This week we are proud to feature two of our newest DonorNation citizens, Gilbert Badilla and his wife Maria. Gilbert is the owner of Charitable Organic Sweet (COS) and his wife, Maria, is a drama teacher at a San Diego high school. Now you can enjoy Gil's delectable confections knowing that your purchase is helping to maintain and improve the quality of education at local schools. In the DonorNation marketplace, COS empowers the buyers of their organic chocolates to direct 10% of the purchase price to a school of their choice. Of course, as a high-school teacher, Maria is thrilled at the prospect!
Indulge in sweetness with a conscience—you'll enjoy a delicious experience and help your favorite school with each bite! Read our interview with Gil and Maria to learn more about COS and also hear directly from one of our local teachers about the challenges that local schools face in fundraising. Plus, find out why they both support the DonorNation philanthropic marketplace.
DonorNation: Why did you start Charitable Organic Sweet?
Gil: I started COS out of the love of being in the kitchen. I have worked in the legal field for years, however my true passion is baking. Initially, I started making chocolate treats in my spare time as a hobby. Eventually friends started requesting my baked goods for holidays and it skyrocketed from there.
DonorNation: Why is it important to you to support your community?
Gil: As I launched, I knew I wanted to give back and am baffled as to why every company doesn't do the same. 10% is doable as a business owner and in return it is something we can all absorb as a community. My client is the community. With that said, I have embedded the principle of “giving back” within the mission of my company.
DonorNation: How does DonorNation's mission to support local schools and local business align with the values of COS?
Gil: The concept is very similar to my initial business plan—the philanthropic marketplace is right up my alley. My ultimate goal is to give back to our community on a larger scale. DonorNation allows me to do just that. It is different than any other platform I see out there. As a business owner, it provides me with the tools to build my client base while also empowering my customers to give back to our schools.
Plus, from my teacher wife, I have learned first-hand the challenges of fundraising. Most folks hands are often tied when it comes to traditional fundraising—there is only so much time and money people can give. However, now with DonorNation, you can help schools fundraise on auto-pilot with minimal time and effort required. It provides schools with a sustainable source of funding 24/7/365.
DonorNation: Your goal is to turn COS into a full-time business. How is DonorNation supporting you as an entrepreneur?
Gil: The first thing that comes to mind is that DonorNation helps me reach new clients. The platform introduces me to a whole new audience that I would not have been connected to without DonorNation. Ultimately, the marketplace provides me with greater exposure.
DonorNation: Maria, as a school teacher, you experience the funding crisis first-hand. How has it impacted your school?
Maria: As a school, we are left to bridge budget shortfalls by relying heavily on fundraising. However, fundraising is difficult to do in any type of educational establishment. You have to take into account the fact that each school has its own set of rules which are in addition to the rules that are set by each school district. As a result, funding is constraining, inconsistent and limited.
DonorNation: What are the biggest challenges your school faces with respect to fundraising?
Maria: We typically sell food items at sporting events. However, our options are sweets, or junk food. These types of items are not healthy for our students, nor do they set a healthy example. We also find that it can sometimes be difficult to reach our fundraising goals since many of our clubs are selling the same exact options at the same events. Therefore, our clubs are left competing with one another.
DonorNation: Why do want your school to have a DonorNation marketplace?
Maria: It would be great to have a marketplace on DonorNation for our high school! The marketplace offers a range of items that can be used for fundraising—these options surpass our limited access. Furthermore, our school would benefit from having the opportunity to generate funds consistently and more often. Currently, we rely on one, or two events every couple of months. With DonorNation anyone can jump online, shop a selection of products and make a donation to us!
DonorNation: How do you feel DonorNation will help your high school save its arts programs?
Maria: DonorNation would definitely help the Theatrical Arts program stay alive! First the marketplace would help create awareness in our community. Through the platform, members would have the opportunity to make purchases and direct their donations directly to our program. Theatre is a subject that is always changing and always growing—by being able to have the public take an active interest in what we do, they too can be a part of something that is incredibly rewarding and enriching.
DonorNation: Thank you Gil and Maria for taking the time to speak with us.
Visit the Charitable Organic Sweet storefront.
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