We Fly - Sharing a Love of Kites
Donation protected
Hey all, my name is Nic O'Neill and I really do love kite flying. I love flying kites
It isn’t just flying them that I love, I also love building them, watching them, and I REALLY love giving kites away. Last year it was the subject of a TED talk I gave. My talk was centered around why kite flying is important, and why it is something that we should look at. (TED Talk is here: Kite Flying )
I honestly believe that kites serve different purposes for different people. For a kid,they can be the tool that allows them to be creative, or to help them learn about flying, or perhaps their gateway into engineering. For others it can help them create new connections between their creative and physical self. Still others may find that they are the platform for greater engineering feats to solve our worlds problems, or part of a living history that spans all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
You can call it luck, or opportunity -or what I call Fortuna- that I (and my partner Paul de Bakker) travel the world connecting with humanity and exploring our world via kites. That is why I started Fortuna Found . It is taking the opportunities that are out there, and helping others to realize the same. Helping them find the opportunities for themselves.
Almost all of the workshops I host are for free. In a given year, it is not unlikely that I will give away around a thousand kites. That is a thousand kids of all ages (adults too!!) that will have taken to the skies with a kite that they built themselves.
Since January of this year, I have already given away somewhere around 300-400 kites; expecting that the biggest event would be this summer. Well, things took a turn… a turn for the better. Fortuna struck again, and as the saying goes "fortis Fortuna adiuvat". Or, fortune favors the bold. Many people might think this only applies to actual financial fortune, but it doesn't. It is deeper than that, more complex.
If anything it is a 'lifestyle', or a personal motto I took on some time ago. It means that if I want to see something happen, I have to be willing to take risks, I have to be ready and accepting of opportunities. So, If say, I want to see 1,000 kites in the air made by new kite fliers, then, I have to take the risk and step out there. I have to step up and take the opportunity to showcase at Makers Faire's when they are presented.
Apparently, when you spread so much love and joy, others take notice and new opportunities arise. In a two week time frame I have been invited to do this particular kite workshop at not only 2 regional makers faire's, but also host a few independent workshops, and… well.. Here is the big one…. I have been invited to participate in the World Maker Faire in New York!
With the additional events added, my previous 1,000 kites mark is not going to be adequate enough. By best estimates -after 4 years of doing Makers Faire's- I am looking at anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 to be handed out in the next 2.5 months. These are all kites that I prep in our studio by hand.
Which... presents me with a new dilemma; this far exceeds my budget for what I typically set aside every year. I hate to admit this... it feels strange to ask... but I need help. I would hate to turn down this opportunity because of my ‘kite give-away budget’.
My budget is usually set to provide for roughly 1,000 of them, plus my travel expenses associated with the workshops. Sometimes I am able to get discounts on bulk items, or can find donations of materials. Sometimes, folks chip in a meal or gas money for an event.
In order to pull this off I am projecting out that for the extra materials and travel expenses, I will need roughly $2,500-$3,500. That feels like a lot of money to raise in such a short amount of time. That feels like I would be asking a lot of my friends and network to believe in this.
I want to do this right. I want to give those that donate, a thank you gift for being so bold. I also want to pass on the knowledge and share what I can to anyone and everyone that could use it.
As I go through this project I am creating a FREE e-book about how to make the kite, and how to host the workshop. I want every teacher, every maker, every Scout troop, every Boys & Girls Club, every Senior Center, everyone to have access to building this kite, and the tools to do so with no experience as a kite flier or kite-builder.
That is my gift to everyone, without restriction.
(this is a peek at the rough draft of the cover for the e-book, it may change)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alright, this is where you come in.
I wish I could offer more, but I am mainly focused on giving away the kites at these events. Let it be said, if you have a special something in mind, please message me directly and we can work something out. All donors that opt to include their name will be recognized in the coming videos. If you do not wish your name to be published, please let me know.
Level 1
$25 - Personalized hand-written Thank You letter along with a photo from the events, 'WeFly' Vinyl Sticker
Level 2
$50 - Printed and signed copy of e-book , Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 3
$100 - 2 Printed e-books - one for you to give away! You can tell me where to send it, or I will send both to you. 1.5"x1.5" kite button, Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 4
$250 Option 1 - Custom Skate built by Paul de Bakker - this is a glider kite that kicked off the indoor glider craze. It can be flown outdoors as well. (check out this video: Skate Flying )
$250 Option 2 - 1 printed e-book for you, 1 book and full set of workshop materials for organization/school/group of your choosing (up to 75 kites), Personal 'flight crew' t-shirt (with your name on it) Kite Button, Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 5
$500+ Uhm, wow.... Let's Chat!!!!
Some FAQ
Q: I would rather donate directly instead of via Gofundme. What should I do?
A: If you would rather donate directly via PayPal use: paypal.me/Fortunafound All levels will also be honored if donated privately.
Q: How will the book look when it is printed?
A: It will be a paperback, saddle stitch booklet of approximately 50 pages, with a mix of black and white and color photos.
Q: What if you raise more money than you need, what will you do with the extra donations?
A: In the event that we raise more than what is needed, all excess funds will go into the 'Kite-making fund' that I have set aside to give away free kites every year. This will help with other opportunities, like being able to take extra kits with us and hand out 'full workshop packages' to teachers or facilitators. Typically I take names of teachers at the event and if I have left over materials I send it to them. If I have the money to purchase the materials ahead of time, I will be able to hand it out to them on the spot or mail it to their classrooms. :)
Q: How will I know that what I have donated is spent on what you promise?
A: While I would love to have everyone along on this journey with me physically, and have them share in the experience, that isn't practical. So, that means that the best way I can still let everyone know what is going on is online. Along the way I will be publishing photos, videos and blog updates about preparations and the events. Best bet is to check out our website www.fortunafound.com, or look for 'Fortuna Found' on Facebook, Youtube, or Instagram and hit the follow button. You will get notified immediately when something is posted, otherwise I will be sending out emails with all of that information to those that opt in to email updates. The money raised will go to the kites and some, but not all, travel expenses. Kites first. :)
Q: Do you sell the kite kits?
A: No, the ones we give away at the Makers Faire's are free. We encourage others to take our model and make it for themselves. I have learned so much from the Maker community, including new ways of thinking about creative projects. At the core of that is the free exchange of knowledge and that is why it is important for me to continue to provide free kites where-ever possible.
Q: When will the e-book be ready?
A: I am currently writing a few e-books and need to get all of the kites prepped. That is of course my first priority. So, right now, my expected deadline for the book to be available online is by the end of August, 2018. Print versions will be available shortly after that.
Q: When can I expect my Thank You Gift?
A: The next two months are very busy, but, I am hoping to start mailing Thank You gifts by the end of September, 2018. The one exception is the Custom Skates. Those will be delivered at a later date to be arranged with each person.
Q: What will you do if you don't raise enough money.
A: A hard choice will have to be made. Potentially cancel going to an event, or not be able to provide enough kites for a given event.
Q: Why not use pre-made kite kits?
A: First let me say, I LOVE those kits. Often times I use them for the smaller workshops. There are several companies I would recommend if you are looking for one yourself. For the Makers Faires however, they become cost and time prohibitive. The current sled kite we use is made of easy to find inexpensive materials, and takes approximately 1 minute to put together. With 6 stations in the booth to work at, that means those manning the table can reach more people in the allotted time. The goal isn't to give them a kite that will last them the rest of their lives, the goal is to encourage them to fly and to look deeper into kite flying for themselves.
Full disclosure, I am currently serving as the President of the American Kitefliers Association, a nationwide non-profit that is focused on spreading the love and joy of kite flying. I will not be taking any funds from the AKA in order to accomplish this, nor am I showcasing as the AKA at any of these events. I will be sharing information about the AKA for interested parties, just as I do with all of the various information materials I have on hand, but for ethical reasons I feel it is important to note that any donations to this cause are to me and for this purpose, not for any AKA business, or for promotion of the AKA.
It isn’t just flying them that I love, I also love building them, watching them, and I REALLY love giving kites away. Last year it was the subject of a TED talk I gave. My talk was centered around why kite flying is important, and why it is something that we should look at. (TED Talk is here: Kite Flying )
I honestly believe that kites serve different purposes for different people. For a kid,they can be the tool that allows them to be creative, or to help them learn about flying, or perhaps their gateway into engineering. For others it can help them create new connections between their creative and physical self. Still others may find that they are the platform for greater engineering feats to solve our worlds problems, or part of a living history that spans all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
You can call it luck, or opportunity -or what I call Fortuna- that I (and my partner Paul de Bakker) travel the world connecting with humanity and exploring our world via kites. That is why I started Fortuna Found . It is taking the opportunities that are out there, and helping others to realize the same. Helping them find the opportunities for themselves.
Almost all of the workshops I host are for free. In a given year, it is not unlikely that I will give away around a thousand kites. That is a thousand kids of all ages (adults too!!) that will have taken to the skies with a kite that they built themselves.
Since January of this year, I have already given away somewhere around 300-400 kites; expecting that the biggest event would be this summer. Well, things took a turn… a turn for the better. Fortuna struck again, and as the saying goes "fortis Fortuna adiuvat". Or, fortune favors the bold. Many people might think this only applies to actual financial fortune, but it doesn't. It is deeper than that, more complex.
If anything it is a 'lifestyle', or a personal motto I took on some time ago. It means that if I want to see something happen, I have to be willing to take risks, I have to be ready and accepting of opportunities. So, If say, I want to see 1,000 kites in the air made by new kite fliers, then, I have to take the risk and step out there. I have to step up and take the opportunity to showcase at Makers Faire's when they are presented.
Apparently, when you spread so much love and joy, others take notice and new opportunities arise. In a two week time frame I have been invited to do this particular kite workshop at not only 2 regional makers faire's, but also host a few independent workshops, and… well.. Here is the big one…. I have been invited to participate in the World Maker Faire in New York!
With the additional events added, my previous 1,000 kites mark is not going to be adequate enough. By best estimates -after 4 years of doing Makers Faire's- I am looking at anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 to be handed out in the next 2.5 months. These are all kites that I prep in our studio by hand.
Which... presents me with a new dilemma; this far exceeds my budget for what I typically set aside every year. I hate to admit this... it feels strange to ask... but I need help. I would hate to turn down this opportunity because of my ‘kite give-away budget’.
My budget is usually set to provide for roughly 1,000 of them, plus my travel expenses associated with the workshops. Sometimes I am able to get discounts on bulk items, or can find donations of materials. Sometimes, folks chip in a meal or gas money for an event.
In order to pull this off I am projecting out that for the extra materials and travel expenses, I will need roughly $2,500-$3,500. That feels like a lot of money to raise in such a short amount of time. That feels like I would be asking a lot of my friends and network to believe in this.
I want to do this right. I want to give those that donate, a thank you gift for being so bold. I also want to pass on the knowledge and share what I can to anyone and everyone that could use it.
As I go through this project I am creating a FREE e-book about how to make the kite, and how to host the workshop. I want every teacher, every maker, every Scout troop, every Boys & Girls Club, every Senior Center, everyone to have access to building this kite, and the tools to do so with no experience as a kite flier or kite-builder.
That is my gift to everyone, without restriction.
(this is a peek at the rough draft of the cover for the e-book, it may change)_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alright, this is where you come in.
I wish I could offer more, but I am mainly focused on giving away the kites at these events. Let it be said, if you have a special something in mind, please message me directly and we can work something out. All donors that opt to include their name will be recognized in the coming videos. If you do not wish your name to be published, please let me know.
Level 1
$25 - Personalized hand-written Thank You letter along with a photo from the events, 'WeFly' Vinyl Sticker
Level 2
$50 - Printed and signed copy of e-book , Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 3
$100 - 2 Printed e-books - one for you to give away! You can tell me where to send it, or I will send both to you. 1.5"x1.5" kite button, Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 4
$250 Option 1 - Custom Skate built by Paul de Bakker - this is a glider kite that kicked off the indoor glider craze. It can be flown outdoors as well. (check out this video: Skate Flying )
$250 Option 2 - 1 printed e-book for you, 1 book and full set of workshop materials for organization/school/group of your choosing (up to 75 kites), Personal 'flight crew' t-shirt (with your name on it) Kite Button, Thank You Letter, 2 Stickers
Level 5
$500+ Uhm, wow.... Let's Chat!!!!
Some FAQ
Q: I would rather donate directly instead of via Gofundme. What should I do?
A: If you would rather donate directly via PayPal use: paypal.me/Fortunafound All levels will also be honored if donated privately.
Q: How will the book look when it is printed?
A: It will be a paperback, saddle stitch booklet of approximately 50 pages, with a mix of black and white and color photos.
Q: What if you raise more money than you need, what will you do with the extra donations?
A: In the event that we raise more than what is needed, all excess funds will go into the 'Kite-making fund' that I have set aside to give away free kites every year. This will help with other opportunities, like being able to take extra kits with us and hand out 'full workshop packages' to teachers or facilitators. Typically I take names of teachers at the event and if I have left over materials I send it to them. If I have the money to purchase the materials ahead of time, I will be able to hand it out to them on the spot or mail it to their classrooms. :)
Q: How will I know that what I have donated is spent on what you promise?
A: While I would love to have everyone along on this journey with me physically, and have them share in the experience, that isn't practical. So, that means that the best way I can still let everyone know what is going on is online. Along the way I will be publishing photos, videos and blog updates about preparations and the events. Best bet is to check out our website www.fortunafound.com, or look for 'Fortuna Found' on Facebook, Youtube, or Instagram and hit the follow button. You will get notified immediately when something is posted, otherwise I will be sending out emails with all of that information to those that opt in to email updates. The money raised will go to the kites and some, but not all, travel expenses. Kites first. :)
Q: Do you sell the kite kits?
A: No, the ones we give away at the Makers Faire's are free. We encourage others to take our model and make it for themselves. I have learned so much from the Maker community, including new ways of thinking about creative projects. At the core of that is the free exchange of knowledge and that is why it is important for me to continue to provide free kites where-ever possible.
Q: When will the e-book be ready?
A: I am currently writing a few e-books and need to get all of the kites prepped. That is of course my first priority. So, right now, my expected deadline for the book to be available online is by the end of August, 2018. Print versions will be available shortly after that.
Q: When can I expect my Thank You Gift?
A: The next two months are very busy, but, I am hoping to start mailing Thank You gifts by the end of September, 2018. The one exception is the Custom Skates. Those will be delivered at a later date to be arranged with each person.
Q: What will you do if you don't raise enough money.
A: A hard choice will have to be made. Potentially cancel going to an event, or not be able to provide enough kites for a given event.
Q: Why not use pre-made kite kits?
A: First let me say, I LOVE those kits. Often times I use them for the smaller workshops. There are several companies I would recommend if you are looking for one yourself. For the Makers Faires however, they become cost and time prohibitive. The current sled kite we use is made of easy to find inexpensive materials, and takes approximately 1 minute to put together. With 6 stations in the booth to work at, that means those manning the table can reach more people in the allotted time. The goal isn't to give them a kite that will last them the rest of their lives, the goal is to encourage them to fly and to look deeper into kite flying for themselves.
Full disclosure, I am currently serving as the President of the American Kitefliers Association, a nationwide non-profit that is focused on spreading the love and joy of kite flying. I will not be taking any funds from the AKA in order to accomplish this, nor am I showcasing as the AKA at any of these events. I will be sharing information about the AKA for interested parties, just as I do with all of the various information materials I have on hand, but for ethical reasons I feel it is important to note that any donations to this cause are to me and for this purpose, not for any AKA business, or for promotion of the AKA.
Organiser
Nic O'Neill
Organiser
Oak Harbor, WA
