About Us
Connections 4 Friends is being developed by a group of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students who want to make social isolation and loneliness history for adults and seniors (18 to 80 and up) through easy-to-find shared activities and events. Our goal is to have a page on our website for each county, nationwide, so locals and visitors can easily find activities and events where they can make friends and build social networks.
We are currently in the startup phase - described on the Events & Activities page.
Once we are funded for a region, we will post online feedback forms on the Contact Us page.
What do we do?
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Collaborate and network for information on organizations with activities and/or events for local or visiting adults and seniors.
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Build and manage the database on our website
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Provide an easy search of organizations with links to their activities and events on worldwide, national, and county levels
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Regional expansion strategy by each county to nationwide
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Customers: foundation, community, & government agency grants, donations, including endowments, crowdfunding and other fundraisers.
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We price per county or region based on population and size, incorporating all direct and indirect operating expenses. As more counties have a page on our website, we will hire additional staff as needed.
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Free to end-users: local and visiting adults, seniors, support networks, and organizations with activities and events for adults and seniors; donations are welcome
Message from a Nonprofit Founder
As a student, I wanted something that I would be happy doing for 30 years after graduating. I will be the Executive Director before graduating in 2023 with my bachelor's degree at 54 years old, so that means I plan on being happy doing this job when I am 84 years old. Ageism, able-ism, and socioeconomic status can each take a flying leap. Anybody with me on that?
As a founder of Connections 4 Friends, formerly known as Connections, I am working with other students building this dream nonprofit.
The business idea was developed more fully in BUS 410 - New Venture Design. We won enough money in the Social Venture Division of Startup Challenge Monterey Bay pay for filing as a California Nonprofit and 501(c)3. Currently, we can accept donations and grants through socialgoodfund.org. Once the filing is complete, we become a 501(c)3, we can apply directly for grants and donations to fulfill our mission and vision.
While pursuing a BA in Collaborative Health and Human Services (CHHS) from CSUMB, I am acquiring all the knowledge and resources I need to get the company up and running and become the Executive Director before graduation. My concentrations are Public Administration/Nonprofit Management and Social Work, with a minor in Nonprofit Management. To become familiar with all aspects of the nonprofit, I am also taking Computer Science and Technology classes.
The CHHS major included an internship with the iiED (Institute for Innovation and Economic Development AKA Startup Monterey Bay), College of Business, CSUMB. My capstone project was focused on increasing diversity in Startup Monterey Bay entrepreneurship events and programs. My theory was that many under-served populations are serving in and/or being served by nonprofits and government agencies, including schools and student groups, so my capstone pursued that angle.
Since Startup Monterey Bay is in the College of Business at CSUMB, it chiefly focused on for-profit entrepreneurship and only recently started the Social Venture Division. Studying in the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, I recognized the differences between nonprofits and for-profits. As a low-income person starting up a nonprofit organization by participating in the programs and events, I give helpful feedback. Connections 4 Friends and future nonprofit and for-profit entrepreneurs also benefit.