Giving a little goes a long way
Cleo Barnett is using crowdfunding to join and raise awareness of Little Lotus, a collaborative art project linking artists with refugee children on the Thailand-Burma border.
Cleo tells us more about the project and how rather than taking a 'strategic approach' to fundraising, she just looked at what it would take to get herself to donate.
"So many people are just straight asking for money these days. For me it's about coming up with creative ways to give back to my supporters in a tangible way."
Creative discipline: Creative events mixed in with a bit of whimsical dreaming, playing dress up and taking photographs.
Tell us a bit about the Little Lotus project and how you became involved?
Little Lotus is a collaborative art project linking 12 International artists with refugee children on the Thai/Burma border in a little town called Mea Sot. We will visit SpinningTop sponsored schools, working with the children on a variety of art projects including art classes, murals and paint parties. The artworks created by the kids will then be given to artists both on this trip and back home in LA and NZ for them to add their layers to the works. The final art works will be for sale at an art exhibition back home in Auckland and another one in LA, which will provide the bulk of our fund raising.
I got involved in this year's trip by getting in touch with Pat Shepard, the project manager for the Little Lotus. It just started with me letting him know that I really loved the concept behind this project and that this is something I have always wanted to do. He took me up on that offer and I suppose the rest is history.
What are you fundraising for?
Funds that are raised from Little Lotus Pt 2 will go towards the ongoing welfare and education of all the children in the SpinningTop sponsored schools. This is everything from making sure the schools are equipped to feed each of the children lunch every day, to building them a playground.
Right now I am fundraising to firstly raise awareness about what we are doing and second to help me get over to Thailand, ie to cover my costs for this two week volunteer trip.
How are you fundraising for it?
The bulk of my fundraising is taking place online through word of mouth within my networks. I have also been running a few competitions offering spot prizes to people that donate. For this I have been working with people in the community that are on a similar vibe like the ladies at SPLORE. They have given me two single passes to this amazing music and art festival which I am currently holding as a bit of a competition. Anyone that donates to my cause for the month of November goes in the draw to win one of these tickets.
I have also hosted a mini event with my friend Meghan who is also going on this trip. Some of our amazing friends contributed by bringing in beer and making mojitos. We also got a contribution from our friends at Lothlorien Feijoa Wine. All drinks sold on the night went to our fundraising efforts and we raised a few hundred each and spoke to a lot of people in depth about what we are doing.
How much research and strategic thinking did you put into it?
To be honest not too much. I more looked at what it would take to get myself to donate. So many people are just straight asking for money these days. For me it's about coming up with creative ways to give back to my supporters in a tangible way.
Why did you decide to crowdfund it instead of going to one big sponsor?
One of the main purposes of fundraising for the Little Lotus Project is to raise awareness about what we are doing. This is very much a collaborative project, we are literally collaborating with artists from around the world to raise money for these kids. It's important for as many people as possible to understand what we are up to and why, so crowdfunding seemed to be the logical way to fundraise.
What have you discovered are the pros and cons of doing it this way?
Pros are you get your message out to the people in your community making it more about raising awareness then raising money. Cons are it takes longer to reach your financial goal.
What feedback have you received from others?
All of the feedback about this trip has been really positive. Luckily the Spinning Top has a lot of integrity and transparency so they are a great company to collaborate on something like this with.
Would you do it again? What would you change?
Yes I would definitely do it again! Suppose I haven’t yet been over to Thailand so maybe ask me again when I get back.
Any tips for others wanting to try this form of fundraising?
I think the main thing to realise is that it does take a lot of time and energy. If I was to do it all again I would leave more time for a massive fundraising party. Everything I have done has been pretty low key because I have had a lot of work on. I think that people are keen to donate and contribute to a good cause…but they also really want to be informed about where the money is going and what exactly you are doing. Also a lot of people are more likely to donate if they get something physically out of it. Finding creative ways to give back to your donors I have found is key.
Now pitch your project and why we should give to it....
The Little Lotus Project is all about giving the children of Mae Sot a time out from their everyday to dream and play. It is about connecting with our brothers and sisters, about letting them know we are here for them. 12 artists from around the world are getting together to make music and art with these kids. We will then bring this music and art back to our home countries to share and ultimately sell, with all of the money going straight back to these kids. This will provide the bulk of our fundraising. Your donation today helps get to Thailand so we can make the art shows in New Zealand and LA a reality.
And how do we give?
You can donate direct on my Givealittle Page:
And to find out more about the Little Lotus and where it all started.
Further information on Cleo:
Since moving to NZ in 2009 Cleo Barnett has been organizing art, music and fashion events around Auckland. She has a passion for organizing not for profit, community based art events but have always walked through life eager to try out new things, so who knows what the future will bring? The majority of her days are spent brainstorming with creatives, turning whimsical ideas into reality or wandering the streets taking photographs of people, things, places, anything really that catches her eye. Combining her passions for photography, the arts and writing she has been creating and documenting playful events around town.
