[heading icon=”” type=”standard” size=”h2″ extra=””]Frequently Asked Questions: General[/heading]
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ0″ class=”active”]How did The Jonas Project (TJP) get started?[/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ0″ in=”in”]TJP is established as a non-profit 501 (c)(3). It original founders John B. Kelsall and Teri Kelsall, the proud parents of Lt. Commander Jonas Kelsall, who was killed in action on August 6, 2011 in Afghanistan.
It was the worst single disaster when 30 men and 1 service dog were shot down during a mission. Thirty-one lives were lost, 17 Navy SEALS of which Jonas was one, 13 support military personnel, and 1 service dog.
Jonas always wanted to give back to the men and women in his life that meant so much to him as he served. He had the greatest respect for their service and sacrifice.
Since Jonas is unable to fulfill his future dreams of giving back, his parents decided to do it for him.
TJP’s focus is to assist in the start-up of new, qualified, honorably discharged U.S. Veteran owned businesses. TJP recognizes the vulnerability of new businesses for the first 2-5 years of its lifespan. TJP will continue to closely nurture that relationship for approximately the first two years of each new business established, and continually thereafter on a looser schedule as the business matures and thrives.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ1″ class=””]What is TJP’s mission?[/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ1″ in=””]“Create Jobs by Growing Veteran Owned Business Opportunities through Collaboration, not Duplication.”[/accbody]
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ2″ class=””]What is TJP’s vision?[/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ2″ in=””]Providing professional mentoring, general support, and when possible, financial assistance to eligible U.S. Veterans with a desire to become entrepreneurs. These Veterans, in turn, hire fellow Veterans as employees and ultimately contribute back to the project, ensuring the sustainability and continued growth of The Jonas Project for the benefit of future Veterans.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ3″ class=””]Has TJP established core values?[/acchead]
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“Never forgetting the service and sacrifice of our military men and women, and giving back to them the respect, honor, and dignity they deserve as they transition to civilian life.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ4″ class=””]How many Veteran Owned Businesses does TJP hope to establish?[/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ4″ in=””]Of course everything depends on the availability of money, but TJP’s goal for 2015 is to raise $250,000 dollars and help to establish 6-11 VOB’s, depending on each VOB’s monetary need. Currently, we are working with 18 VOB’s.[/accbody]
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ5″ class=””]How is TJP raising money?[/acchead]
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TJP received its tax-exempt status from the IRS, and now it is using a number of different resources to raise funds for its mission.
TJP is looking for various sponsors through private donations, foundations, business sponsorships and grants.
All monetary donations can be made directly on our website: TheJonasProject.org
TJP also understands the importance of sustainability. TJP is developing a clothing line to sell via the Internet that will help to fill in any monetary gaps. At present there are two designs available for purchase.
TJP is also looking at other various forms of funding for each VOB: the Small Business Administration with their micro-loan program and their Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative, Peer-to-Peer funding, Crowd Funding, Angel Investors, Asset-Backed Lending, or the ever popular Bootstrapping.
TJP is very active in all funding venues, after all, “No Money, No Mission.”
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ6″ class=””]How many paid employees does TJP hope to hire?[/acchead]
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As of January 2015, TJP has 2 paid employees, both are Veterans; all other work is being done is voluntary.
In the future, when TJP has available funds, 2 additional paid positions have been identified as necessary: CEO and Controller.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ7″ class=””]How much of each dollar will actually be spent on the Veterans and their businesses?[/acchead]
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Presently TJP plans to spend 86% of its’ proceeds on the Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB) that it is working with.
As TJP grows, it expects that .92 cents of every dollar will go directly to the VOB’s. It will become necessary at some point to cover our expenses and hire essential staff.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ8″ class=””]Does TJP have certain qualifications that a Veteran must meet in order to receive services?[/acchead]
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TJP has a set of parameters that each interested Veteran must meet. Please refer to the Q & A under Veterans for those details.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ9″ class=””]Does TJP have certain qualifications that a Mentor must meet in order to receive services?[/acchead]
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TJP has a set of parameters that each interested Mentor must meet. Please refer to the Q & A under Mentor for those details.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ10″ class=””] Is TJP just limited to a geographic area in California where it will be providing services? [/acchead]
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Our world is very small and becoming more virtual everyday. TJP is limiting itself to the continental U.S., but is readying itself with the availability of conference calling and using its partners throughout the U.S. with other military organizations and business connections to carry out its mission.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ11″ class=””] Does TJP have a Board of Directors? [/acchead]
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The Board consists of 4 retired military personnel, 1 active military, and John and Teri Kelsall.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ12″ class=””] Does TJP have a Board of Advisors? [/acchead]
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TJP has a current Board of Advisors, and is attempting to find more business professionals who have the interest and knowledge to take TJP forward.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ13″ class=””] Are TJP’s services free to the Veteran? [/acchead]
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This answer can be found under Q & A for Veterans.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ14″ class=””]Do the Mentors get paid?[/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ14″ in=””] The Mentors are strictly volunteers. [/accbody]
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ15″ class=””] Is TJP incorporated? [/acchead]
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Yes, TJP is incorporated under the laws of the state of California. We received our 501(c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt, non-profit approval from the IRS on 12/31/12.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ16″ class=””] When will you be up and operational? [/acchead]
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TJP is operational. Our main focus right now is to provide strong mentors for our VOB’s. So far we have recruited 21 business professionals as our mentors from around this great country of ours.
TJP continually recruits for Mentors via our website, and our Facebook page.
TJP is still finalizing some clothing items, some of which are already for sale in our on-line store.
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[acchead id=”FAQ” tab_id=”FAQ17″ class=””] How can I get involved? [/acchead]
[accbody tab_id=”FAQ17″ in=””]There are so many ways to get involved:
- Like us on Facebook - Facebook.com/TheJonasProject.
- Become a Mentor if you feel qualified.
- If you own a business, consider having a Veteran as a paid Intern for 3-6 months. This will help the Veteran see if they are really passionate about their chosen field of interest.
- If we have a Veteran in your geographic area, consider becoming our liaison for the VOB and adopt them.
- Most of all, you can become a sponsor, an angel investor w/o taking an investment interest in the VOB. Each VOB will be spotlighted and an investor can pick which company they would like to help grow.
- You can make a general, unrestricted contribution or a restricted contribution to TJP.
- Just spread the word.[/accbody]
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