Finding Money for Direct Sponsorship
Real stories and practical strategies for funding person-to-person support
The Van That Changed Everything
Note: This article is part of our evergreen content library, preparing for our Nostr relay launch where we'll have long-form posts with comment capability. We're building a collection of quality content now so we won't have to work frantically after launch.
I want to tell you a story. Please don't think I'm trying to tell you what a "good" person I am - no, I'm just another normal entity running around, trying to get more dopamine!
I was in touch with a friend in Kenya, initially just to help get him onto a permaculture map project I was working on. I saw the great work Evans was doing, and the enormous potential it had for the entire island where he lived, but he was struggling. I could send him an occasional few dollars, but not much.
I thought: how about if there were 20 of me, all just helping Evans? And then another 20 all helping another family in his community, then multiply it to a few hundred sponsors, each donating directly to one family, each of which is participating in the overall project to transform their island home from a drought-ridden landscape to a thriving food forest - what could we achieve?
But this is about one individual - how I can do my part of the whole, because I can't control anything else. Yes, there are those who believe they can control others, but that's another essay.
The Realization
I realized that I was spending an awful lot of money running my little van. I wondered if I could manage without it... for a long time I kept wondering, but really there's only one way to find out.
So I sold the van.
The Challenge
It was awful. Hitching a lift into town used to be easy, but now in this fear-ridden world almost nobody will stop any more, not even for a guy in a very smart white cotton shawl-collar tuxedo. (Maybe that had something to do with it, now I come to think of it).
But the landlady was great and gave me lifts in often enough. I had to adjust to only going twice a week and having to remember things, but the upside was I saved a lot more money just because I was no longer wasting it on take-away dinners, restaurants and coffees.
The Unexpected Multiplication
Then I moved and now I have good neighbors who help out a lot. I am completely used to not having a car, and I explain to them what I am doing with the money I am saving. They responded by not even accepting money for gas. So in effect I have at least two other people sponsoring Evans.
The difference was so big that I found I was never short of cash like I used to be, worrying how to pay the bills. I could also fund other things in other countries. It's amazing.
The Principle Behind the Story
I'm not saying you need to give up your car to sponsor people - it's just an example of a principle. There's no end of things you can do, and if you're wealthy it may just be a case of reassessing your current expenditures on "charity" and reallocating some part of it to a direct sponsorship of an actual person you can be in contact with and really know that your money is doing something worthwhile.
And you'll get a lot more dopamine for the same price!
More Practical Examples
For Different Financial Situations
If You Have a Car (alternatives to selling it)
- Car-sharing for sponsorship: Offer rides to neighbors who pay for gas, redirect savings to sponsorship
- One less restaurant meal per week: $25-50/week = $100-200/month for direct support
- Skip one streaming service: $10-15/month goes to real human impact
- Coffee shop audit: 3 coffees/week at home instead = $15-20/week savings
If You're Wealthy
- Reassess existing charity budget: How much goes to overhead vs. direct impact?
- Corporate entertaining budget: One less business dinner = month of family support
- Subscription audit: How many services do you never use?
- Investment dividend allocation: 1% of returns to direct sponsorship
If You're Struggling Financially
- Skill sharing: Teach something online, donate proceeds
- Decluttering with purpose: Sell items you don't use, direct the money
- Time banking: Trade services with others, create sponsorship funds
- Small consistent amounts: $5/month still makes a real difference
The Multiplier Effect
What happened with Evans: 1. Direct impact: Monthly support for permaculture project 2. Community involvement: Neighbors became indirect sponsors 3. Personal transformation: From struggling with bills to having surplus 4. Network growth: Able to support additional projects 5. Philosophy shift: From abstract charity to personal relationships
Why Direct Sponsorship Works Better
Traditional Charity Model
Your Money → Large Organization → Administrative Costs → Maybe Some Help
Direct Sponsorship Model
Your Money → Lightning Network → Direct to Person → Real Updates
Finding Your Own Way
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What do I spend money on that doesn't really add value to my life?
- How could I get the same result (transport, food, entertainment) for less?
- What would I be willing to change if I knew it directly helped a specific person?
- Who in my network might want to join a sponsorship effort?
- What skills or resources do I have that could generate sponsorship funds?
The Network Effect
Start with one person. When you explain what you're doing and why, others often want to help: - Neighbors offer free rides - Friends suggest cost-saving ideas - Family members contribute to your sponsorship fund - Community forms around shared purpose
Implementation Steps
1. Choose Your Approach
- Identify one expense you could eliminate or reduce
- Calculate monthly/weekly savings potential
- Decide on sponsorship amount and frequency
2. Find Your Recipient
- Through DirectSponsor network
- Personal connections in developing countries
- Verified projects with direct contact capability
3. Set Up Payment System
- Lightning Network for Bitcoin-friendly regions
- Hybrid systems for other areas
- Regular schedule that works for both parties
4. Build Relationships
- Regular communication
- Progress updates and photos
- Understanding of local challenges and successes
5. Share Your Experience
- Tell others about the impact
- Inspire network participation
- Document the transformation (yours and theirs)
Coming Soon: Community Input
When our Nostr relay launches with long-form post capability, we'll have a comments section where you can: - Share your own funding strategies - Suggest creative approaches others might try - Connect with other sponsors - Exchange ideas about sustainable support methods
The goal isn't to create financial hardship for sponsors - it's to redirect existing spending toward maximum human impact and personal satisfaction.
Real Impact Example
Evans' Island Project Progress: - Drought-resistant crops planted - Water catchment systems installed - Community permaculture training - Food security improvements - Knowledge sharing with neighboring islands
Cost to sponsors: Less than most people spend on coffee
Result: Transformation of landscape and community resilience
Bonus: Sponsors save money, build relationships, and experience deeper satisfaction than traditional charitable giving
This article demonstrates that finding money for direct sponsorship isn't about earning more - it's about redirecting what you already spend toward maximum impact and personal connection.
Next Steps: Start small, think creatively, and prepare to be surprised by both the impact on recipients and the positive changes in your own life.
Status: Evergreen content for Nostr launch
Purpose: Practical guidance for potential sponsors
Future: Will be enhanced with community examples and discussion