Fund For Thought

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1.0 Executive Summary

1.1 Objectives

The objective of the Fund For Thought is to promote evidence-based reasoning by supporting the teaching and use of critical thinking skills at a grass-roots level. The Fund will serve as a central source of financial, educational, and social resources for projects and individuals dedicated to critical thought.

The function of the organization will be three-fold. First, the Fund will provide grant monies to critical thought-oriented endeavors (e.g. skeptical Meetup.com groups, SkeptiCamps, lecture series, scholarships, or research projects). Second, the organization will establish a virtual hub to unite critical thinkers worldwide. This website will provide educational resources, wiki-space, organizational/social networking tools and forums for thinkers, and will attempt to link to every existing project/organization with relevant critical-thought-focused goals. Third, the Fund will work to promote its goals locally and face-to-face in the community, by sponsoring community events, canvassing door-to-door, and developing school programs.

We believe that critical thinking skills are vital to a healthy and resilient citizenry. By studying our world with a critical eye, we gain a greater appreciation of the awes and challenges before us. We develop a broader understanding of our world and better solutions for the problems we face. We learn to make sound decisions, protect ourselves from swindle, and avoid potentially dangerous false conclusions.

By supporting local projects, providing resources, and connecting people, the Fund will enable thinkers worldwide to learn from each other, build upon each other’s momentum, and unify a movement which, until now, has largely existed in somewhat isolated pockets worldwide. By focusing on individuals, the Fund will empower local thinkers to use logic, reasoning, and innovation to strengthen their own communities. Community by community, we will build a stronger citizenry, and a stronger future.

1.2 Mission

The Fund for Thought is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, in order to provide individuals and organizations working to teach, promote, and/or use critical thinking and logic skills with a central source of funds, ideas, support, and other resources.

1.3 Keys to Success

The keys that will ensure a successful Fund include:

1. Development of a Website that is fun, informative, and professional, and which sees considerable traffic.

2. Promotion of the Fund both on the web and on the ground. Widespread familiarity with the Fund and its goals and resources.

3. Successful Fundraising Efforts that bring in donations from both large- and small-scale donors

4. The Funding of Successful Projects

5. Community Involvement

2.0 Organization Summary

2.1 Legal Entity

The Fund For Thought is a non profit organization based out of Aspen, Colorado. The organization shall provide services, funding and other resources needed to promote critical and logical thinking skills. The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Fund, and delegates responsibility for day-today operations to the Fund President and committees. The Board shall have up to 5 and no fewer than 3 members. The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Necessary start-up fees include the fees to hire a lawyer and to file for incorporation and for 501c(3) tax-exempt status. There is currently no need for equipment, workspace, or any other tangible assets. All costs at this time are covered by donations from Board members, including man-hours for documentation and business development.

3.0 Services

The Fund for Thought will initially seek to provide four areas of service: Funding, Promotion, Education, and Organization.

1. Funding: The Fund for Thought will use a significant portion of its assets to support local events, projects, and organizations working to promote and/or teach critical thinking skills. This funding may be awarded in order to cover such expenses as: program development, meeting space, guest speakers, website expenses, research projects, promotion costs, scholarships, and any other endeavors which the Board deems worthy of funds and concurrent with its goals. Nominations may be made online or via post mail, and awards will be announced throughout the year.

1. Promotion: The Fund for Thought will promote groups, projects, and individuals working to teach critical thinking. Through an extensive set of “links” and “resources” pages, the Fund will attempt to list every existing Thought/Skeptic/Logic-based organization/project on its website, including those without a web presence. The site will also include a calendar of thought-focused events. Registered users of the Fund for Thought website will be able to submit their own links, projects and events to be included in these pages.

1. Education: The Fund for Thought website will provide educational resources on a variety of topics ranging from “What is Critical Thought?” and “Logical Fallacies,” to “Evolution” and “The Scientific Method.” Registered users may submit articles to be included on the site.

1. Organization: The Fund for Thought will provide resources to help organize and promote local critical-thought-oriented groups. These resources will be available on the Fund for Thought website and may include:

1. 1. “How-To” pages on such topics as:

i. Organizing a local, thought-focused social group

ii. Organizing a SkeptiCamp

iii. Organizing a group to investigate dubious claims

iv. Bringing in Speakers

v. Writing Grants

vi. Developing School Programs

vii. Developing a Podcast, Vodcast, or Blog

1. 1. A Social/Professional Networking feature, to help local thinkers find each other, set up meetings, and organize events

1. 1. Forums to promote discussion and dissemination of ideas

4.0 Market Analysis Summary

The Fund for Thought market is two-fold: 1) The market for Fund for Thought services, and 2) The market for Fund for Thought funds. While these two markets may overlap to some degree, and may be approached similarly to some degree, they will be discussed separately in this Business Plan.

Service Market:

The Service Market for Fund for Thought consists of individuals and groups wishing to develop or maintain critical-thought-oriented projects, but which lack the necessary funds. We will reach the Service Market via promotional activities on the website, in the community, via pod-/vodcasts, forum and blog mentions, and through direct promotion targeted at local thought-oriented groups.

Funding Market:

The Funding Market for Fund for Thought is three-fold: “Celebrity” thinkers, “Thought Enthusiasts,” and “Newcomers.”

1. “Celebrity Thinkers” are the most visible part of the Funding Market. They are able to potentially provide large sums, and are, to a large degree, quite approachable. We will solicit these individuals directly via letters, phone calls, and conversations at The Amazing Meeting and other events.

2. “Thought Enthusiasts” make up the largest part of the Funding Market. Overall they are able to provide less than the “Celebrities,” but they are numerous and readily accessible via various current networking tools. We will solicit these individuals via forums, pod/vodcasts, and blogs as well as directly at local events and meetings.

3. “Newcomers” are the wildcard of the Funding Market. These are individuals who, after learning about and utilizing the services of the Fund for Thought, decide they want to support it financially as well. These may be people who have never given before, or who have never before considered themselves “critical thinkers.” They may give large or small amounts. We will connect with “newcomers” by providing excellent services, both on our website and in the community directly.

4.1 Market Segmentation

Because the Fund for Thought will not charge for its services, it must actively solicit donations in order to fund its objectives. Therefore, the Fund for Thought market is two-fold, consisting of both a Service Market and a Funding Market.

Service Market:

The Service Market for Fund for Thought consists of individuals and groups wishing to develop (or maintain) critical-thought-oriented projects, which but lack funds to do so. The market consists of people of all ages and both genders. They are people who are interested in evidence-based reasoning, and who want to further develop their skills and/or activism in this realm.

Funding Market:

The Funding Market for Fund for Thought consists of three groups: “Celebrity Thinkers”, “Thought Enthusiasts,” and “Newcomers.”

1) “Celebrity Thinkers” are the most visible part of the Funding Market. They are well-known activists in the critical-thinking movement, have a large audience, and are potentially able provide larger sums to the fund. They are somewhat less approachable than the “Thought Enthusiasts,” but not entirely. Fund for Thought Board members have developed relationships with some from this group already.

2) “Thought Enthusiasts” make up the largest part of the Funding Market. Individually, they are likely to provide smaller donations than the “Celebrities,” but they are numerous and readily accessible via internet tools and local groups. Many are active in local groups or online forums. Many friends of the Board belong to this group. They are well-versed in logic and reasoning and are interested in such topics as science, religion, psychology, and the paranormal. They belong to such groups as the atheists, brights, free-thinkers, skeptics, and humanists. They are familiar with the “Celebrity Thinkers” and are likely to be influenced to some degree by them. They will be frequent visitors and contributors to the website. They are the most likely to buy “swag” from the website as well.

3) “Newcomers” are the wildcard of the Funding Market. These are individuals who, after learning about and utilizing the services of the Fund for Thought, decide they want to support it financially as well. They may be people who have never given to a non-profit before, who have never before considered themselves “critical thinkers,” or who, until now, never considered the issue to be one in need of promotion. They may know much or very little about critical thinking. They may give in large or small amounts. As the Fund for Thought develops its services and promotional tools, “Newcomer” donations should increase.

Although different, each Market segment will provide an important part of the Fund for Thought market.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Service Market

We will reach the Service Market through our promotional activities, including:

· The Fund for Thought website

· Community Events (e.g. volunteering at lecture series, sponsoring school programs)

· Podcast/Vodcast and Blog mentions

· Forum activity (e.g. SkepChick, JREF, and SGU forums)

· Community Canvasses

· Press Releases

· Radio/TV advertising

Funding Market:

In order to achieve any fundraising success, we must have well-defined goals which we are aiming to achieve and for which we need funds. That being said, we will target each group of the Funding Market separately and as follows:

1) “Celebrity Thinkers”: We will solicit these individuals directly, with personal invitations. Where possible, we will meet face-to-face, (e.g. at The Amazing Meeting 6, Denver Skeptics meetings, or other events) and follow up with official letters from the Board. Those who are less accessible we will approach with some combination of letter, email, phone/skype call. It will be important to cultivate individual relationships with members of this group, demonstrate success by the Fund, and be patient.

2) “Thought Enthusiasts”: Because this group is well-connected to the “thought movement,” they are likely to be influenced by blog, vodcast, podcast, and forum mentions about the Fund. In fact, frequent and consistent mentions in these venues are likely to have a great effect on this group. We will also target “Thought Enthusiasts” directly at local meetings and events.

3) “Newcomers”: We will connect with this group by providing excellent services and always reaching out. Although the website will serve as an important tool to this group, community services will be quite important as well. Canvasses will be an important way to reach this group both promotionally and to solicit funds. An increased presence of this group will signify the success of the Fund in achieving its educational objectives.

4.3 Service Providers Analysis

The Fund for Thought is unique in both the scope and target of its mission. Parts of the Fund’s mission are met to some extent by other groups, but there is as of yet no central source of funds, outreach, promotion, and networking for the critical thinking community. Moreover, few grant-making organizations are willing to fund small-scale activism. Most funds are directed at large-scale projects and overlook the importance grass-roots activism for the promotion of these skills. There is a need for this central hub, and its arrival is anticipated to generate much excitement.

4.3.1 Alternatives and Usage Patterns

Alternatives:

1) Re: Links/Resources list: Many thought/science focused web-presences have links to a few similar groups, but none are all-encompassing and few include groups/projects which are not web-based.

2) Re: Grant-making: Many grant-making organizations do exist, especially for research or education endeavors, but few give to small-scale projects or, if they do, this is not their primary mission.

3) Re: Forums: Alternative forums exist which are focused around a particular program (e.g. SkepChick, JREF, or SGU forums). The Fund forums may have some competition with these groups, but as far as providing organizational/activism help to thinkers, the Fund forums will have a unique niche

Usage Patterns: Initially, usage of the website will probably be highest after media mentions/events/canvasses and decrease with decreasing media activity. However, as the website is developed and provides more and more resources and social tools, website traffic should increase and remain steady. Likewise, as we gain more funds and are able to grant them to more projects we should see increased visitation to the website.

5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary

5.1 Competitive Edge

5.2 Marketing Strategy

5.3 Fundraising Strategy

Fund raising strategies will include: Sending letters to prominent skeptics and scientists, door to door canvass campaigns, speeches at TAM, podcast/vodcast/blog mentions, interviews, and events. Since there is very little overhead in terms of supplies, and there is no compensation for the board of directors, funding for the day to day operations is minimized. Most of the funding will be able to move directly through to the local groups and people we are serving.

5.3.1 Funding Forecast

6.0 Management Summary

The Board shall meet at least once per year, at an agreed upon time and place. Election of new directors or election of current directors to a second term will occur as the first item of business at the annual meeting of the corporation. Directors will be elected by a majority vote of the current directors. All Board members shall serve one-year terms, but are eligible for re-election.

A quorum must be attended by the greater of 60% percent or three of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed. There shall be four officers of the Board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Their duties are as follows:

President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the corporation. He or she shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. He or she may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors of these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Vice President

The Vice President shall spearhead volunteer programs of the organization, and coordinate implementation of fundraising activities. He or she shall also chair committees on special subjects as designated by the Board.

Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. Treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Board members and the public.

7.0 Financial Plan

The Financial plan will be set up as a result of our first round of fund raising. Our current goal will be to raise $5,000 dollars in one year. With this money we will find groups, projects, etc worthy of these funds and show how much of an impact 5,000 dollars can make on a grassroots level.