CandlePower - A Summary
The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Global Education (the Institute), established in 1991, operates virtually through a worldwide network lead by John Hibbs in San Diego. The Mission of the Institute is to increase access to education by holding events which showcase those using technology in education to exceptional advantage. The largest of these events is Global Learn Day, "the Earth Day of Education." It is easily the largest education convention in the world and gives the Institute worldwide prominence.
The Institute is about to unroll an awareness and funding mechanism called "CandlePower." The central idea of CandlePower is to create a multi-functional apparatus which will (first) be used to increase funding and awareness of Global Learn Day and (second) to offer the mechanism of CandlePower to membership groups and institutions involved in education and technology. By way of Global Learn Day, the Institute is well connected to many dozens of such institutions and has already received positive feedback about offering CandlePower to them.
In one sense, the oddity is there is nothing terribly new about a key function of CandlePower ‹ using candles as a fund raiser. The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, Compassionate Friends, are prime examples. There are dozens of web sites where one can light a virtual candle. For $20 one can purchase videos that tell you how to run a fund-raiser using candles. We aren't ourselves certain why several million visit the "candle" page at Webshots; or why
www.Gratefullness.org/candles generates several hundred thousand visits. Or what makes so many use candles in their bedroom, bathroom, living and dining room.
What we do know is that a campaign directed to those who believe in the merits of education which has in it the words "Light Up" triggers powerful emotions. What we also know is that the mechanism of CandlePower is not within the normal scope of the clients to whom we will offer it, and can therefore be reasonably expected to be attractive to them.
What Exactly is CandlePower?
In essence, it is made up of these elements:
- A great website which is used to entice millions of visitors and capture hundreds and thousands of email addresses.
- A very sophisticated method to electronically solicit donations, tied to a "back-end" electronic collection apparatus already in place.
- Prepackaged merchandise and delivery systems which are attractive to the donors, profitable to the clients and available from carefully selected third party vendors already in place.
- A professional telemarketing and (regular) post card mailing system, provided by third party vendors already in place.
- A customized "template" which makes it easy to sign up and easy to implement.
- The synergy that is likely to come when tens, hundreds or thousands become affiliates of a "Light Up" Campaign.
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Summary of CandlePower
CandlePower Services and Fees
About Owls, Athens, Wisdom and CandleScholar
About a Summit for For a Brighter Path
Photos of Owl Candles
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
JOHN HIBBS
Executive Director,
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Global Education
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Phone: +1 (619) 230 0212
San Diego, California
Learn more about John Hibbs
Copyright © 2003 Benjamin Franklin Institute
of Global Education and individual authors. All rights reserved.
April 2003