This policy has been put forth by SponsorChange.org, a grassroots online platform that will allow donors to help non-profits have a greater impact by collectively sponsoring the service of college graduates. As college graduates use their skills to complete meaningful community service projects they receive direct student loan account payments. Our website will allow college graduates to raise funds from peers similar to kiva.org.

Each hour of service completed is worth $20 -- far better than a second job and also more meaningful work.  

 

ADVOCATING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SIMPLY ELIMINATE ALL STUDENT LOAN DEBT OF COLLEGE GRADUATES IS AN ARDUOUS IDEA.

Our policy takes a pragmatic approach by connecting rising student loan debt to poor civic engagement rates of college graduates and the subsequent strain this puts on non-profits and the community.  In doing so, we make change by simultaneously decreasing student loans and increasing civic engagement.  This approach provides a pathway to service-empowering those receiving student loan relief, and allowing them to stand on their own dignity.

 

THROUGH OUR PLATFORM:

- You could sponsor the service of your friends

- Corporations could sponsor their employees to serve at non-profits for student loan pay. 

- Municipalities could sponsor college graduates to work as TA's in local k-12 public schools

- Faith Based organizations could sponsor the service of their members

- Parents could offer you a service gift card for graduation

 

THE NEED

Today, two-thirds of college students borrow to pay for college, and their average debt load is $23,186 by the time they graduate, according to an analysis of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. Many college graduates are working second and even third jobs. As a result, millennial's volunteer service rate is currently 21%, the lowest cohort as cited by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

WHENEVER COLLEGE GRADUATES HAVE TO WORK A SECOND OR THIRD JOB TO PAY THE BILLS, NON-PROFITS LOSE OUT ON THEIR SKILLS AND THE COMMUNITY LOSES OUT.

WHY NOT REWARD THEIR MUCH NEEDED SERVICE AT NON-PROFITS?

 

OBJECTIVES:

A. Offer sponsors a transparent approach to philanthropic giving, by putting them at the center of change in progress. Sponsors live vicariously through the volunteers they sponsor.

B. Help non-profits reach their potential through capacity building.

C. Assist college graduates in the repayment of student loan debt.

D. Create a lifestyle of service after student loan debt is eliminated.

E. Increase the national service rates of the millennial generation.

F. Advocate for further student loan relief, by demonstrating our members impact in the community.

 

Since April, 2009 SponsorChange.org has mobilized 14 college graduates to complete nearly 400 hours of service at non-profits and has raised money to award close to $8,000 in student loan payments. 

Our membership currently is at 1100 college graduates.  Through your support we can bring the resources needed to expand our service to help non-profits across the United States better fulfill their missions and sponsor the service of thousands of college graduates with debt.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Raymar Hampshire 

Co-Founder & CEO 

SponsorChange.org