Vancity Project Fund Oct 2007

C1. Organization info:

Staff #: Volunteers #: Annual Budget: $ Year Founded:

C2. Vancity will not support any projects, events or activities associated with companies or organizations that promote the use of weapons, violence, sexual or racial discrimination, exploitation of people or exploitation of the natural environment.

Which other companies and organizations are involved with or supporting this project?

C3. In addition to this grant application, is your organization working with other areas of Vancity?

Yes No

If yes, please describe (what support, from which area?)

Do you have any other grant applications pending with the following:

NO

C5. Briefly describe what you plan to do and how Vancity funds will be used. Please outline the following: goals and objectives of the project; specific activities that will be undertaken in the project; deliverables produced by the project; what you hope to achieve. You must attach a concise project work plan and timeline.

This program is Free Geek's most technically demanding. As the name suggests, the Build program creates all the computers needed for Free Geek's other programs. Volunteers are taught how to build computers working exclusively with used parts. The tested hardware is assembled into standardized desktop computers that are then loaded with Free/Open Source operating systems and applications software. Each system passes a quality control test before it is released to an adopter or non-profit. In exchange for the more detailed training necessary to begin this work, volunteers in the Build program agree to complete six computer systems. After completing six systems, volunteers are invited to keep the sixth computer for themselves. The remaining five computers are distributed into the community through the Adoption and Hardware Grants programs.

C6. Briefly describe your plan for evaluating the goals & objectives of the project. What questions will be addressed? Who will be involved in evaluating this work – staff, board, project participants, community, consultants, etc? How will the results be used? Please identify related costs in your budget.

Effectiveness and impact will be measured through multiple channels:

   * Financial stability

     Our ultimate goal is to produce a financially sustainable non-profit organisation which is able to achieve our mission.
   * Statistics

     Measuring the volume of donations which would otherwise likely end up in the landfill will give us a sense of the impact we are having on waste diversion. The volume of hardware we provide to other non-profits and our volunteers will show the economic impact we are having upon our target audience.
   * Feedback

     Feedback from our volunteers will tell us how we have performed in providing them with the tools and instructions required to help with their work and to make use of the hardware they have received. This feedback will be facilitated by an open meeting structure and consensus-based decision making process.

C8. In what community will the project primarily take place?

The Free Geek project will focus on the Greater Vancouver Regional District of BC, but hopes also to provide the groundwork for other similarly motivated projects starting up in other areas.

C9. The project should draw on the strengths, skills, creativity and other assets of the organization and the community. Briefly describe:

What resources and assets will your organization contribute to the project?

What other community resources and assets will you draw on for this project?

C11. The project should build the capacity of the community and the individuals involved in the project. For example: promotes cooperation, respect, mutual understanding; encourages citizen participation in decision-making; develops local leadership; builds community resources, including skills and knowledge.

Identify the most important way in which your project will build the capacity of the community and individuals.

The Free Geek project will provide a general benefit to all by helping to relieve pressure on the environment due to the release of toxic electronic waste into the landfill.

Due to economic circumstances, a large portion of our volunteers will likely have limited experience with and infrequent access to computers. Free Geek will provide these people with useful hardware and skills training to put it to good use.

C12. Vancity encourages applications for projects that benefit low income and marginalized individuals, groups, or communities.

Does your project benefit low income and/or marginalized peoples? Yes No If yes, who benefits and how?

C13. Organizations are encouraged to share the learning from their project with other organizations or the community if appropriate.

Will your project have any learning that can be shared? Yes No If yes, describe how you will share the learning and with whom?

The other seven Free Geeks, BC Digital Divide, and Computer for Schools.

C14. How will Vancity be recognized for its contribution to this project? List all advertising, staff involvement and promotional opportunities.

Vancity reserves the right to use materials relating to its support of this project in its promotional and advertising campaigns.