FAQs: CL Venture Program

1. What benefits will I receive as a Conscious Lifestyle Social Innovator?

• Up to $1,000 in start-up funding
• Web space on consciouslifestyle.org
• Monthly skill-building workshops
• Mentoring from a high performing professional
• A network of social entrepreneurs

2. What are examples of other Conscious Lifestyle ventures?

The focus of each Conscious Lifestyle venture depends on the passion and skills of the social innovators. Our ventures work on environmental, humanitarian, and animal welfare issues. For a complete list of the 2007 ventures, visit http://consciouslifestyle.org/ventures.

3. What do you mean by social entrepreneurship and social responsibility?

A social entrepreneur is someone who uses business savvy to address social problems. Social entrepreneurs are creative, hard working, and passionate about the issues they address. They are practical visionaries.

Social responsibility describes the conscious efforts of individuals and institutions to improve, or at least not harm, other human beings, animals, and the environment.

4. If I am selected as a Social Innovator will my venture automatically get $1,000?

The amount of start-up funding depends on each Venture’s budget. The more thoughtful and detailed your budget is, the better chance you have of receiving a large grant. Although Conscious Lifestyle seeks to provide as much financial assistance as possible, your own ability to become financially sustainable is also very important.

5. You mentioned that Conscious Lifestyle Ventures must be sustainable, what does this mean?

Conscious Lifestyle ventures must be sustainable in terms of membership, leadership, and financial stability. For membership, you must prove in your application that you have the ability to generate interest in your venture and recruit participants. In terms of leadership, you must be able to train you members to take over your venture when you leave. As for financial sustainability, you must be able to fundraise or generate revenue.

6. What is the timeline for the application process?

• August 1, 2008, 5:00pm PST - Submit your application via email.

• August 6-8 - Applicants selected to move to the 2nd round MUST be available for a 15-minute conference call, regarding necessary revisions to their application. Applicants who successfully revise their applications will be selected as finalists.

• August 13-14, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Finalists participate in a selection panel in which they present their action plan to a panel of judges. Selection panels take place via conference call and last approximately 90 minutes. Each finalist will present for 10 minutes, and then respond to questions for 10 minutes.

• August 18 - Winners will be notified and announced.

• August 25 – All winners will take part in a new venture orientation via conference call.

• September - New ventures will meet their mentors, receive their funding, and begin to participate in skill-building workshops.

7. How can I increase the quality of my application?

Begin by reflecting on why you are applying to be a Conscious Lifestyle Social Innovator. Think about how your venture will address the problem you have identified. Then think of everything that you will need to succeed: people, money, publicity, meetings, supplies, etc. The more thoroughly you envision the upcoming year, the better your application will be.

Have someone proof read you application. Ask them to point out anything that is unclear or that you may have left out. Make sure you have addressed every question and that your venture fulfills the mission of Conscious Lifestyle. Keep your answers concise. Make your budget clear.

8. I still have more questions, what should I do?

For more information, check out www.consciouslifestyle.org. If you have any remaining questions, please email mike@consciouslifestyle.org.