reSET is excited to launch our first crowdfunding campaign in conjunction with startsomegood.com – a crowdfunding portal built specifically to support social ventures. We’re launching our crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF), reSET’s very own investment fund dedicated to providing start-up funding to social entrepreneurs, which I discussed in my last blog post.

Why Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding allows EVERYONE in our community to get directly involved in supporting the growing social enterprise sector here in Connecticut. Whether you’re a student who is limited to making a small contribution, or you’re a high-net-worth individual with a large capacity for giving, EVERYONE can get involved and have an impact. Because it’s 100% web-based, crowdfunding allows us to connect to an unlimited amount of supporters, and engage with a more diverse group of people who are excited about supporting the growth of social enterprise in Connecticut.

Who Gets Funded Through SEIF?

SEIF’s principal will be invested in early and growth-stage social enterprises. Specifically, companies like:

Christopher Brechlin—Blueprint for a Dream is helping nonprofits use data more effectively and affordably by making it easier for them to map, analyze, and communicate their social impact. We believe we can use data from nonprofits, government, and businesses to build vibrant and healthy communities.

Karen Pace – Peacebar is a healthy, tasting and calming nutrition bar. Peacebar helps people make peace with their body, mind and spirit, which helps create peaceful families, peaceful communities and a peaceful world. They customize bars for the community as a healthy and tasty alternative to cookie and candy fundraising programs.

Charlotte Creech—Combat2Career, provides a web-based portal to match veterans with education programs and job opportunities that best suit their skills and needs. The site offers a tailored college search engine, career portal and social networking community, internship and full-time job postings, as well as mentorship opportunities, which help veterans through the process of making a successful transition from combat 2 college 2 career.  

Our Goal

As of August 1st, 2013, SEIF has a balance of $77,000, including cash and written pledges. The short-term goal is to use this crowdfunding campaign to help bring the balance over $100,000, which will provide us with a baseline amount of capital to start lending to social entrepreneurs. The long-term goal is to have SEIF’s balance sheet exceed $1 million in cash and investments.

Use of Funds

All – yes, 100%- of the funds raised through this crowdfunding campaign will be leant by SEIF to social entrepreneurs operating in Connecticut. The more funding raised, the greater impact the SEIF, and social entrepreneurs can have within the state!

Check out our Page on Startsomegood.com CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR CROWDFUNDING PAGE