Puffin Along!

So I took the dive and for the last two weeks I’ve started my sponsorship campaign.

Can you tell I have a thing for Arctic animals? Just wait until I can show y’all the lovely little felted friends that are going to be helping me with this journey!

Anyway, I thought I’d give you an update on the fundraising, and give some insight into the process. These past two weeks I’ve:

• Messaged as many folks on the book of faces and LinkedIn that those sites allow (there’s a threshold daily that they will cut you off from messaging!) and with 32 donors thus far, I have raised nearly $2,000! Well on the way to my goal.
• I have found 9 grants I can and will apply for, but those dates range, with one open right now (meeting with the grant folks momentarily!)
• Sent media releases to 10 different news sources, and at least one will be running my story.
• Queried 2 gear manufacturers for support
• Approached 63 organizations and companies to act as sponsors (9 no’s, 1 is running a story, waiting on the rest)
• Earned $500 teaching and selling books at a local writing conference

And the best news of all, ShoreLake Arts is my first official sponsor, selecting me for their inaugural Poet Laureate and already planning an exhibition for when I return! While they are not fiscally supporting my trip, their sponsorship allows for me to apply for more grants than I could as an individual. So many thanks to them!

Now, I’ve got $10,000 left in my initial goal, and $18,000 in my stretch goal. If you haven’t donated yet, you can here! Please share with all your people and if your company or organization would like me to teach classes, give talks, or would like to sponsor the trip or donate gear, please let me know! Y’all are the best!