Application for Y Combinator grants to non-profits

stephenscapelliti commented 6 years ago

Proposal: ProgCode Application for Y Combinator Grants to Non-profits

Description

Y Combinator provides funding to for-profit start-ups, in exchange for ownership equity. Beginning in 2013, it began funding non-profits, but without the requirement of an equity stake (non-profits have none to give) or of repayment. Awards lean toward tech companies, but Y Combinator casts a wide net on other types of businesses. ProgCode tech and its mission appear to be consistent with the objects of previous awards.

Problem

ProgCode needs funding. Fundraising consultants have advised the the Operations team that having sufficient funding for minimum viable operations will encourage others to donate.

ProgCode must complete an application for the grant.
The application due date is March 24, 2018 at 8:00pm PST.
The "most promising" groups will be interviewed in Mountain View, CA in late April 2018 (reasonable travel expenses reimbursed).
Y Combinator does not set aside a certain amount for non-profits. Its first award was to a non-profit whose activities " . . . help people who really need help, and do it in an efficient and transparent way." The application could be a long-shot.
The grant requires that ProgCode operate from the Bay Area from June - August 2018 for training and mentoring, but Y Combinator does not provide travel, office space, or room & board. Depending upon ProgCode resources at that time, this might or might not be an issue.

Benefit

Completing the application will afford ProgCode the opportunity to qualify for a grant.
If a grant is offered or awarded, the ProgCode community will have an opportunity to vote and decide whether to accept the grant and whether to commit resources (and how much) toward the requirements to participate in the grant (i.e., travel, room & board, etc.).
The training/mentoring provided by Y Combinator assist in the growth and sustainability of ProgCode and help it fulfill its mission.
Current ProgCode grant applications will reduce some of the work required to complete the application.

Plan

[ ] The Operations team will post the relevant information in the #wg-progcode-funding channel.
[ ] The Operations team will schedule this initiative for a Community Operations meeting to be held on 01-29-18.

Decision Making

[ ] Seek community consent to proceed to complete the draft application and other information required by the Y Combinator application (consent to proceed) on 01-29-18.
[ ] Upon completion of the draft application, schedule this initiative for a Community Operations meeting and seek approval to submit the application (consent to implement).
[ ] If Y Combinator offers an interview to ProgCode, a new pilot initiative will be required for consent to proceed and/or implement for authority to participate in the interview.
[ ] If Y Combinator offers a grant to ProgCode, a new pilot initiative will be required for consent to proceed and/or implement for authority to accept the grant and to commit resources to satisfy the requirements of the grant.