Press "Enter" to skip to content

Nonlinear Funding for Social Causes | Richard Murray | TEDxTheRoeperSchool


[Applause]

[Applause] thank you thank you for being here

thank you thank you for being here

thank you thank you for being here however you want to change the world you

however you want to change the world you

however you want to change the world you need funding

need funding

need funding but the good news is funding you mean is

but the good news is funding you mean is

but the good news is funding you mean is all around us in fact I believe that by

all around us in fact I believe that by

all around us in fact I believe that by looking at problems differently and

looking at problems differently and

looking at problems differently and adding some creativity there are

adding some creativity there are

adding some creativity there are essentially unlimited funding

essentially unlimited funding

essentially unlimited funding possibilities so let me explain what I

possibilities so let me explain what I

possibilities so let me explain what I mean by telling you some short stories

mean by telling you some short stories

mean by telling you some short stories the first story is about an important

the first story is about an important

the first story is about an important failure the other four have chosen

failure the other four have chosen

failure the other four have chosen because each one involves a different

because each one involves a different

because each one involves a different solution for seemingly impossible big

solution for seemingly impossible big

solution for seemingly impossible big problems and none of them involve

problems and none of them involve

problems and none of them involve government funding for fundraisers so

government funding for fundraisers so

government funding for fundraisers so let me start with the failures my

let me start with the failures my

let me start with the failures my failure in 1979 I was becoming

failure in 1979 I was becoming

failure in 1979 I was becoming increasingly upset by the stories I was

increasingly upset by the stories I was

increasingly upset by the stories I was reading in the news about the yet deniz

reading in the news about the yet deniz

reading in the news about the yet deniz boat people refugees fleeing that

boat people refugees fleeing that

boat people refugees fleeing that country after that war because of

country after that war because of

country after that war because of terrible oppression they were leaving

terrible oppression they were leaving

terrible oppression they were leaving behind everything they knew crowding in

behind everything they knew crowding in

behind everything they knew crowding in the leaky boats setting out to sea and

the leaky boats setting out to sea and

the leaky boats setting out to sea and in many cases being brutalized by

in many cases being brutalized by

in many cases being brutalized by pirates I was also angry about this I

pirates I was also angry about this I

pirates I was also angry about this I was angry at the United States to me

was angry at the United States to me

was angry at the United States to me this was a humanitarian issue but it was

this was a humanitarian issue but it was

this was a humanitarian issue but it was also a matter of responsibility the

also a matter of responsibility the

also a matter of responsibility the United States really wasn’t doing very

United States really wasn’t doing very

United States really wasn’t doing very much for these people at least at that

much for these people at least at that

much for these people at least at that time and the more I thought about it

time and the more I thought about it

time and the more I thought about it well I came to a realization that before

well I came to a realization that before

well I came to a realization that before I complain about what other people

I complain about what other people

I complain about what other people should be doing I really should look at

should be doing I really should look at

should be doing I really should look at myself what was I doing about this I was

myself what was I doing about this I was

myself what was I doing about this I was young was partway through law school I

young was partway through law school I

young was partway through law school I had no career family no mortgage what

had no career family no mortgage what

had no career family no mortgage what was my excuse so I decided that I would

was my excuse so I decided that I would

was my excuse so I decided that I would go to the refugee camps

go to the refugee camps

go to the refugee camps first they had to find a leading

first they had to find a leading

first they had to find a leading humanitarian organization that was

humanitarian organization that was

humanitarian organization that was already doing this they were British by

already doing this they were British by

already doing this they were British by the way I contacted them explained my

the way I contacted them explained my

the way I contacted them explained my desire answered some of their questions

desire answered some of their questions

desire answered some of their questions and the very politely said no thank you

and the very politely said no thank you

and the very politely said no thank you so I discovered that my care and my

so I discovered that my care and my

so I discovered that my care and my commitment were a good start but I

commitment were a good start but I

commitment were a good start but I really didn’t have much more than that

really didn’t have much more than that

really didn’t have much more than that awful all I could do at the time all I

awful all I could do at the time all I

awful all I could do at the time all I could think of to do at the time was to

could think of to do at the time was to

could think of to do at the time was to trying to raise awareness of the problem

trying to raise awareness of the problem

trying to raise awareness of the problem as a photojournalist

as a photojournalist

as a photojournalist so I scraped together what Lane I could

so I scraped together what Lane I could

so I scraped together what Lane I could I’ve been able the freelance assignment

I’ve been able the freelance assignment

I’ve been able the freelance assignment from a newspaper and I went to the camp

from a newspaper and I went to the camp

from a newspaper and I went to the camp said these are just some of my favorite

said these are just some of my favorite

said these are just some of my favorite photos from being there every place I

photos from being there every place I

photos from being there every place I went I was mobbed so it was really

went I was mobbed so it was really

went I was mobbed so it was really actually pretty enjoyable still at all I

actually pretty enjoyable still at all I

actually pretty enjoyable still at all I had failed my caring and concern alone

had failed my caring and concern alone

had failed my caring and concern alone were really not enough so when I got

were really not enough so when I got

were really not enough so when I got back to law school I put some time into

back to law school I put some time into

back to law school I put some time into thinking about this and I realized that

thinking about this and I realized that

thinking about this and I realized that almost any social cause is that any of

almost any social cause is that any of

almost any social cause is that any of us care about need funding and that’s

us care about need funding and that’s

us care about need funding and that’s what I focused on finding ways to create

what I focused on finding ways to create

what I focused on finding ways to create new funding sources for the social

new funding sources for the social

new funding sources for the social causes that we care about

causes that we care about

causes that we care about I call it nonlinear funding and the key

I call it nonlinear funding and the key

I call it nonlinear funding and the key to understanding this the stories we

to understanding this the stories we

to understanding this the stories we have but when you’re conscious of it or

have but when you’re conscious of it or

have but when you’re conscious of it or not there are revenue streams flowing

not there are revenue streams flowing

not there are revenue streams flowing around us all the time every day we

around us all the time every day we

around us all the time every day we can’t necessarily see them but they’re

can’t necessarily see them but they’re

can’t necessarily see them but they’re there and what I determined I needed to

there and what I determined I needed to

there and what I determined I needed to do was find the way for each of these

do was find the way for each of these

do was find the way for each of these clauses to identify the right revenue

clauses to identify the right revenue

clauses to identify the right revenue streams and then create some way to bend

streams and then create some way to bend

streams and then create some way to bend some of that to the social cause that I

some of that to the social cause that I

some of that to the social cause that I cared about I’m going to tell you four

cared about I’m going to tell you four

cared about I’m going to tell you four stories that I worked on there I’ve

stories that I worked on there I’ve

stories that I worked on there I’ve arranged them to start with the simplest

arranged them to start with the simplest

arranged them to start with the simplest one

one

one sort of move up in complexity and size

sort of move up in complexity and size

sort of move up in complexity and size as we go forward the strategy in each

as we go forward the strategy in each

as we go forward the strategy in each case is the same the solutions are

case is the same the solutions are

case is the same the solutions are different but I think when you look at

different but I think when you look at

different but I think when you look at these collectively you’ll come to

these collectively you’ll come to

these collectively you’ll come to understand what I’m talking so let’s

understand what I’m talking so let’s

understand what I’m talking so let’s start with Story number one Story number

start with Story number one Story number

start with Story number one Story number one I was contacted by a small urban

one I was contacted by a small urban

one I was contacted by a small urban high school serving low-income families

high school serving low-income families

high school serving low-income families in another city and they were doing

in another city and they were doing

in another city and they were doing remarkable they charged virtually no

remarkable they charged virtually no

remarkable they charged virtually no tuition yet 100% of their graduates were

tuition yet 100% of their graduates were

tuition yet 100% of their graduates were accepted to college 100 percent went to

accepted to college 100 percent went to

accepted to college 100 percent went to college and 100 percent of finished I’ve

college and 100 percent of finished I’ve

college and 100 percent of finished I’ve never heard of that from another school

never heard of that from another school

never heard of that from another school that was pretty remarkable now they were

that was pretty remarkable now they were

that was pretty remarkable now they were working in rented space very crowded and

working in rented space very crowded and

working in rented space very crowded and they had no assets so they’re

they had no assets so they’re

they had no assets so they’re essentially living hand-to-mouth with

essentially living hand-to-mouth with

essentially living hand-to-mouth with whatever they could raise each year to

whatever they could raise each year to

whatever they could raise each year to keep their doors open and everybody

keep their doors open and everybody

keep their doors open and everybody loved them they loved the outcomes but

loved them they loved the outcomes but

loved them they loved the outcomes but the donors were getting fatigued so what

the donors were getting fatigued so what

the donors were getting fatigued so what was the issue here what was the

was the issue here what was the

was the issue here what was the challenge this was the fine financial

challenge this was the fine financial

challenge this was the fine financial sustainability something long-term

sustainability something long-term

sustainability something long-term to support this school so that it

to support this school so that it

to support this school so that it continued to do us good work to make it

continued to do us good work to make it

continued to do us good work to make it a little more difficult for me the

a little more difficult for me the

a little more difficult for me the school said you can’t access any public

school said you can’t access any public

school said you can’t access any public sources of money you can’t raise tuition

sources of money you can’t raise tuition

sources of money you can’t raise tuition and that’s kind of why we’re here is not

and that’s kind of why we’re here is not

and that’s kind of why we’re here is not to charge tuition and our staff is

to charge tuition and our staff is

to charge tuition and our staff is already working very long hours so you

already working very long hours so you

already working very long hours so you cannot assume that there will be

cannot assume that there will be

cannot assume that there will be increase in the annual fund race

increase in the annual fund race

increase in the annual fund race otherwise in office so here’s the result

otherwise in office so here’s the result

otherwise in office so here’s the result this is actually the solution this is

this is actually the solution this is

this is actually the solution this is their learning campus now it’s an eight

their learning campus now it’s an eight

their learning campus now it’s an eight acre wooded campus all new construction

acre wooded campus all new construction

acre wooded campus all new construction designed just for the where do you teach

designed just for the where do you teach

designed just for the where do you teach and they have a multi-million dollar

and they have a multi-million dollar

and they have a multi-million dollar endowment and new revenue strands so how

endowment and new revenue strands so how

endowment and new revenue strands so how did we do this one it’s a campus two

did we do this one it’s a campus two

did we do this one it’s a campus two buildings you can see the academic

buildings you can see the academic

buildings you can see the academic building and the athletic build and when

building and the athletic build and when

building and the athletic build and when I started this process with them their

I started this process with them their

I started this process with them their big dream was to someday have a

big dream was to someday have a

big dream was to someday have a gymnasium of their own this is their

gymnasium of their own this is their

gymnasium of their own this is their gymnasium and their students but my

gymnasium and their students but my

gymnasium and their students but my strategy here was to actually come up

strategy here was to actually come up

strategy here was to actually come up with a campus that was better than what

with a campus that was better than what

with a campus that was better than what they’re asking for and what we put on

they’re asking for and what we put on

they’re asking for and what we put on the other side of the athletic building

the other side of the athletic building

the other side of the athletic building is an indoor soccer field the only

is an indoor soccer field the only

is an indoor soccer field the only indoor soccer field in that city

indoor soccer field in that city

indoor soccer field in that city these are their students using it during

these are their students using it during

these are their students using it during the day but when they go home at the end

the day but when they go home at the end

the day but when they go home at the end of the school day other people come in

of the school day other people come in

of the school day other people come in the evenings and weekends other schools

the evenings and weekends other schools

the evenings and weekends other schools clubs not-for-profits play lacrosse

clubs not-for-profits play lacrosse

clubs not-for-profits play lacrosse soccer or whatever and with those people

soccer or whatever and with those people

soccer or whatever and with those people who come to the campus who are attracted

who come to the campus who are attracted

who come to the campus who are attracted to this campus come the revenue streams

to this campus come the revenue streams

to this campus come the revenue streams my green arrow the revenue streams that

my green arrow the revenue streams that

my green arrow the revenue streams that work for the school and those revenue

work for the school and those revenue

work for the school and those revenue streams are continuing they come in

streams are continuing they come in

streams are continuing they come in every day and as I told the school this

every day and as I told the school this

every day and as I told the school this campus is going to be your biggest asset

campus is going to be your biggest asset

campus is going to be your biggest asset and you really should look at it the

and you really should look at it the

and you really should look at it the same way you would in and out it should

same way you would in and out it should

same way you would in and out it should keep working for you

keep working for you

keep working for you going home so that’s what it that’s what

going home so that’s what it that’s what

going home so that’s what it that’s what we did the strategy was to design

we did the strategy was to design

we did the strategy was to design something even better for the school of

something even better for the school of

something even better for the school of the students that would effectively

the students that would effectively

the students that would effectively import people and rebels

import people and rebels

import people and rebels story number two this is the current

story number two this is the current

story number two this is the current project it’s bigger and I think it has

project it’s bigger and I think it has

project it’s bigger and I think it has more scalability there are more places

more scalability there are more places

more scalability there are more places for this to work in this case I was

for this to work in this case I was

for this to work in this case I was contacted by an urban elementary school

contacted by an urban elementary school

contacted by an urban elementary school a charter school but they’re housed in a

a charter school but they’re housed in a

a charter school but they’re housed in a very small very overcrowded worn-out

very small very overcrowded worn-out

very small very overcrowded worn-out temporary building sitting in a parking

temporary building sitting in a parking

temporary building sitting in a parking lot was adding stress for the students

lot was adding stress for the students

lot was adding stress for the students as well as the faculty and of course the

as well as the faculty and of course the

as well as the faculty and of course the school had no money for a new facility

school had no money for a new facility

school had no money for a new facility making it a little more difficult this

making it a little more difficult this

making it a little more difficult this is the neighborhood where the school is

is the neighborhood where the school is

is the neighborhood where the school is located and in fact so we have some

located and in fact so we have some

located and in fact so we have some difficult conditions these images are of

difficult conditions these images are of

difficult conditions these images are of the site where the new campus is going

the site where the new campus is going

the site where the new campus is going to be and I still remember going in this

to be and I still remember going in this

to be and I still remember going in this location the beginning and standing

location the beginning and standing

location the beginning and standing there turning around slowly and thinking

there turning around slowly and thinking

there turning around slowly and thinking how am I going to do this I don’t I

how am I going to do this I don’t I

how am I going to do this I don’t I can’t imagine coming up with any way to

can’t imagine coming up with any way to

can’t imagine coming up with any way to attract people and revenue streams for

attract people and revenue streams for

attract people and revenue streams for this new campus nice as we will be until

this new campus nice as we will be until

this new campus nice as we will be until this community really lifts up and

this community really lifts up and

this community really lifts up and changes for the better and I’ll tell you

changes for the better and I’ll tell you

changes for the better and I’ll tell you at the outset here right I really didn’t

at the outset here right I really didn’t

at the outset here right I really didn’t know what I was going

know what I was going

know what I was going and that is normal when I start with

and that is normal when I start with

and that is normal when I start with these things I never know where we’re

these things I never know where we’re

these things I never know where we’re going to take it but I started with the

going to take it but I started with the

going to take it but I started with the way I always start and that is to get to

way I always start and that is to get to

way I always start and that is to get to know the students the families and their

know the students the families and their

know the students the families and their goals for those students staff the

goals for those students staff the

goals for those students staff the school the community the city that it’s

school the community the city that it’s

school the community the city that it’s you know I try to gather up as much

you know I try to gather up as much

you know I try to gather up as much information as I can walk the

information as I can walk the

information as I can walk the neighborhood sit in the classrooms

neighborhood sit in the classrooms

neighborhood sit in the classrooms any information I can get is somehow

any information I can get is somehow

any information I can get is somehow going to help me find what therefore we

going to help me find what therefore we

going to help me find what therefore we put in employment in this instance so

put in employment in this instance so

put in employment in this instance so here’s a quick sketch of the campus the

here’s a quick sketch of the campus the

here’s a quick sketch of the campus the answer here is to export this campus

answer here is to export this campus

answer here is to export this campus which i think is about seven acres of

which i think is about seven acres of

which i think is about seven acres of property the circle in the middle is the

property the circle in the middle is the

property the circle in the middle is the school’s kitchen and so we will over

school’s kitchen and so we will over

school’s kitchen and so we will over build the kitchen and indeed it will

build the kitchen and indeed it will

build the kitchen and indeed it will obviously feel good the students with

obviously feel good the students with

obviously feel good the students with their staff but we’re going to export

their staff but we’re going to export

their staff but we’re going to export the more affluent parts of that city so

the more affluent parts of that city so

the more affluent parts of that city so that kitchen is also going to be selling

that kitchen is also going to be selling

that kitchen is also going to be selling food under contract to a sizeable and

food under contract to a sizeable and

food under contract to a sizeable and university elsewhere in the simulator we

university elsewhere in the simulator we

university elsewhere in the simulator we also added some job training the kitchen

also added some job training the kitchen

also added some job training the kitchen and a small bakery for the neighborhood

and a small bakery for the neighborhood

and a small bakery for the neighborhood on the Left what you see there

on the Left what you see there

on the Left what you see there greenhouses a nursery and a little bit

greenhouses a nursery and a little bit

greenhouses a nursery and a little bit you can see a small farm actually for

you can see a small farm actually for

you can see a small farm actually for these urban children and again if we’re

these urban children and again if we’re

these urban children and again if we’re going to export here we’re going to

going to export here we’re going to

going to export here we’re going to export plant materials to landscapers

export plant materials to landscapers

export plant materials to landscapers who work elsewhere in the city selling

who work elsewhere in the city selling

who work elsewhere in the city selling all of this at the same price as

all of this at the same price as

all of this at the same price as everybody else so we still have to

everybody else so we still have to

everybody else so we still have to deliver the quality on time reliably but

deliver the quality on time reliably but

deliver the quality on time reliably but we’re going to export and as we export

we’re going to export and as we export

we’re going to export and as we export those income the revenue streams for the

those income the revenue streams for the

those income the revenue streams for the school so again this was not really what

school so again this was not really what

school so again this was not really what the school had in mind but

the school had in mind but

the school had in mind but happy with the plan and that’s what

happy with the plan and that’s what

happy with the plan and that’s what we’re going to do you can see a campus

we’re going to do you can see a campus

we’re going to do you can see a campus here and actually on the right are the

here and actually on the right are the

here and actually on the right are the classroom buildings laid out efficiently

classroom buildings laid out efficiently

classroom buildings laid out efficiently and securely we added a few nice touches

and securely we added a few nice touches

and securely we added a few nice touches there’s a little sand carton in there

there’s a little sand carton in there

there’s a little sand carton in there there’s a butterfly house gallery it’s

there’s a butterfly house gallery it’s

there’s a butterfly house gallery it’s going to be a very peaceful secure

going to be a very peaceful secure

going to be a very peaceful secure environment the kitchen as you can see

environment the kitchen as you can see

environment the kitchen as you can see right in the middle of the screen if you

right in the middle of the screen if you

right in the middle of the screen if you look closely you’ll also see the

look closely you’ll also see the

look closely you’ll also see the shipping dock there for our food sales

shipping dock there for our food sales

shipping dock there for our food sales and the entry of the small bakery that’s

and the entry of the small bakery that’s

and the entry of the small bakery that’s there and then on the left you can see

there and then on the left you can see

there and then on the left you can see the nursery and even our little farm

the nursery and even our little farm

the nursery and even our little farm where the kids would be able to attend

where the kids would be able to attend

where the kids would be able to attend some raised beds it’s really going to be

some raised beds it’s really going to be

some raised beds it’s really going to be a wonderful environment so different

a wonderful environment so different

a wonderful environment so different solution different situation Story

solution different situation Story

solution different situation Story number three Story number three I was

number three Story number three I was

number three Story number three I was contacted by a group of educators who

contacted by a group of educators who

contacted by a group of educators who wanted to open a new high quality

wanted to open a new high quality

wanted to open a new high quality college prep high school in a low-income

college prep high school in a low-income

college prep high school in a low-income community in a large city and they told

community in a large city and they told

community in a large city and they told me that they wanted it to be free so I

me that they wanted it to be free so I

me that they wanted it to be free so I said after three years here but start

said after three years here but start

said after three years here but start with what you’ve got that you share with

with what you’ve got that you share with

with what you’ve got that you share with me what you’ve got

me what you’ve got

me what you’ve got I remember very ceremoniously they got

I remember very ceremoniously they got

I remember very ceremoniously they got home and I’m pretty sure was two pages

home and I’m pretty sure was two pages

home and I’m pretty sure was two pages they had a neatly tight mission

they had a neatly tight mission

they had a neatly tight mission statement a handedness to me okay this

statement a handedness to me okay this

statement a handedness to me okay this is where we’re going to start this is

is where we’re going to start this is

is where we’re going to start this is what you’ve got and what it did is it

what you’ve got and what it did is it

what you’ve got and what it did is it reminded me it went back to here’s the

reminded me it went back to here’s the

reminded me it went back to here’s the caring here’s

caring here’s

caring here’s commitment what’s missing how are we

commitment what’s missing how are we

commitment what’s missing how are we doing the Solomons so again I set out to

doing the Solomons so again I set out to

doing the Solomons so again I set out to understand more of who these young

understand more of who these young

understand more of who these young people were what their needs were what

people were what their needs were what

people were what their needs were what their families dreams for them or about

their families dreams for them or about

their families dreams for them or about what the educators wanted to achieve

what the educators wanted to achieve

what the educators wanted to achieve here local community the city that they

here local community the city that they

here local community the city that they were added etc and what I concluded was

were added etc and what I concluded was

were added etc and what I concluded was that what these young people really

that what these young people really

that what these young people really needed what all the other people is more

needed what all the other people is more

needed what all the other people is more experience more confidence and more

experience more confidence and more

experience more confidence and more aspirations and I also concluded that in

aspirations and I also concluded that in

aspirations and I also concluded that in this instance we’re not going to buy or

this instance we’re not going to buy or

this instance we’re not going to buy or build a new campus I argued rather

build a new campus I argued rather

build a new campus I argued rather strenuously I’m going to rent some space

strenuously I’m going to rent some space

strenuously I’m going to rent some space inexpensively to get started we have a

inexpensively to get started we have a

inexpensively to get started we have a lot of other things on our plate I said

lot of other things on our plate I said

lot of other things on our plate I said well do you want open a school in five

well do you want open a school in five

well do you want open a school in five years is this tenure is when do you find

years is this tenure is when do you find

years is this tenure is when do you find out for the school I remember these big

out for the school I remember these big

out for the school I remember these big grants you know remodel the school next

grants you know remodel the school next

grants you know remodel the school next year okay so what I ultimately decided

year okay so what I ultimately decided

year okay so what I ultimately decided was that what these students needed was

was that what these students needed was

was that what these students needed was more than just collecting academic

more than just collecting academic

more than just collecting academic credits most of them did not travel more

credits most of them did not travel more

credits most of them did not travel more than a couple of blocks for the

than a couple of blocks for the

than a couple of blocks for the neighborhood they needed that experience

neighborhood they needed that experience

neighborhood they needed that experience so in my mind I felt we needed to create

so in my mind I felt we needed to create

so in my mind I felt we needed to create we need to enhance the educational plan

we need to enhance the educational plan

we need to enhance the educational plan and to do it in a way that work for the

and to do it in a way that work for the

and to do it in a way that work for the students but also I can tell you that

students but also I can tell you that

students but also I can tell you that the next year we opened the school

the next year we opened the school

the next year we opened the school successfully it’s still there

successfully it’s still there

successfully it’s still there and today there are 32 of these schools

and today there are 32 of these schools

and today there are 32 of these schools in the United States and quite a few

in the United States and quite a few

in the United States and quite a few more in the works nationally from all of

more in the works nationally from all of

more in the works nationally from all of those schools they’re graduates 99% of

those schools they’re graduates 99% of

those schools they’re graduates 99% of them are accepted to college so what was

them are accepted to college so what was

them are accepted to college so what was my nonlinear solution here I decided

my nonlinear solution here I decided

my nonlinear solution here I decided that what we would do is have the

that what we would do is have the

that what we would do is have the students in the classrooms for extended

students in the classrooms for extended

students in the classrooms for extended days

days

days we still have to have the clock time to

we still have to have the clock time to

we still have to have the clock time to get those wonderful eternity and

get those wonderful eternity and

get those wonderful eternity and instigated ecology but the other day of

instigated ecology but the other day of

instigated ecology but the other day of the week every student those works an

the week every student those works an

the week every student those works an internship in a professional setting law

internship in a professional setting law

internship in a professional setting law firms banks corporate headquarters

firms banks corporate headquarters

firms banks corporate headquarters entry-level positions making copies

entry-level positions making copies

entry-level positions making copies filing where people start but what that

filing where people start but what that

filing where people start but what that does is it puts them in the adult world

does is it puts them in the adult world

does is it puts them in the adult world as participants they’re having adult

as participants they’re having adult

as participants they’re having adult responsibilities adult conversations

responsibilities adult conversations

responsibilities adult conversations adult relationships that is really what

adult relationships that is really what

adult relationships that is really what makes the difference now to do this we

makes the difference now to do this we

makes the difference now to do this we had to secure the business funds so we

had to secure the business funds so we

had to secure the business funds so we ran instead of a capital campaign

ran instead of a capital campaign

ran instead of a capital campaign remember I’m not building a campus field

remember I’m not building a campus field

remember I’m not building a campus field campaign and we went around to the

campaign and we went around to the

campaign and we went around to the businesses and got pledges for

businesses and got pledges for

businesses and got pledges for entry-level positions a year in the

entry-level positions a year in the

entry-level positions a year in the future and we had all of those locked up

future and we had all of those locked up

future and we had all of those locked up before the school over I’m going to show

before the school over I’m going to show

before the school over I’m going to show you now how it worked for one student at

you now how it worked for one student at

you now how it worked for one student at that first school it’s a short video

that first school it’s a short video

that first school it’s a short video clip very senior Alex Macias remembers

clip very senior Alex Macias remembers

clip very senior Alex Macias remembers her first day on the job

her first day on the job

her first day on the job arriving at the looming corporate towers

arriving at the looming corporate towers

arriving at the looming corporate towers of downtown Chicago was the culture

of downtown Chicago was the culture

of downtown Chicago was the culture shock of her young life what do you get

shock of her young life what do you get

shock of her young life what do you get out of this I think it’s the experience

out of this I think it’s the experience

out of this I think it’s the experience I mean it’s been the experience of a

I mean it’s been the experience of a

I mean it’s been the experience of a lifetime so what does your resume look

lifetime so what does your resume look

lifetime so what does your resume look like already it’s great I mean I’m gonna

like already it’s great I mean I’m gonna

like already it’s great I mean I’m gonna graduate high school saying that I’ve

graduate high school saying that I’ve

graduate high school saying that I’ve worked at four different corporate

worked at four different corporate

worked at four different corporate offices for most of these kids the idea

offices for most of these kids the idea

offices for most of these kids the idea that they could succeed at anything is a

that they could succeed at anything is a

that they could succeed at anything is a revelation in these offices they learn

revelation in these offices they learn

revelation in these offices they learn just how far they can go were looked at

just how far they can go were looked at

just how far they can go were looked at as equals you know it it surpasses that

as equals you know it it surpasses that

as equals you know it it surpasses that were Hispanic it surpasses that were 16

were Hispanic it surpasses that were 16

were Hispanic it surpasses that were 16 17 14 and says you know here go into the

17 14 and says you know here go into the

17 14 and says you know here go into the corporate world it Dustin to work in

corporate world it Dustin to work in

corporate world it Dustin to work in these big buildings and who knows maybe

these big buildings and who knows maybe

these big buildings and who knows maybe be the CEO of him one day

ten years ago the Chicago community had

ten years ago the Chicago community had a dropout rate that soared as high as 75

a dropout rate that soared as high as 75

a dropout rate that soared as high as 75 percent

percent

percent for the Cristo Rey class of 2004 the

for the Cristo Rey class of 2004 the

for the Cristo Rey class of 2004 the dropout rate is 1% and everyone of the

dropout rate is 1% and everyone of the

dropout rate is 1% and everyone of the students marching today has been

students marching today has been

students marching today has been accepted to college Alex Macias was

accepted to college Alex Macias was

accepted to college Alex Macias was accepted to several colleges her choice

accepted to several colleges her choice

accepted to several colleges her choice was made easier by a phone call from

was made easier by a phone call from

was made easier by a phone call from Ohio Xavier University ilex graduated in

Ohio Xavier University ilex graduated in

Ohio Xavier University ilex graduated in the top 10 of her class and the girl who

the top 10 of her class and the girl who

the top 10 of her class and the girl who had never been downtown before who had

had never been downtown before who had

had never been downtown before who had missed only one day of work in four

missed only one day of work in four

missed only one day of work in four years reaped her reward I just talked to

years reaped her reward I just talked to

years reaped her reward I just talked to the Dean of Admissions from Xavier and

the Dean of Admissions from Xavier and

the Dean of Admissions from Xavier and they’re gonna give me the 15,000 plus

they’re gonna give me the 15,000 plus

they’re gonna give me the 15,000 plus another presidential scholarship or

another presidential scholarship or

another presidential scholarship or something like that all the rules the

something like that all the rules the

something like that all the rules the work

work

work the discipline came down to this joke

the discipline came down to this joke

the discipline came down to this joke that every time I see you never I can

that every time I see you never I can

that every time I see you never I can never get asked that but it works and it

never get asked that but it works and it

never get asked that but it works and it works pretty much that well for

works pretty much that well for

works pretty much that well for everybody goes through this system I

everybody goes through this system I

everybody goes through this system I really believe in this model and now I

really believe in this model and now I

really believe in this model and now I have to show you the other part this is

have to show you the other part this is

have to show you the other part this is so you can understand how it works yeah

so you can understand how it works yeah

so you can understand how it works yeah they taught me I’m sorry first I had to

they taught me I’m sorry first I had to

they taught me I’m sorry first I had to create the school as a 501c3 a

create the school as a 501c3 a

create the school as a 501c3 a tax-exempt so far so good and indeed a

tax-exempt so far so good and indeed a

tax-exempt so far so good and indeed a donors want to give charitable

donors want to give charitable

donors want to give charitable contributions they still make those to

contributions they still make those to

contributions they still make those to the school we did decide that the

the school we did decide that the

the school we did decide that the families to pay some tuition maybe

families to pay some tuition maybe

families to pay some tuition maybe $2,000 a year but here as you look at

$2,000 a year but here as you look at

$2,000 a year but here as you look at this you can see it’s a little unusual

this you can see it’s a little unusual

this you can see it’s a little unusual there’s our

there’s our

there’s our plan what I did next was create the

plan what I did next was create the

plan what I did next was create the subsidiary corporation of the school and

subsidiary corporation of the school and

subsidiary corporation of the school and that corporation contracts with the law

that corporation contracts with the law

that corporation contracts with the law firms the banks business sponsors to

firms the banks business sponsors to

firms the banks business sponsors to provide the services under contract the

provide the services under contract the

provide the services under contract the subsidiary corporation also payrolls all

subsidiary corporation also payrolls all

subsidiary corporation also payrolls all of the student interns every student in

of the student interns every student in

of the student interns every student in that high school is a part-time employee

that high school is a part-time employee

that high school is a part-time employee on the payroll of that corporation which

on the payroll of that corporation which

on the payroll of that corporation which maintains some controls of training

maintains some controls of training

maintains some controls of training Quality Assurance job performance this

Quality Assurance job performance this

Quality Assurance job performance this is an educational experience but for the

is an educational experience but for the

is an educational experience but for the businesses there’s no pay rolling

businesses there’s no pay rolling

businesses there’s no pay rolling there’s no permitting there’s no

there’s no permitting there’s no

there’s no permitting there’s no paperwork they just write a check they

paperwork they just write a check they

paperwork they just write a check they pay for services they get them

pay for services they get them

pay for services they get them it’s kind of an employer is being here

it’s kind of an employer is being here

it’s kind of an employer is being here to make it work for them it was pretty

to make it work for them it was pretty

to make it work for them it was pretty important to guarantee for them that

important to guarantee for them that

important to guarantee for them that their work would actually get done and

their work would actually get done and

their work would actually get done and then wouldn’t cost them any more than if

then wouldn’t cost them any more than if

then wouldn’t cost them any more than if they have hired anybody else now every

they have hired anybody else now every

they have hired anybody else now every one of these green arrows represents a

one of these green arrows represents a

one of these green arrows represents a revenue stream and you’ll know this no

revenue stream and you’ll know this no

revenue stream and you’ll know this no matter how they get there they all wind

matter how they get there they all wind

matter how they get there they all wind up at the school the program pays for

up at the school the program pays for

up at the school the program pays for the majority of the kauffman it costs to

the majority of the kauffman it costs to

the majority of the kauffman it costs to operate the school a little bit of

operate the school a little bit of

operate the school a little bit of fundraising a little bit of tuition but

fundraising a little bit of tuition but

fundraising a little bit of tuition but the program doesn’t is I believe it’s a

the program doesn’t is I believe it’s a

the program doesn’t is I believe it’s a better result these are so far all

better result these are so far all

better result these are so far all private schools across the country right

private schools across the country right

private schools across the country right now I’m talking with some charter

now I’m talking with some charter

now I’m talking with some charter schools and even a public school

schools and even a public school

schools and even a public school district they’re very interested in

district they’re very interested in

district they’re very interested in adopting this model in their

adopting this model in their

adopting this model in their environments 43.2 I’m going to slip this

environments 43.2 I’m going to slip this

environments 43.2 I’m going to slip this one in here with the new charters in the

one in here with the new charters in the

one in here with the new charters in the public school district we’ve enhanced it

public school district we’ve enhanced it

public school district we’ve enhanced it a little further and we’ve said for any

a little further and we’ve said for any

a little further and we’ve said for any student who graduates for one of these

student who graduates for one of these

student who graduates for one of these high schools goes on to college and

high schools goes on to college and

high schools goes on to college and earns a college degree they will qualify

earns a college degree they will qualify

earns a college degree they will qualify as

as

as of a private and incentive trust we’re

of a private and incentive trust we’re

of a private and incentive trust we’re gonna be set up for just this purpose

gonna be set up for just this purpose

gonna be set up for just this purpose it’s totally self-funded again there’s

it’s totally self-funded again there’s

it’s totally self-funded again there’s no fundraising to this but if one of

no fundraising to this but if one of

no fundraising to this but if one of those alums comes back and shows that

those alums comes back and shows that

those alums comes back and shows that they have a college degree the trust

they have a college degree the trust

they have a college degree the trust fund will pay off up to fifty thousand

fund will pay off up to fifty thousand

fund will pay off up to fifty thousand dollars of their college debt they can

dollars of their college debt they can

dollars of their college debt they can start they’re an independent adult lies

start they’re an independent adult lies

start they’re an independent adult lies with little or no debt

with little or no debt

with little or no debt and yes this really my last story number

and yes this really my last story number

and yes this really my last story number four we’re getting more complicated even

four we’re getting more complicated even

four we’re getting more complicated even bigger and this is a current problem in

bigger and this is a current problem in

bigger and this is a current problem in this instance I was approached by some

this instance I was approached by some

this instance I was approached by some philanthropists who focus a lot of their

philanthropists who focus a lot of their

philanthropists who focus a lot of their their time and money on refugee issues

their time and money on refugee issues

their time and money on refugee issues they wanted to know if I could come up

they wanted to know if I could come up

they wanted to know if I could come up with any new funding sources to support

with any new funding sources to support

with any new funding sources to support specifically education for children and

specifically education for children and

specifically education for children and emergencies and protracted places what

emergencies and protracted places what

emergencies and protracted places what does that mean it could be a natural

does that mean it could be a natural

does that mean it could be a natural disaster it could be an epidemic but for

disaster it could be an epidemic but for

disaster it could be an epidemic but for the most part it’s conflicts it’s

the most part it’s conflicts it’s

the most part it’s conflicts it’s human-made conflict the day that are a

human-made conflict the day that are a

human-made conflict the day that are a little bit imprecise these are not

little bit imprecise these are not

little bit imprecise these are not places where you go out and do pet

places where you go out and do pet

places where you go out and do pet accounts easily but it’s roughly 65

accounts easily but it’s roughly 65

accounts easily but it’s roughly 65 million children that we’re talking

million children that we’re talking

million children that we’re talking about they’re either the current sources

about they’re either the current sources

about they’re either the current sources of funding for those 65 million children

of funding for those 65 million children

of funding for those 65 million children for their education is primarily coming

for their education is primarily coming

for their education is primarily coming from the governments of the country

from the governments of the country

from the governments of the country where they’re located but as you can

where they’re located but as you can

where they’re located but as you can imagine these are not wealthy countries

imagine these are not wealthy countries

imagine these are not wealthy countries not surprisingly that funding is nowhere

not surprisingly that funding is nowhere

not surprisingly that funding is nowhere near what is needed for those children

near what is needed for those children

near what is needed for those children the best estimate is that that funding

the best estimate is that that funding

the best estimate is that that funding gap is nearly 5 billion dollars and

gap is nearly 5 billion dollars and

gap is nearly 5 billion dollars and that’s 5 billion dollars every year

that’s 5 billion dollars every year

that’s 5 billion dollars every year that’s not a 1

that’s not a 1

that’s not a 1 okay and that’s likely to grow and they

okay and that’s likely to grow and they

okay and that’s likely to grow and they couldn’t be higher so what’s our

couldn’t be higher so what’s our

couldn’t be higher so what’s our nonlinear challenge here it is to find a

nonlinear challenge here it is to find a

nonlinear challenge here it is to find a totally new private source of funding

totally new private source of funding

totally new private source of funding that is not susceptible to politics and

that is not susceptible to politics and

that is not susceptible to politics and that it’s sustainable year after year

that it’s sustainable year after year

that it’s sustainable year after year where do you look for something like

where do you look for something like

where do you look for something like that well this is the tip of Story

that well this is the tip of Story

that well this is the tip of Story number four if you’re going to look for

number four if you’re going to look for

number four if you’re going to look for a very large revenue stream the best

a very large revenue stream the best

a very large revenue stream the best places to look are we’re extremely large

places to look are we’re extremely large

places to look are we’re extremely large revenue streams are already flowing I’m

revenue streams are already flowing I’m

revenue streams are already flowing I’m optimistic that I found the way to get

optimistic that I found the way to get

optimistic that I found the way to get started on this so we’re working on stay

started on this so we’re working on stay

started on this so we’re working on stay tuned I’m working on it

tuned I’m working on it

tuned I’m working on it but I really believe that we found a way

but I really believe that we found a way

but I really believe that we found a way to do this we’ve been working on this

to do this we’ve been working on this

to do this we’ve been working on this for two years so stories I’ve given you

for two years so stories I’ve given you

for two years so stories I’ve given you some stories today

some stories today

some stories today and to me looking back at these the

and to me looking back at these the

and to me looking back at these the funding solutions seem obvious they seem

funding solutions seem obvious they seem

funding solutions seem obvious they seem to fit naturally at the beginning they

to fit naturally at the beginning they

to fit naturally at the beginning they weren’t so obvious

weren’t so obvious

weren’t so obvious these things take time but what I have

these things take time but what I have

these things take time but what I have to tell you here today is that if you if

to tell you here today is that if you if

to tell you here today is that if you if you look at problems differently and

you look at problems differently and

you look at problems differently and apply some creativity what I call

apply some creativity what I call

apply some creativity what I call nonlinear funded there are unlimited

nonlinear funded there are unlimited

nonlinear funded there are unlimited funding possibilities or really any

funding possibilities or really any

funding possibilities or really any problem

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *