Project Eye-To-Eye is an organization whose financial model is grounded in the principles and best practices of social entrepreneurship and catalyst funding. Project Eye-To-Eye strives to provide a cost effective return for our supporters' investment. As an organization, we dedicate well over 90% of our operating budget directly to supporting our local chapters. In a short period of time, Project Eye-To-Eye has added, on average, over four new chapters a year, increasing our programming without significantly increasing our operating budget.

The following are the core components of Project Eye-To-Eye's financial model:

1. ENGAGED AND FINANCIALLY COMMITTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
   
2. CATALYST FOUNDATION FUNDING
   Project Eye-To-Eye's financial model is predicated on using foundation grants as catalyst funding, not as ongoing operational funds. This capital investment allows chapters to build capacity and become self-sustaining after two years of operation.
   
   
3. CHAPTER SUSTAINABILITY
   A fully funded and self-sustaining chapter provides funds for all of Project Eye-To-Eye's national material, travel, training, and supervision cost associated with each chapter. Project Eye-To-Eye demands and supports all of our chapters in adopting an entrepreneurial approach to becoming self-sustaining within a three-year period (one year of development, two years of operation). Project Eye-To-Eye's chapters, once established with an initial capital investment, become self-sustaining through a three-tiered development strategy:
   
   
   • Student Group Funding: Project Eye-To-Eye chapters are required to become institutionally recognized student groups within one year of operation. This status allows chapters to apply for small grants dedicated to student-run organizations.
     
     
   • Grassroots Fundraising: Project Eye-To-Eye chapters hold local grassroots fundraising activities with the parents and educators of Project Eye-To-Eye students. This can take the form of a mailing, small fundraising event, or art shows.
     
     
   • Local Funding: Project Eye-To-Eye chapters seek local funding and in-kind material donations from community businesses and small local charitable foundations to support their work.
     
     
   • Individual and Foundation Matching Grant Program: Many foundations and individual donors earmark grant monies and personal donations specifically for matching grant programs as a way to reward and give incentives to fundraising activities. Project Eye-To-Eye National takes the same approach, partnering with foundations and individuals to match, dollar for dollar, any funds raised by our chapters.
     
     
4. TARGETED MAILING AND EMAIL SOLICITATIONS
   
   
5. FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
   Project Eye-To-Eye holds different types of fundraising events annually including locally sponsored chapter events, the New York City Young Professional Event and the annual New York City Art Event.
   
   
6. PROJECT EYE-TO-EYE MERCHANDISE
   Central to Project Eye-To-Eye's organizational vision and mission is the development of products that reflect, and in turn create, LD/ADHD culture. Project Eye-To-Eye sells T-shirts, books, videos, "I Rode the Short Bus" t-shirts, which have been tremendously popular.
   
   
7. FEE-FOR-SERVICE MODELS
   Project Eye-To-Eye is committed to aggressively pursuing fee for service models to generate un-restricted funds for the organization. Project Eye-To-Eye has identified the following fee for service models, including college counseling for high school students and their families, teacher training programs, and a speakers' bureau.
   
   
8. MISSION RELATED BUSINESS: COGNITIVE DIVERSITY ASSOCIATES
   An entire generation has now completed its education receiving accommodations and modifications. However, research shows that modern working environments are years behind, leaving a generation of intelligent and qualified workers with learning disabilities economically marginalized. In addition, many employed workers with learning disabilities are un-productive or under-productive in their working environment a result of non-accommodating working environments. While diversity training is standard in many large organizations and companies, not one single diversity training organization addresses the issues of learning disabilities, cognitive diversity (other mental health issues and cognitive differences) and learning diversity. Project Eye-To-Eye's Executive Staff, have created an autonomous, for-profit organization that provides cognitive diversity consulting services to business. Ten percent of all revenues from this business are donated back to Project Eye-To-Eye National.

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