fundraising at Brave New Films

myBO: Personal Fundraising

2008-10-12T22:47:59Z

Personal Fundraising is an online tool to help you build grassroots support for our campaign. Set your goal, and reach out for support in your own way, using your own words. Visit my.barackobama.com for more info.

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David Plouffe's Strategy Update - September 17, 2008

2008-09-23T12:47:59Z

Barack's campaign manager David Plouffe presents a slideshow on the state of the race and the resources needed to win battleground states. Please make a donation at www.barackobama.com/strategy

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John McCain & George Bush: A Forbidden Love

2008-10-12T22:31:16Z

As John McCain pretends like he's never even heard of George Bush before, let's not forget the true nature of the relationship between these two men. A trip down memory lane to the tune of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

If you like this video, help counter the McCain/Palin lies by throwing a few bucks at my personal fundraising page for Obama: my.barackobama.com

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John McCain's Honor - What A Joke

2008-10-12T22:31:16Z

The man running one of the most dishonest and dishonorable presidential campaigns in recent memory talks about honor. Man's got jokes!

If you like this video, help counter the McCain/Palin lies by throwing a few bucks at my personal fundraising page for Obama: my.barackobama.com

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Original Mavericks My Ass

2008-10-12T22:31:16Z

The guy who has been in the Senate for almost 3 decades and Ms. Earmark are going to change Washington? These two are so ridiculous, you really just have to laugh.

If you like this video, help counter the McCain/Palin lies by throwing a few bucks at my personal fundraising page for Obama: my.barackobama.com

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1191 RP Delegates Rolling Money Bomb & Cola Kicker 2

2008-09-09T16:28:51Z

Indy & Karin Boyer who has details about: $11.91 for 1191 Floor Votes for Ron Paul Rolling Money Bomb With A Free Ron Paul Revolution Cola by Jones Soda!! Part 2 of 5

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Barack Thanks the 2 Millionth Donor

2008-08-26T12:54:56Z

Barack calls Ed Prouty of New Hampshire to thank him for becoming the 2 millionth donor.

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Grassroots Finance Committee

2008-08-26T08:59:17Z

Michelle Carnes shares her experience as a member of the Grassroots Finance Committee. Join her and others at: my.barackobama.com

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David Plouffe Thanks Donors

2008-08-21T09:04:10Z

David Plouffe recorded a short video message on a laptop this morning for campaign supporters.

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David Plouffe's Strategy Update

2008-08-05T14:51:03Z

Campaign Manager David Plouffe recorded a new video on a laptop explaining what our campaign is up against.

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David Plouffe on Our Strategy

2008-07-23T14:25:36Z

Campaign Manager David Plouffe records a video to supporters on a laptop, sharing his presentation about the Obama campaign's strategy for the general election.

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Campaign Cash

2008-06-10T09:33:39Z

Another record year for presidential election fundraising has us
asking... How much is too much?

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Clinton uses victory to raise cash

2008-06-09T22:30:15Z

Apr 23 - Just hours after her big win in the Pennsylvania primary, Hillary Clinton is raking in the campaign cash. The junior New York Senator -- who has been lagging far behind rival Barack Obama is the fundraising department -- reported raising $10 million-- in her best fundraising night in this long fight for the Democratic nomination. Jon Decker reports.

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5 Keys to Securing Technology Funding

2008-06-07T03:30:13Z

Technology grant opportunities are harder to acquire as competition becomes intense. As organizations continue to compete globally, there is an increasing need to invest in the latest technological solutions.

Getting the right grant at the right time requires more than luck and fortune, it requires a willingness to adhere to strict standards. The following five guidelines can help you increase your chances of securing a grant.

1. Sustainability.

Funding sources want to know how you plan to sustain your program — without funding. It may seem counterintuitive but applying for a grant in desperation will only hurt your chances.

Remember, funding sources want to know that they will get a return on their investment. Showing desperation only shows that you are unwilling to invest your own resources into sustaining your programs.

By showing that you're committed to a plan, you're demonstrating a willingness to succeed — with or without the grant.

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Technology Funding in K-12 Grades

2008-06-07T03:30:09Z

The technology push in schools is more obvious as businesses compete globally for the best talent. One of the main problems for K-12 grades in getting the technology they need is limited finances. Experts say that funding technology programs in the K-12 system may be even more essential than at the college level.

Technology funding is becoming a larger part of grammar school budgets across the United States.

Although more states are funding technology programs in schools, competition is fierce as technology needs continue to grow.

Local Businesses Benefit

Businesses can't always rely on a government funded school to provide the right training, or the right training in sufficient amounts. So, they've taken matters into their own hands.

Because of the need for a more technically diverse workforce, many local businesses are setting up annual technology funding programs for the educational systems in their cities and towns.

Businesses, especially those in more rural areas, don't have the luxury of recruiting employees from top schools. They depend on the local school system to provide adequate technology training to each year's graduating workforce.

But schools can't depend entirely on local companies to sustain needed technology upgrades, training, and support.

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Technology Funding -- Rules of Thumb

2008-06-07T03:30:10Z

Technology impacts every aspect of your organization. From human resources to accounting, technology is critical for business success. Budgeting for technology can be difficult because it is so far reaching within an organization.

To help alleviate technology funding and budgeting, below are a few general rules to help you navigate the maze.

Technology Must Haves

Your technology budget must include certain items based on your organizational structure.

Don't let the gadget allure trap you.

A few must have budget items include:

New computers for new employees

Replacement computers for existing staff

Software upgrades -- if you're two or more versions behind, you need to upgrade

Printers, scanners, and fax machines

Aging file server replacements

Network equipment such as routers, modems, and firewalls

Technology training

Accounting system upgrades

Website upgrades, maintenance

Technical support

Connectivity support (email, website, internet connectivity)

Technology planning support
These are routine "must budget for" items. One typical item organizations fail to plan for is staff training. You get the latest computers, software, and support but employees aren't productive because they don't know how to use the equipment.

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Technology Grant Writing -- Keys to Success

2008-06-07T03:30:03Z

1. Sustainability.

Funding sources want to know how you plan to sustain your program — without funding. It may seem counterintuitive but applying for a grant in desperation will only hurt your chances.

By showing that you're committed to a plan, you're demonstrating a willingness to succeed — with or without the grant.

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Grants for Technology -- Getting it is Just the Beginning

2008-06-07T03:30:03Z

Winning the grant writing contest is exhilarating. All the time and effort put into creating a strategic plan, collaborating, and finally writing and submitting the application has finally paid off.

Now what? When you are given grant money whether by a foundation, business, or government agency, you're obligated to spend the money wisely.

In fact, there's a valuable lesson in securing grant money.

With grant money, you are obligated to:

Deliver your service within your specified time period

Maintain high standards when delivering your service

Evaluate, track, and report progress

Spend the money in the manner is which you specified

Ask for budget modifications beforehand

Collaborate with integrity
Winning grant money is only the beginning.

Putting so much time and effort into the proposal can cause neglect in the actual implementation. Once you've secured the funding, you have to switch gears.

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Technology Grant Writing -- Planning Before Writing

2008-06-07T03:30:01Z

Hype and dollar signs can get in the way of effective grant writing. People signup for grant workshops and training with big ideas attached to big price tags.

But many grant seekers fail to plan before they start writing. The key to competitive grant writing is to plan first. Planning can help you reach your long term objectives by breaking down your program into discreet, achievable goals.

But, planning is more that just reading the grant application directions. But, how is it different and how can it help you reach your goals?

Strategic Planning

Creating a strategic plan requires thinking through every possible detail — not just a single year. Most projects will take longer than a year to finish. In fact, most programs will require yearly financial support.

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Top 10 Technology Grant Writing Tips

2008-06-07T03:30:02Z

Writing a good technology grant proposal is more than following directions. Many grant writers underestimate the competition. So, instead of setting themselves above everyone else, they continue to pound out mediocre applications.

The key, then, to successful grant writing is being different. Below are ten tips that will help you stand out from the crowd.

1. The wrong way to apply for a grant is to look at what's available.

Your first task is to determine what you want to accomplish. Don't try to force what you want into what a beneficiary needs. Be sincere in your efforts. If what you want to accomplish fits into what a funding source is willing to invest in, then go for it. Otherwise, move on.

2. Start early.

Grant funding should be a part of your business processes. It can take months, sometimes years, before you receive funding. Do your research. Find out which proposals won grants and why. This practice will take longer than a few weeks.

3. Look beyond typical funding sources.

Start local. Many city governments, civic organizations, and businesses offer grants to a very small pool of applicants. This is a great way to get connected within the community.

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Can More Action Eliminate The Education Gap Between Boys And

2008-06-12T15:36:41Z

The education gap between boys and girls has been steadily growing and, to many people's surprise, this may be because of the suppression of action with boys. Certainly crime has increased as time has evolved and many mothers see to it to eliminate action toys and guns from their sons. However, this may be the answer for such a wide gap between boys and girls in school.

It comes as a shocker to many, but stopping boys from playing with aggressive toys like guns and soldiers may interfere with their long term education. There have been many studies done by psychologists that have found the suppression of a young boys natural play habits puts a restriction on them. And this restriction consequently has long-term effects.

While you may not like it, a document issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families says children should be encouraged to play. Regardless of what kind of play is involved, it is vital that you encourage them to be active. And this includes encouraging action to be included in their play.

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5 Reasons An Education Gap Still Exists

2008-06-17T21:31:23Z

Despite the ongoing concern of leaving kids behind, there still remains an education gap. Whether we like it or not, there are still those who have an opportunity to get an education and those who do not. Some of the reasons simply cannot be fixed but others have the potential of being corrected. Here are 5 reasons education gap still exists in society.

Location

Where a person lives can be a significant factor on whether or not a child has an opportunity to further their education. Living in a rough neighborhood increases the chances of kids joining gangs or getting into trouble. While not everyone can live in the perfect neighborhood with lots of money, there are more opportunities in private and charter schools today than in years past.

Income

As mentioned above, not everyone is fortunate enough to be raised in a wealthy family. Unfortunately, there is an education gap between those with money and those without it. It becomes quite costly to put a child through college or a trade school. Even high school can be expensive nowadays.

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Changing Demographics and the Education Gap

2008-06-17T21:31:23Z

The demographic landscape of the United States has shifted dramatically in the last decade or so. The proportion of the population that is at a school and college-going age is at the highest it has been in a long time. In addition, the ethnic background of students has also changed significantly. Because of this, the educational gap today is more pronounced than it has ever been.

In 1990, Hispanics represented about 10 per cent of the total high school and college student population. By 2015 this figure is expected to have risen to a massive 21 per cent. In the same time-frame, the Asians student population is expected to increase from three percent to six percent.

Statistics also show that Asians are more likely to advance to third level education than students from any other ethnic background. However, Hispanic students do not fare well in this regard. So, it can be seen that the extent of the education achievement gap isn't just about what is happening in our schools, but what is happening in society in general.

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What is the Educational Gap

2008-06-17T21:31:23Z

The education gap in the United States shows no signs of narrowing despite repeated efforts at federal, state and local level to reform the country's education system.

It is safe to say that the education gap in the United States is based upon the socio-economic status of students and their cultural backgrounds. In general, whites do better in school than blacks and Hispanics. However, statistics show that even if students come from almost identical economic backgrounds, students from Asian backgrounds will do better than whites, and whites will still do better than blacks and Hispanics.

Although statistics help to identify trends, many would argue that the education gap is something that can not effectively be tackled at federal level, at least not by simple educational reform. Bridging economic and cultural divides takes a lot more than a few extra teachers in schools or a new curriculum.

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How KIPP Bridged the Education Gap

2008-08-14T10:21:39Z

The No Child Left Behind Act, which became law in the United States in January 2002, promised that the educational achievement between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics, and rich and poor would be bridged by 2014.

This was a hugely ambitious claim for the federal government to make at the time, and with just six more years until the 2014 deadline arrives, there remains a lot to be done if this goal is to be achieved.

There have been some remarkable achievements in bridging the education gap over the years but they seem to be more isolated examples than the norm. However, the encouraging thing is that it can be done. It takes a lot of work and a lot of motivation on the part of both educators and students, but it can be done.

However, it remains to be seen if the lessons that can be learned from the success stories will spread to close the education gap at a national level. Surely then the answer is to follow the example and the methods of schools that have bridged the education achievement gap.

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