Hello everyone!
Thank you for subscribing and/or visiting this blog about textbook fundraising. I have continued in my efforts to start a non-profit for textbook fundraising and am close to realizing this goal with Compassion by the Book. The only remaining factor is to receive our "determination letter" from the IRS stating that we are a tax-exempt organization.
The blog posts from this point on will be posted on the website for Compassion by the Book and can be found by navigating on the homepage at http://compassionbythebook.com/ or (as long as the link doesn't change, by clicking here). While you're at it, become a fan on our Facebook Page to get the most recent news!
Again, thank you for your support and readership!
Sincerely,
Kurtis Griess
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Story of Compassion by the Book
The idea for Compassion by the Book emerged from the clutter on my bookshelves in August of 2009. I was cleaning my room, so I sold my old textbooks and I was struck that I had been wasting money for years. I suddenly realized that I was probably not the only one . My first instinct was greedy. "I bet I can sell my friends' books and make a lot of money." Something inside me obliterated that instinct mid-thought and replaced it with "No, you should actually try to get some books to raise money for something greater than yourself." I knew this was right. I gave it a go.
I didn't really have expectations, but I asked some friends and created a Facebook Event to ask for books on behalf of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, to raise scholarship money for students to go to conferences. Eight of my friends donated books and everyone was surprised by the $1200 raised for conferences.
After those results, I had to ask, "Why limit it to InterVarsity?" Well, why limit it to Colorado School of Mines? There are students at every school that have books going unused. I realized that this idea should be shared and that it could make a huge impact in so many great causes. I talked with some other student organizations at Mines and at nearby Regis University and started textbook fundraisers on behalf of the earthquake in Haiti. All in all, we raised $13,000 between all the fundraising initiatives.
Early in 2010 I decided to start a nonprofit to share this idea and help students across the U.S. make a difference. As the fundraising efforts and successes grew, so did my confidence and my commitment to spreading this idea. Starting a nonprofit has not been easy, but if its impact so far is any indication, I think it is worth it. I know it has certainly changed my life.
I didn't really have expectations, but I asked some friends and created a Facebook Event to ask for books on behalf of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, to raise scholarship money for students to go to conferences. Eight of my friends donated books and everyone was surprised by the $1200 raised for conferences.
After those results, I had to ask, "Why limit it to InterVarsity?" Well, why limit it to Colorado School of Mines? There are students at every school that have books going unused. I realized that this idea should be shared and that it could make a huge impact in so many great causes. I talked with some other student organizations at Mines and at nearby Regis University and started textbook fundraisers on behalf of the earthquake in Haiti. All in all, we raised $13,000 between all the fundraising initiatives.
Early in 2010 I decided to start a nonprofit to share this idea and help students across the U.S. make a difference. As the fundraising efforts and successes grew, so did my confidence and my commitment to spreading this idea. Starting a nonprofit has not been easy, but if its impact so far is any indication, I think it is worth it. I know it has certainly changed my life.
 |
| Colorado School of Mines at InterVarsity's 2009 Fall Conference - Textbook fundraising afforded at least six of these students to attend! |
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving for progress!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Last week, the Board of Directors began our first meeting and we have made great advances in finalizing the establishment of Compassion by the Book. Our goal was aggressive: to finish a preliminary draft of everything needed for our establishment. We haven't finished the meeting yet (it has been adjourned from time-to-time for the Board to work on the necessary paperwork separately).
Here's what we accomplished in last week's meeting:
Sunday, November 21: Defined CBTB's Misison, Vision, and Values
Monday, November 22: Review of Bylaws (Articles 1-3)
Tuesday, November 23: Review of Bylaws (Articles 4-6, 7-14) + submitted for review by attorney
Wednesday, November 24: Worked on IRS Form 1023
We are nearly finished with Form 1023 and we could use your help! I am looking for a couple volunteers to read our Form 1023 to make sure that it understandable to those not too familiar with the work of Compassion by the Book.
If you're not in the mood to read filings for the IRS, perhaps you'd enjoy instead reading our vision, mission, and values (below)!
Vision
Compassion by the Book is the catalyst for unlocking the untapped potential of college students to change the world-- realizing opportunities to make a difference, equipping them with tools to act, developing a lifestyle of giving, and establishing a pattern of creatively meeting the needs of others.
Mission
Compassion by the Book (CBTB) educates, empowers, and supports college students to make a positive difference in their communities and around the world. CBTB invites students and organizations at colleges and universities to participate in textbook fundraisers to financially support their favorite nonprofit causes and begin to learn a mindset of creative, resourceful giving to the world.
Values
Compassion – To care about others beyond ourselves.
Wise Giving – Not just giving to anyone who asks, but understanding and evaluating how our efforts produce the desired result.
Teamwork – Making a difference and improving the world is a team effort; together we can do more than apart.
Partner – To seek and develop relationships that enhance and expand the vision of CBTB.
Leadership – Making an impact in others‘ lives and influencing them to do good with the gifts they have.
Learning – Being open to new ideas. Seeing every opportunity to grow in compassion and make a difference.
Teaching – Opening eyes to possibilities and imparting new habits. Helping students to realize their potential and opportunities to make a difference in the world, and encouraging a lifelong pattern of giving.
Empowerment – CBTB is not a strictly transactional enterprise. It prepares groups and individuals to develop on-going efforts to improve the world.
Creativity – Problem solving, looking beyond societal norms to address problems in new ways.
Passion – Fostering an energy and enthusiasm for changing the world.
Do you think Compassion by the Book exhibits other values or contributes other things to society besides what is described in our mission or vision? Have questions about what we want to do in the world? Tell/ask us in a comment!
Here's what we accomplished in last week's meeting:
Sunday, November 21: Defined CBTB's Misison, Vision, and Values
Monday, November 22: Review of Bylaws (Articles 1-3)
Tuesday, November 23: Review of Bylaws (Articles 4-6, 7-14) + submitted for review by attorney
Wednesday, November 24: Worked on IRS Form 1023
We are nearly finished with Form 1023 and we could use your help! I am looking for a couple volunteers to read our Form 1023 to make sure that it understandable to those not too familiar with the work of Compassion by the Book.
If you're not in the mood to read filings for the IRS, perhaps you'd enjoy instead reading our vision, mission, and values (below)!
Vision
Compassion by the Book is the catalyst for unlocking the untapped potential of college students to change the world-- realizing opportunities to make a difference, equipping them with tools to act, developing a lifestyle of giving, and establishing a pattern of creatively meeting the needs of others.
Mission
Compassion by the Book (CBTB) educates, empowers, and supports college students to make a positive difference in their communities and around the world. CBTB invites students and organizations at colleges and universities to participate in textbook fundraisers to financially support their favorite nonprofit causes and begin to learn a mindset of creative, resourceful giving to the world.
Values
Compassion – To care about others beyond ourselves.
Wise Giving – Not just giving to anyone who asks, but understanding and evaluating how our efforts produce the desired result.
Teamwork – Making a difference and improving the world is a team effort; together we can do more than apart.
Partner – To seek and develop relationships that enhance and expand the vision of CBTB.
Leadership – Making an impact in others‘ lives and influencing them to do good with the gifts they have.
Learning – Being open to new ideas. Seeing every opportunity to grow in compassion and make a difference.
Teaching – Opening eyes to possibilities and imparting new habits. Helping students to realize their potential and opportunities to make a difference in the world, and encouraging a lifelong pattern of giving.
Empowerment – CBTB is not a strictly transactional enterprise. It prepares groups and individuals to develop on-going efforts to improve the world.
Creativity – Problem solving, looking beyond societal norms to address problems in new ways.
Passion – Fostering an energy and enthusiasm for changing the world.
Do you think Compassion by the Book exhibits other values or contributes other things to society besides what is described in our mission or vision? Have questions about what we want to do in the world? Tell/ask us in a comment!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Review of Yelp Helps! - A Denver Volunteer Org Display
Last week, I had the opportunity to join a special social event highlighting service opportunities in the Denver area. The event, entitled Yelp Helps!, was delivered by Yelp, a sort of social network of business reviewers. The purpose was to encourage Yelpers to get involved in their communities and to meet and greet with nonprofit organizations and other attendees. This was my first experience with Yelp and after some time to digest my thoughts, I definitely have some positive reactions to this event!
They hosted about two dozen nonprofit organizations at the Curtis Hotel, provided snacks and drinks, and created an opportunity for conversation and engagement. The nonprofits were admitted space by sending a request to the event host, Laura L., and most had decorative booths and excited representatives. The event offered a spectrum of causes and organizations (there were new and old, classic like Goodwill, trendy like Movember, and hip like The House That Rock Built). I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the reps and picking their brains about how their organizations work.
The atmosphere was a little rowdier than I expected, giving me the feeling that about one quarter of attendees were there just for the party. I definitely enjoyed one of the free drinks, but I would have limited it to one for everyone if I was Yelp. A booth with Denver firefighters signing calendars definitely felt out of place amidst the excited and passionate nonprofit reps, but I hope that the crowd that came for the party left with a new found opportunity to volunteer!
All in all, I am impressed by Yelp's coordination of the many aspects of the event - reserving a fabulous locale, providing goody bags and snacks and drinks, promoting the event to their members (and gaining new members like myself), and supporting great works being done around Denver!
Have you ever been to a special event that supported charities, volunteering, or philanthropy? What did you think of it? What is a good balance to strike between party and cause? Share your thoughts in a comment!
They hosted about two dozen nonprofit organizations at the Curtis Hotel, provided snacks and drinks, and created an opportunity for conversation and engagement. The nonprofits were admitted space by sending a request to the event host, Laura L., and most had decorative booths and excited representatives. The event offered a spectrum of causes and organizations (there were new and old, classic like Goodwill, trendy like Movember, and hip like The House That Rock Built). I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the reps and picking their brains about how their organizations work.
The atmosphere was a little rowdier than I expected, giving me the feeling that about one quarter of attendees were there just for the party. I definitely enjoyed one of the free drinks, but I would have limited it to one for everyone if I was Yelp. A booth with Denver firefighters signing calendars definitely felt out of place amidst the excited and passionate nonprofit reps, but I hope that the crowd that came for the party left with a new found opportunity to volunteer!
All in all, I am impressed by Yelp's coordination of the many aspects of the event - reserving a fabulous locale, providing goody bags and snacks and drinks, promoting the event to their members (and gaining new members like myself), and supporting great works being done around Denver!
Have you ever been to a special event that supported charities, volunteering, or philanthropy? What did you think of it? What is a good balance to strike between party and cause? Share your thoughts in a comment!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Step 1 to a Successful Textbook Fundraiser - Engaging Donors
In my book, a successful textbook fundraiser
Step 1: Engaging Donors
When all is said and done, the mission of Compassion by the Book (my nonprofit, textbook fundraising organization) is about people. You can't raise anything without donors. Clearly It all starts with sharing the idea and vision of your textbook fundraiser. Engaging donors is not a one-size-fits-all task and takes all sorts of methods, from emails to the sharing of a personal testimony to an announcement at a club meeting (personal invitations seem to be the most effective).
The most important step is sharing the vision, but you must convey three crucial pieces of information: A) the cause(s) they can support, B) how they can join, and C) how they know they can trust you (i.e. how do they know the money goes where you say it will).
Responses will vary. Some students will offer to donate before you even have the chance to ask, while others need longer to digest the information before they decide whether they can help. Start with your close friends. Your friends and your friends' friends are connected to you and trust you, so they will give you the time of day. The worst they can do is say no. My experience is that your enthusiasm and passion will rub off and as you demonstrate how easy it is to get involved and show the good a donation does!
Your invitation to donate a book shows your passion, turns unused resources into aid for good causes, and opens the eyes of another to their own potential!
What is the next step? How do you turn good intentions or interest into action? Share your ideas or experience in a comment!
- Shows students their potential to make a difference in the world,
- Contributes financially to great causes, and
- Reduces waste/maximizes value by putting unused books in others' hands.
Step 1: Engaging Donors
When all is said and done, the mission of Compassion by the Book (my nonprofit, textbook fundraising organization) is about people. You can't raise anything without donors. Clearly It all starts with sharing the idea and vision of your textbook fundraiser. Engaging donors is not a one-size-fits-all task and takes all sorts of methods, from emails to the sharing of a personal testimony to an announcement at a club meeting (personal invitations seem to be the most effective).
The most important step is sharing the vision, but you must convey three crucial pieces of information: A) the cause(s) they can support, B) how they can join, and C) how they know they can trust you (i.e. how do they know the money goes where you say it will).
Responses will vary. Some students will offer to donate before you even have the chance to ask, while others need longer to digest the information before they decide whether they can help. Start with your close friends. Your friends and your friends' friends are connected to you and trust you, so they will give you the time of day. The worst they can do is say no. My experience is that your enthusiasm and passion will rub off and as you demonstrate how easy it is to get involved and show the good a donation does!
Your invitation to donate a book shows your passion, turns unused resources into aid for good causes, and opens the eyes of another to their own potential!
What is the next step? How do you turn good intentions or interest into action? Share your ideas or experience in a comment!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
CSM Leadership Summit: Lessons for Compassion by the Book
Yesterday, I had the privilege and honor of attending the 3rd Annual Colorado School of Mines Leadership Summit. Having attended the Summit twice now, I have learned that leadership is such a broad topic with so many lessons that attending a day-long conference is like "drinking water from a fire hose." The keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and table conversation were thought provoking and inspiring, so before the experience fades to memory, I thought it best to record some key lessons for Compassion by the Book.
1. Importance of Vision
In the morning, keynote speaker Craig Valentine gave everyone the assignment to "write down your perfect day." To me, this exercise is the crucial first step to leadership: defining vision. What do you want to do and where do you want to go? Writing out your dreams makes your vision clearer and stronger, kick starts your endeavors, and serves as a measure of progress. Once you have a clear vision, you can share it with others and bring them along for the journey - that is where leadership comes in.
My vision for Compassion by the Book: To empower students at every college and university in the U.S. to make a positive impact in the world through their resources and skills and to see their minds and hearts open to the needs in their communities and the world.
2. Importance of Planning
According to Mr. Valentine, one minute of planning produces four minutes. If that is true, you cannot afford not to plan. I must admit that planning is one of my most difficult challenges. I am excited about the operations of Compassion by the Book, but I would rather be fulfilling plans than creating them. In a breakout session on "Delivering a Successful Strategic Plan," Andrew Flynn noted that for a corporation, strategic planning can take four to six months. Understandably so, because there are so many aspects of business to consider. In the case of Compassion by the Book, we have to file paperwork, develop the brand, establish values and the mission, and define standard practices, in addition to setting the model of operations, recruiting volunteers, developing systems, marketing and organizing events.
Planning for Compassion by the Book: With so much to plan for, it is probably best to start with a list - and not just a mental list. To manage so much information without documentation means that some will probably fall through the cracks. I am committing myself to write a detailed list of all that needs to be done before operations can truly begin and assign priorities and deadlines to the tasks (because "you master what you can measure" - Mr. Valentine).
3. Importance of Partnership
You have a vision and you are committed to achieving it, but you cannot do it alone! Both keynote speakers had people in their lives who pushed them to be greater and encouraged them in their dreams. I am lucky to have such people in my life too. I have reached a point where my vision requires more participation. I have to give more responsibility and entrust my idea to others, which can be a scary prospect. I was encouraged by the afternoon keynote speaker, Mr. Robert Waterman, who said that working as a team means you must relinquish some control, but the team can do much more than you alone. Finding the right team, spreading the vision, developing buy-in, building accountability, communicating, and giving value back to team members will add to Compassion by the Book's work and its effectiveness.
Partnership with Compassion by the Book: The purpose of Compassion by the Book has always been to spread the idea of the college student's potential to make a positive impact in the world. It is natural that as many students and others should be involved as possible. In spreading this idea and placing power in the hands of students, Compassion by the Book must provide the right tools and leadership to maximize the results.
What did I learn about leadership? Leadership starts with your dreams, makes a plan to achieve them, and empowers and engages others.
Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/compassionbythebook. You can also follow Compassion by the Book on twitter with username CompassionBTB.
1. Importance of Vision
In the morning, keynote speaker Craig Valentine gave everyone the assignment to "write down your perfect day." To me, this exercise is the crucial first step to leadership: defining vision. What do you want to do and where do you want to go? Writing out your dreams makes your vision clearer and stronger, kick starts your endeavors, and serves as a measure of progress. Once you have a clear vision, you can share it with others and bring them along for the journey - that is where leadership comes in.
My vision for Compassion by the Book: To empower students at every college and university in the U.S. to make a positive impact in the world through their resources and skills and to see their minds and hearts open to the needs in their communities and the world.
2. Importance of Planning
According to Mr. Valentine, one minute of planning produces four minutes. If that is true, you cannot afford not to plan. I must admit that planning is one of my most difficult challenges. I am excited about the operations of Compassion by the Book, but I would rather be fulfilling plans than creating them. In a breakout session on "Delivering a Successful Strategic Plan," Andrew Flynn noted that for a corporation, strategic planning can take four to six months. Understandably so, because there are so many aspects of business to consider. In the case of Compassion by the Book, we have to file paperwork, develop the brand, establish values and the mission, and define standard practices, in addition to setting the model of operations, recruiting volunteers, developing systems, marketing and organizing events.
Planning for Compassion by the Book: With so much to plan for, it is probably best to start with a list - and not just a mental list. To manage so much information without documentation means that some will probably fall through the cracks. I am committing myself to write a detailed list of all that needs to be done before operations can truly begin and assign priorities and deadlines to the tasks (because "you master what you can measure" - Mr. Valentine).
3. Importance of Partnership
You have a vision and you are committed to achieving it, but you cannot do it alone! Both keynote speakers had people in their lives who pushed them to be greater and encouraged them in their dreams. I am lucky to have such people in my life too. I have reached a point where my vision requires more participation. I have to give more responsibility and entrust my idea to others, which can be a scary prospect. I was encouraged by the afternoon keynote speaker, Mr. Robert Waterman, who said that working as a team means you must relinquish some control, but the team can do much more than you alone. Finding the right team, spreading the vision, developing buy-in, building accountability, communicating, and giving value back to team members will add to Compassion by the Book's work and its effectiveness.
Partnership with Compassion by the Book: The purpose of Compassion by the Book has always been to spread the idea of the college student's potential to make a positive impact in the world. It is natural that as many students and others should be involved as possible. In spreading this idea and placing power in the hands of students, Compassion by the Book must provide the right tools and leadership to maximize the results.
What did I learn about leadership? Leadership starts with your dreams, makes a plan to achieve them, and empowers and engages others.
Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/compassionbythebook. You can also follow Compassion by the Book on twitter with username CompassionBTB.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Measured Success
From August 4 to September 20, I listed your donated books on Amazon and pursued buyers at the Colorado School of Mines (hereafter, Mines) campus. I am pleased to announce that 150 books were sold and $6,000 raised!
Nine organizations/groups participated and their causes include but are not limited to, American Red Cross, a local nonprofit effort (to be chosen by students at Regis University), World Vision, and several InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapters in Colorado.
I've included some basic charts with an overview of sales and income to explain the nature of textbook sales.
The graph above illustrates how the total books sold increases more rapidly in late August and tapers off after the first week of September. I attribute that to higher supply (and lower demand) after September 8, which resulted in the fundraiser's listings becoming uncompetitive. A simple fix is to readjust the prices, but if the books will be worth more again in December it may be worth waiting.
The chart above ("Daily Income") shows the daily income of the books sold. The highest income came on August 20th when I sold eight books on the Mines campus for an average of $90 per book. I have learned from my experience that in-person sales result in greater income and less risk than Amazon sales.
In the chart "Percentage Revenue" I wanted to illustrate how significant in-person sales were to fundraising this semester. Sales on the Mines campus accounted for 21% of the revenue and only 15% of books sold (25 of 157). The average revenue per book from sales at Mines was $50 and the average revenue per book due to Amazon sales was $36.
The success is staggering, but these figures do not even begin describe the full potential of your donated textbooks. I estimate that there are close to 1,000 books still in inventory that must be put to further use by either being sold in a book sale, donated to a library, recycled, or through other means.
I am glad that all the efforts of students donating books has made such a great difference! I look forward to the college students of the U.S. meeting their potential and far exceeding my expectations again!
Nine organizations/groups participated and their causes include but are not limited to, American Red Cross, a local nonprofit effort (to be chosen by students at Regis University), World Vision, and several InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapters in Colorado.
I've included some basic charts with an overview of sales and income to explain the nature of textbook sales.
As you can see from the graph "Books Sold", the greatest number of books sold in one day is 16 and the least is 0 (the average is 3.25). The highest concentration of books sold occurred between August 19th and September 1st (average of 6). Sales of textbooks is cyclical, with a greater demand during the beginning of semesters and quarters. Textbook sales on Amazon are variable because there are competitors adding supply and changing their prices daily, which affects the visibility of your products on the Amazon search page. For example, in a high demand time, a book may be listed as the lowest option on Amazon for $50 and in two weeks, when demand is less, the going price for the same book may only be $25. Either the price must be adjusted to remain competitive or you have to wait for the high demand time to return (which, may be never, if a new edition comes out).
The graph above illustrates how the total books sold increases more rapidly in late August and tapers off after the first week of September. I attribute that to higher supply (and lower demand) after September 8, which resulted in the fundraiser's listings becoming uncompetitive. A simple fix is to readjust the prices, but if the books will be worth more again in December it may be worth waiting.
The chart above ("Daily Income") shows the daily income of the books sold. The highest income came on August 20th when I sold eight books on the Mines campus for an average of $90 per book. I have learned from my experience that in-person sales result in greater income and less risk than Amazon sales.
In the chart "Percentage Revenue" I wanted to illustrate how significant in-person sales were to fundraising this semester. Sales on the Mines campus accounted for 21% of the revenue and only 15% of books sold (25 of 157). The average revenue per book from sales at Mines was $50 and the average revenue per book due to Amazon sales was $36.
The success is staggering, but these figures do not even begin describe the full potential of your donated textbooks. I estimate that there are close to 1,000 books still in inventory that must be put to further use by either being sold in a book sale, donated to a library, recycled, or through other means.
I am glad that all the efforts of students donating books has made such a great difference! I look forward to the college students of the U.S. meeting their potential and far exceeding my expectations again!
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