This is a brand new site for us so there are probably lots of questions we haven't thought of yet. If you don't find what you're looking for here, please let us know.
Q: How does the 10% pay-it-forward community fund work?
Q: Who pays for the products we brand through RandomKid?
Q: How do we manage checks that are written to benefit our effort?
Q: What if we fund raise over our stated goal?
Q: What if we do not make our goal?
Q: What if we do not sell enough product to break even?
Q: Is there ever a situation where RandomKid does not distribute the funds to the solution we choose?
Q: My project closed because we did not extend the end date. What do I do?
Q: Is this site safe/recommended for children under 13?
Q: If I win a monetary grant, can it be used to benefit my efforts if I am under your 501C3 umbrella?
Q: Is it possible to split funds between two causes?
Q: I am organizing collections, not raising money. Can your site support this kind of effort?
Q: What kinds of resources do you have for educators?
1. Q: How does the 10% pay-it-forward community fund work?
A: RandomKid sets aside 10% of all funds raised through our site to support providing services and funding for future youth that come to us to launch their ideas to help others. We call it a pay-it-forward fund because the success of one group to help the world today empowers another group of youth to benefit the world tomorrow. It's a domino effect. You can dip into the fund as many times as you need to. All efforts must be charitable/educational, the funds must be used to generate a return for your cause, and the funds must be returned to the seed fund pool plus 10% of the funds raised as a result of the seed grant. To receive funding, apply using this form.
2. Q: Who pays for the products we brand through RandomKid?
A: We pay for the initial costs of your product. After the first funds are generated through your sales, we pay ourselves back for our investment without taking any additional funds. Any youth, youth group or school that raises funds through RandomKid must submit all funds to us and we will distribute to your cause/s.
3. Q: How do we manage checks that are written to benefit our effort?
A: All checks must be made out to RandomKid, with your project name noted in the memo. Once your checks are received and cleared, we will manually raise your thermometer to reflect those donations. If you have received funding from RandomKid, you must submit a check every 30 days for any funds collected so our pay-it-forward seed fund pool is accessible to others.
4. Q: What if we fund raise over our stated goal?
A: The thermometer will continue to rise. Any funds raised over the goal amount will set that solution in motion once again.
5. Q: What if we do not make our goal?
A: The funds will remain in the account allowing other youth to join in later to fund that solution. If the goal is not reached within one year, the funds will be distributed to that solution provider so they can combine the funds with other donors who have contributed to their organization in order to set that solution in motion.
6. Q: What if we do not sell enough product to break even?
A: We approved sending you your product, so as long as you keep sending a check for all product sold every 30 days, we will absorb the loss.
7. Q: Is there ever a situation where RandomKid does not distribute the funds to the solution we choose?
A: Yes, for a few possible reasons. Sometimes youth will raise money for an item that has already been provided to that community, or is not wanted by that community. In that case, we will work with the youth to provide that item to a similar community with the same need. Other reasons may include that the organization does not have a valid tax identification, or we have ethical concerns about the organization's practices. In that case RandomKid will redirect the funds to a similar effort.
8. Q: My project closed because we did not extend the end date. What do I do?
A: Contact us at: WoopsMyProjectClosed@randomkid.org
9. Q: Is this site safe/recommended for children under 13?
A: We require that all children under 13 use our site with an adult. Parents, teachers, youth group leaders, mentors and guardians fit this role well. See our privacy policy for more information.
10. Q: If I win a monetary grant, can it be used to benefit my efforts if I am under your 501C3 umbrella?
A: Yes. To do that, you need to fill out this form and send us a description of your project.
11. Q: Is it possible to split funds between two causes?
A: Yes, and we encourage that. When you fill out the fields to fund your cause, you will see that option. You can say goodbye to wrapping paper sales and instead benefit your schools, places of worship, sports teams and youth organizations by helping others less fortunate that you. Everyone wins.
12. Q: I am organizing collections, not raising money. Can your site support this kind of effort?
A: Yes. Please visit our Collecting Stuff page.
13. Q: What kinds of resources do you have for educators?
A: All kinds! Please check out our Teacher Resources page. For additional questions, email us at Teacher@randomkid.org
