What's going on here?
In January of 2012, we asked people to donate gis they did not need and we collected over 50 gis! It was amazing to get such a response from the BJJ community. Currently, we have well over 100 gis and will have more before we are all done collecting. But, then we will need to get the gis to those who need them.
This is where you come in.
The problem is that getting these gis to Brazil, to the people who need them most, is very expensive. We have done a tremendous amount of research and we have calculated that it will cost a great deal of money for these gis to get to their destination.
The goal, up in the top right, is the amount of money that we'll need to get most of the gis that the Chicago BJJ community has donated to their new home.
What's in it for me?
That's a great question. Take a look over on the right and you'll see a list of perks that are available for different donation amounts. You'll notice many of them include limited edition items only for Gi Drive donors, and other perks donated by some amazing individuals and companies. But there's more...
We have put together a few premium perks for people who feel as passionate about this project as we do. Donating money is a gratifying feeling in itself, but we would like to thank you for the time and effort it takes to do so. We have chosen to use IndieGoGo to allow you to purchase gifts and packages as our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to you. Please take your time to look through them all and find one that fits your needs and ability to give.
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While we do need donors to fund this project, if you can’t assist us monetarily, you can help us in other ways. Share this page with everybody at your academy, and especially with your instructor.
In many cases, spreading the word about the Gi Drive is going to be infinitely more valuable than any monetary donation you can make (but don’t let us discourage you if you want to!)
Post it on message boards and let people who also train BJJ know what we’re doing. Share it with your parents, friends, and other family members and if you are as passionate about this project as we are, I am sure they will be too!
What if we raise more than our goal?
The best part happens if we go over our goal. Three things will happen:
First, we be able to get more gis to those who need them. The amount you see above is the minimum amount we need to get most of the gis we've collected to those who need them. The more we funds we raise, the more we can send!
Second, Gi Drive becomes an ongoing project. It's our dream to send our gis on an annual (or, gasp... quarterly) basis! The more funds we raise, the closer this comes to a reality.
Third, more perks become available to our donors! We have about ten perks waiting to be announced. Again, the more funds we raise, the more we can share with the donors!
What if I have no idea how IndieGoGo works?
If you aren't familiar with how IndieGoGo or how it works, let me explain.
For the next 60 days, you'll be able to pledge money to help support this project, ranging from $1 to whatever you can afford without getting in trouble with your significant other. For your pledge, you can choose perk packages listed on the right. You can always pledge more than the minimum for that perk (in fact, you'll need to do so if it must be shipped internationally). Your credit card or account will not be charged when you make the pledge, and will only be charged after our deadline.
It is my hope that our gi drive will give people the opportunity to participate in the sport we all love. In our hands, we hold a very real chance to give others the same benefits that we experience every time we step on the mat. It is my hope that you will join with us in this project.
~Brendan Hufford (BJJinChicago)
