Hi.
My name is Pierre, and I am the CEO of the Big Bang Ballers.
We use basketball to fight youth poverty and social disadvantage around the world.
Since 2008, we’ve taken care of over 35,000 kids in 10 countries and donated over $250,000 worth of cash, school supplies, books, toys, sports equipment, food and medical supplies to schools, orphanages and local youth-based charities.
With a staff of 80 full-time volunteers, all of whom give their time without a cent in compensation, we run 27 programs in our target countries, bringing together boys and girls from different socio-economic groups, bridging the gap between cultures and races and helping the most impoverished, at-risk kids across the globe.
We like being relatively small; it allows us to allocate 95 to 97 cents of every dollar we receive directly towards our programs. Less costs and overheads means your donations go further, faster.
We rely entirely on donated funds, equipment, goods and services; when we build a court for a small school in Bangladesh, individuals join our team by donating cement and materials. When we build school rooms in Afghanistan so young girls can receive the same education as their male counterparts, individuals donate the bricks and mortar we need to complete the job.
We’re firm believers in the power of Team, and Our Team Is Strong.
We rely ENTIRELY on donated funds.
In September, after announcing we’re sending more money to Afghanistan to help teach young girls maths and English, our website was hacked.
It was hacked so thoroughly that it was down for 2 months.
Whoever hacked us deleted EVERY SINGLE post we had put up since 2008, and replaced our front page with a picture of Osama Bin Laden.
But you know what, we’re not sad or upset… anymore, anyway.
You can’t stop what we’re doing, we don’t quit for anyone or anything.
So now we’re back online.
The things we are doing are working, so we’re re-motivated, re-energised and ready to make 2013 our best year yet.
For that, we need your help.
It costs us $10,000 per country that we work. Yup, that’s not a typo. IT ONLY COSTS US $10,000 per country to take care of 35,000+ kids.
How do we do that? Easy; 97cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our programs. We have almost no admin costs, we have ZERO staff costs, and we’re possibly the most motivated crew you will ever encounter. We have teams in EVERY COUNTRY we work in, so there’s sustainability, longevity and dedication in every single program we run.
In addition, we run tours to 1-3 countries per year, costing $25,000 per tour, where we set up our teams, we train our staff and make HUGE donations to partner schools and orphanages.
That’s $185,000 per year.
Let me say that again, THAT’S ONLY $185,000 PER YEAR TO TAKE CARE OF 35,000 KIDS IN 11 COUNTRIES!
So here’s what I’m asking: I need help raising that amount.
Our site was down at the WORST possible time, and with all of the work that we do, we can’t afford to pay someone to maintain the site on a regular basis, so for as long as the site was down, we couldn’t get donations.
Over the last 3 years of our existence, people have proven to us again and again that you just can’t limit how generous and wonderful people are.
If you are so inclined, we would really appreciate if you could either donate or get the word out about our donation drive.
Our annual reports and financials are all available on our website, and of course if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can donate from our donation page HERE, or head over to our shop and purchase a Fair-Trade item in time for Christmas!
Thank you for your time, your patience as we got back online, and to all our wonderful supporters over the years, THANK YOU.
My Team Is Strong.
Pierre Johannessen
CEO
Big Bang Ballers
