The Foundry: Fund, Launch & Grow Your Purpose-Driven NGO
How it Works
1. Sign Up for the DIYaspora
Once you sign up, you’ll gain access to the course and workbook that will guide you through the process of developing your organization. You’ll begin defining your mission, vision, and brand strategy.
2. Complete the Course & Workbook
The course walks you through the foundational steps of building a brand with purpose, while the workbook helps you clarify your mission and vision, ensuring you have a solid foundation.
3. Apply for the Digital Incubator
After completing the course and workbook, submit your application for the incubator program. Once accepted, I’ll help you set up your landing page and prepare for fundraising if you decide to opt-in.
4. Get Listed in the Directory
Once you’re in, you’ll create a listing on the platform, sharing your story and goals with a broader audience. This is how donors and supporters will find you (you may also opt to simply get listed in the directory if you don’t need any brand positioning help).
5. Validate Your Idea with Real Conversions
With your website and donation campaign set up, it’s time to start raising funds. Use this process to validate if people believe in your mission or continue bootstrapping the project.
6. Next Steps
If you’re gaining strong support, use your funds to grow and consider upgrading to the DWY or DFY plans for premium tools and resources.
If you’re still building momentum, refine your approach and continue bootstrapping at your own pace—all while staying listed in the directory and engaging with the community.
Pricing
DIY
do it yourself- You have the time and drive to build your brand yourself. I provide you with the tools—structured courses, a guided workbook, and a sandbox environment—so you can shape your vision at your own pace without upfront costs to test, validate, and refine your brand's purpose.
DWY
done with you- Whether you’re eager to learn or delegating to someone on your team, this plan gives you a custom domain, additional premium courses, and enhanced site features to level up your presence—plus more direct support when you need it.
DFY
done for you- You want results without getting lost in the details, so I can handle the branding, design, and marketing execution for you. You focus on your mission—I take care of making sure the world sees it.
Features Designed to Grow with You
✅ Directory Listing
Be discovered by donors, volunteers, and like-minded changemakers in my curated directory of mission-driven organizations. Improve visibility and credibility by showcasing your impact.
Your directory listing connects you to donors, volunteers, and partners.
✅ Free Foundations Course
Access a foundational course in social entrepreneurship and nonprofit branding to help shape your mission, refine your message, and build a strong online presence.
✅ Incubator Eligibility
Complete the course and apply to my incubator program, where you’ll receive guidance on fundraising, audience-building, and launching your initiative effectively. The main criteria is an emphasis on the social & environmental challenges you want to address with your brand.
✅ Landing Page
Get a professionally designed landing page to promote your idea, attract supporters, and raise funds; get promoted within the SaidMartinezCalderon.com SEO-enriched ecosystem so your idea doesn’t start from scratch with Google.
✅ Check-ins
Receive ongoing support to assess your fundraising progress, ensure alignment with your mission, and gain insights on how to grow more effectively.
✅ Discord Community
Join a community of social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers where you can exchange ideas, collaborate, and find support for your cause.
✅ Premium Courses
Unlock exclusive step-by-step training in web design, newsletter design, social media marketing, eCommerce print-on-demand, lead magnet creation, and persuasive content writing to grow your brand and maximize your reach. These revenue-generating tactics can be your flagship strategy to offest overreliance on donors & government grants.
✅ New or Transfer Domain
Claim your own custom domain or transfer an existing one to build a professional and trustworthy online presence for your project.
✅ Unlimited Graphic & Web Design Tasks
Let me handle your branding, website visuals, social media graphics, and marketing materials so you can focus on your mission instead of design work.
✅ Actionable Reports
Get data-driven insights and custom SEO reports to improve your website ranking, attract more supporters, and increase your online visibility.
✅ Support Options
Whether you want to contribute and learn from the community, ask for help on technical issues, or get personalized guidance and strategic direction, I’m here to support you.
Scale Faster with Premium Support
| Feature | DIY Plan | DWY Plan | DFY Plan |
|
Directory Listing |
✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free Course | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Incubator Eligibility | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Landing Page | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Accept Donations | ✅ 12% Platform Fee | ✅ 8% Platform Fee | ✅4% Platform Fee |
| Quarterly Check-in | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Discord Community | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Premium Courses | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Custom Domain | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Reports | ✅ View Only | ✅ Actionable Task List | |
| Web Design Tasks | ✅ Setup Only | ✅ Unlimited Tasks | |
| Graphic Design Tasks | ✅ Unlimited Tasks | ||
| Support | Community | + Video & Phone |
The Branding Challenge
- Tight budgets: Branding can be expensive.
- Limited time: You’re busy doing what you do best.
- Reaching your audience: It’s hard to cut through the noise.
- Feeling overwhelmed: Where do you even start?
- The Solution: Branding That Works for You
I offer tiered pricing, starting with a completely free option. Whether you’re just starting out or ready for a full brand overhaul, I got you.
What You Get (Even on the Free Plan!):
- Foundational brand strategy insights
- Learn the core principles of effective branding.
- Website builder & hosting: Get your online presence up and running.
- Supportive community: Connect with others on the same journey.
As You Grow
Unlock more advanced features, personalized support, and expert guidance as your needs evolve. From DIY resources to done-for-you services, I can help you:
- Craft a compelling brand story: Connect with your audience on an emotional level.
- Develop a clear brand voice: Stand out from the competition.
- Create impactful marketing materials. Get your message out there.
- Build a thriving online presence: Attract new customers and supporters.
Who I Work With
I hang up on FeDeRaL dEfEnSe government contracts to focus on:
- Independent Restaurateurs
- Green Construction & Renewable Energy Independent Companies
- Education & Workforce Development Organizations
- Trade Schools & Vocational Training Centers
- ESL Organizations
- Eco-Friendly & Sustainability Businesses
- Social Enterprises & Cooperatives
- Fair Trade Organizations
- Health & Social Work Organizations
- Art & Culture Organizations
- Agriculture & Food Justice Initiatives
- Labor Advocacy Groups (except police unions, ACAB)
- Community Development Organizations
Pricing FAQs
What if I'm just starting out?
No problem! The Free tier is designed specifically for you. It’s the perfect way to get acquainted with my teaching style and explore foundational brand strategy concepts. You’ll receive interactive worksheets to help you define your core purpose and validate your proof of concept. It’s everything you need to take that crucial first step.
Why should I Level Up to the DIY Plan?
The DIY Plan combines branding fundamentals with the tools you need to launch a professional website. It’s ideal for solopreneurs ready to create a polished online presence without the expense of hiring a full team. The plan includes website hosting and access to premium plugins—a value of over $700/year—making it a smart investment in your business.
What's included in the DIY Plan's website hosting package?
The DIY Plan includes managed WordPress hosting on my servers. You’ll receive a pre-designed, customizable Divi template, access to premium plugins, and a step-by-step setup guide. It gives you the flexibility and power of WordPress, which you own, unlike renting a site with platforms like Squarespace. This makes it a valuable and long-term asset for your business.
Is the DWY Plan only for startups?
Not at all. While it’s a great fit for startups, the DWY Plan is also perfect for small teams and agencies seeking a structured, collaborative approach to branding. It’s designed for those who have some technical knowledge, such as familiarity with Figma for creating wireframes and journey maps.
Who is the DFY Plan for?
The DFY Plan is designed for companies undergoing significant transitions, such as new leadership, acquisitions, or major rebrands. This isn’t just a course; it’s a strategic partnership. I’ll work with you to assess your brand’s current equity, develop a comprehensive roadmap, and provide expert consultation to prioritize implementation. It’s like having a fractional senior marketing, design, & development strategist on retainer without the Chief Marketing or Design Officer salary.
What if I don't like the courses?
No worries! The Free tier is, well, free, so there’s no risk in trying them out. Plus, even with the paid plans, you get the added benefit of website hosting and access to premium plugins—a significant value on their own.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel anytime. However, please note that canceling will also disable hosting on my servers and access to the premium plugins included in your plan. I recommend initiating your website migration to another host before canceling to minimize any downtime. I’ll provide migration instructions to ensure a smooth transition, but you have to give me enough notice because a lot of these database changes, transfers, and migrations are out of my hands and up to the hosting service providers.
Do you offer refunds?
I want you to be completely satisfied. Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Free tier allows you to experience my approach and content risk-free, so you can choose a paid plan with confidence.
How are these courses useful for other brand strategists?
These courses are designed to benefit both aspiring and experienced brand strategists. They offer practical tools and techniques to refine your approach and, crucially, learn how to effectively communicate your value and attract clients. I believe in collaboration over competition, and these courses are a way to share my knowledge and help build a stronger community of purpose-driven brand strategists. It’s not just about what to do, but how to do it and how to position yourself for success. Think of it as leveling up your skills and joining a network of like-minded professionals.
Proactive Website Maintenance & Security
Protecting your website from malicious attacks and spam is crucial. With me hosting your site, you benefit from the same premium WordPress plugin licenses that I use for my own brands. This ensures top-tier security and functionality at no extra cost.
I’ll also proactively maintain your integrations, preventing lost leads, onboarding hiccups, and inventory discrepancies.
Unlimited Design Tasks
Imagine the cost and effort of finding, hiring, and onboarding another designer who truly understands your brand. With this plan, you get senior-level design expertise without the agency markup. This means seamless continuity and high-quality work, whether it’s:
- B2B/C: Engaging training course collateral for your clients.
- E-commerce: Eye-catching pattern designs for your print-on-demand store.
- SaaS: Compelling pitch decks for new features or insightful UI audits.
Consistent SEO Optimization
SEO is the foundation of online visibility, not a fleeting trend. Even when your design needs are minimal, I’ll be working behind the scenes to improve your SEO.
Based on your objectives, I’ll continuously monitor your keywords, publish weekly blog posts, and conduct regular on-page SEO audits. This ensures your website is always optimized for search engines, driving consistent traffic and growth. SEO isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a must-have for sustained online success.
Why?
The Foundry isn’t just a directory—it’s a digital & social incubator for impact-driven founders with big ideas and limited resources.
Here’s what you get when you join:
- ✅ Free Course: Build your brand & strategy with our guided workbook
- ✅ Incubator Entry: Submit your idea & get a one-page site to showcase your mission
- ✅ Funding Support: Accept donations & gain visibility through my platform
- ✅ Growth Resources: Upgrade to access branding, mentorship, & premium tools
Click below to enroll.