FW: Vietnam

Dear Friends,

Last week, I sent you a note announcing that Taiwan's Foreign Ministry had renewed its $200,000 grant to continue funding our "Mushrooms with a Mission" program in Vietnam. HDI now has an interesting new opportunity to raise a substantial amount of additional funding for the program. This morning I received a phone call from the State Department telling me that it will also continue funding our Mushroom Program with a $150,000-$200,000 grant for the coming year. With this in mind, I would like to approach either a corporate foundation, family foundation or an individual with an offer to establish a special partnership with the State Department on this project in return for a 2-for-1 matching program. Such a partnership would mean lots of very positive attention, recognition from Secretary Clinton, and some sort of event celebrating this relationship. The State Department loves this kind of buy-in for projects it is funding. If we were to find a third-party funding source who would give us $2 for every $1 we bring from the State Departments that would mean somewhere in the neighborhood of $400k-$600k for the program. And that would bring us very close to reaching the full potential of our program in Vietnam. I am hoping that you can help me identify potential corporate foundations or individuals that might be interested in entering this kind of partnership with the State Department. Because of the nature of the program, we think a food-related organization might be a good target, but clearly we would welcome any interested parties. We will approach the Wal-Mart Foundation for sure since we know people there, but remain totally open to any suggestions or ideas you may have. Time is a little short, but this is the nature of the beast We have about three weeks before I have to send a concept paper over to the State Department. For your reference, I have attached a recent update on the program. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks.

Ralph

Do you know anyone interested in currying favors with the State Department? (see below and the attached).