VDR Fundmarket
Creators: Dorismar, Rocio and Vivian
School: High School Students from High School for Health Professions and Human Services
Location: Manhattan, NY
Project Themes: Community Connection
About this Project
VDR FundMarket is an app designed to help students and individuals access needed items while also creating opportunities to earn money through buying and selling goods within their community. It addresses financial barriers and the stress of traditional fundraising by providing a simple marketplace where users can list items for sale, purchase what they need, and support shared school or community funding goals. If built, the app would function as a secure, moderated platform where a portion of each sale contributes to school or community needs, while users trade available items from a limited, rotating inventory.
Project Links
Professional Feedback
I think you have a really interesting idea. Positioning is really important to draw people in. At first, when I read your summary, I thought this might be similar to Facebook Marketplace. I asked myself, "I wonder how VDR FundMarket will be unique," but then I saw it's actually targeting students and teachers, which I think is much more unique and interesting.
This is a great idea, but it took me a minute to understand. I would recommend, when you're working on a project like this, to start with what makes you different. This is why editors tell journalists not to "bury the lede".
You do a great job of outlining the business model of why this works in terms of where proceeds are allocated. Very cool idea.
This is a great idea, but it took me a minute to understand. I would recommend, when you're working on a project like this, to start with what makes you different. This is why editors tell journalists not to "bury the lede".
You do a great job of outlining the business model of why this works in terms of where proceeds are allocated. Very cool idea.
Hello Dorismar, Rocio and Vivian,
The thing that undoubtedly stood out to me the most about your project is that it addresses such a major and often overlooked issue: school funding. You're absolutely right in pointing out that the current fundraising model is often short-lived and doesn't always create a lasting impact. Creating an application that provides schools with a more consistent stream of funding is incredibly important, especially considering the ongoing expenses schools face throughout the year.
I also appreciate your emphasis on community involvement. Many people want to support local schools but don't always know how to help or have an easy platform through which to contribute. This is especially true for family members and alumni who may live in different states and can't attend in-person fundraisers. Your app creates an accessible way for those individuals to stay connected and make meaningful contributions.
One advantage of traditional fundraisers, however, is that they are often student-driven, allowing kids to develop valuable skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. With that in mind, I think it would be helpful to provide a clearer vision of what products are being sold and who is selling them. I see two strong approaches:
1. Established companies could offer products through the platform, with a percentage of profits going directly to participating schools.
2. Students could create and sell their own products through the platform, such as artwork, baked goods, crafts, or other projects.
Ideally, a combination of both approaches would create the strongest model. Students would still gain hands-on fundraising experience while schools could benefit from a broader range of products and more consistent revenue. School staff could also monitor and manage student-created listings to ensure quality and safety.
Another feature that wasn't fully clarified but seems very important is the ability to search for or select a specific school. This would allow users to easily find the school they want to support and learn more about it. Schools could showcase the programs, clubs, and initiatives they are raising funds for, whether that's theater programs, computer labs, athletic teams, music departments, or student organizations. Giving donors this visibility helps them understand exactly where their contributions are going and the impact they are making.
Overall, great work! This is a thoughtful and meaningful concept with the potential to make a significant difference for schools and their communities. I have no doubt that an app like this could help many schools secure the support they need to continue providing valuable opportunities for students.
The thing that undoubtedly stood out to me the most about your project is that it addresses such a major and often overlooked issue: school funding. You're absolutely right in pointing out that the current fundraising model is often short-lived and doesn't always create a lasting impact. Creating an application that provides schools with a more consistent stream of funding is incredibly important, especially considering the ongoing expenses schools face throughout the year.
I also appreciate your emphasis on community involvement. Many people want to support local schools but don't always know how to help or have an easy platform through which to contribute. This is especially true for family members and alumni who may live in different states and can't attend in-person fundraisers. Your app creates an accessible way for those individuals to stay connected and make meaningful contributions.
One advantage of traditional fundraisers, however, is that they are often student-driven, allowing kids to develop valuable skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. With that in mind, I think it would be helpful to provide a clearer vision of what products are being sold and who is selling them. I see two strong approaches:
1. Established companies could offer products through the platform, with a percentage of profits going directly to participating schools.
2. Students could create and sell their own products through the platform, such as artwork, baked goods, crafts, or other projects.
Ideally, a combination of both approaches would create the strongest model. Students would still gain hands-on fundraising experience while schools could benefit from a broader range of products and more consistent revenue. School staff could also monitor and manage student-created listings to ensure quality and safety.
Another feature that wasn't fully clarified but seems very important is the ability to search for or select a specific school. This would allow users to easily find the school they want to support and learn more about it. Schools could showcase the programs, clubs, and initiatives they are raising funds for, whether that's theater programs, computer labs, athletic teams, music departments, or student organizations. Giving donors this visibility helps them understand exactly where their contributions are going and the impact they are making.
Overall, great work! This is a thoughtful and meaningful concept with the potential to make a significant difference for schools and their communities. I have no doubt that an app like this could help many schools secure the support they need to continue providing valuable opportunities for students.
