Community Project

I founded Happee Guinea, a not-for-profit, community organization to raise funds for the ASPCA. Using this entity, I design custom artwork, publish my designs onto select merchandise and then market / sell my products via eCommerce portals such as Etsy, Shopify (WIP) and WooCommerce (WIP). 100% of the profits made from the sale of the products are donated to the ASPCA. To date, I have donated over $500 to the ASPCA via Happee Guinea product sales.

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Problem Statement:

I have noticed thru many charity fundraisers I have attended that oftentimes people have hesitation donating to charities where they are unable to identify themselves with the cause. There is generally less of an incentive to donate to a charity without knowing how their funding is being utilized. More importantly, the act of donating directly to a charity without any significant incentive also acts as a blocker for fundraising.

My Solution:

To a large degree, this hesitation of donating to a charitable cause can be reduced or removed by allowing people to buy products they like and also noting that the profits from the sale would go to a targeted charity or a charity of their choice.

While this isn't entirely a new concept as most large charitable organizations tend to offer swag in return for donating to their cause, the solution I have come up combines several different facets of volunteering, fundraising and highlighting charitable causes.

Volunteers can spend their efforts in terms of creating and marketing products for charitable causes they believe in. The charities in return get an extension to their own efforts by branching off their cause and awareness thru volunteering activities far outside their realm and reach. It is a win-win for all. The volunteers get to put their time and effort on something that has lasting value. The charities get additional funding thru new fundraising streams that were not on their marketing plans. The donors in turn get a valuable product of their choice while allowing them to show off their love and concern for a cause they care about.

I have created Happee Guinea, an online storefront to publish and market my original artwork that is customized and sold through drop-shipping services. The artwork has a central focus around animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, and chinchillas. The value of the goods sold above the cost to manufacture and ship them to customers are donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). I have started marketing my storefronts using social media and with minimal advertising, all paid for by the profits made from the sale of the products. My goal is to increase the profits that can be donated to ASPCA.