser. Individual campaigns are charged 4.9% of the funds collected, plus 3% credit card fees. Campaigns that reach certain donation levels receive discounts on the fee percentage that Fundly charges. Campaign donations raised from $50,001 to $500,000 are charged 4.4%, donations raised from $500,001 to $1,000,000 are charged 3.9% and every donation raised over $1,000,000 is charged 2.9% [4]

It should be mentioned Fundly got a 'safe' rating.

So you see, Mrs Thibodeau, not all the raised funds go to the tribes.

It should also be noted there is no negativity in this post.

This is me ---->

[lbgood]

I got your pm, but I don't care how much you say you want to help native people and that you care. People have been telling the Natives that for years. I can honestly say that I do donate to causes, but your proposal is totally suspect, so I wont be donating to it. Who knows, if it turns out legit I can revisit it in the future.

[gilisi]

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