In This Issue
Communities to Watch
Venture Philanthropy
Our Model
Conference/Event Calendar
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Communities

to Watch

We support the efforts of other housing and employment innovators across the U.S.  In this space we will provide links to profiles on our website of communities we think represent the types of new models needed to meet the growing demand for adults with Autism.
This month, please check out:

(Minnesota, Montana)
(Sonoma, CA)
February 2012 Newsletter
Greetings!

Welcome to e-newsletter #2 from LTO Ventures. To the left you will see icons for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  We invite you to "like" us, "follow" us, or just visit us on those social media channels.

We are raising funds to advance our mission. The yellow "Donate" button will take you to the Donate page on our website where you can make a contribution via credit card.  Every $20, $50, $100 or more is very important.

At the bottom is a link to forward this email to a friend if you think others might be interested in our mission.  If there is anything you would like to share with me directly, email me at molson@ltoventures.org.
 
Venture Philanthropy in Housing for Adults with Autism

A good friend, Scott, and I were talking the other day about fundraising for our respective ventures and he posed a very interesting question - "If someone wanted to donate a million dollars to LTO Ventures, what would you accomplish with that money?"

 

His question was particularly timely for me because I've been doing a lot of thinking about, and research into, the financial model that will differentiate LTO Ventures from most other residential settings for adults with autism. Our financial model will be the backbone of the business model for our live/work/play campus communities. Unlike Scott's business, LTO Ventures has very few examples of comparative models.

 

Two related funding concepts that bridge Scott's world with mine, and that I think will be critical to LTO Ventures' success, are Venture Philanthropy and Philanthropic Equity.

 

Read the complete article here.

The LTO Ventures Community Model

We recently published a significantly expanded description of the LTO Ventures community model.  It now includes more information about:

  • Our Motivation ("Reality vs. Utopia")
  • Market Opportunity
  • Medicaid Safety Net Failing
  • Target Market
  • Our Vision
  • Olmstead Compatability
  • Locations
The complete description can be read under "Our Model".
Conference/Event Calendar - March 2012
  • FRED Conference (Farms & Ranches Enable People with Disabilities); March 3; Manhattan Beach, CA [INFO]
  • Autism Works Employment Conference; March 6-7; St. Louis, MO [INFO]
Please visit the Calendar section of our website for a complete listing of upcoming conferences and events. 
How You Can Help
We are an early-stage company with an innovative model in a rapidly-growing market.  We are always looking for people, money and ideas in the areas below.  Call or email me if you think you can and want to help, or you have someone you want to refer/recommend.
  • Funding - We are presently raising a $50,000 "Groundwork" round.  Every $20, $50, $100 or more moves us that much closer to our goal of making this vision a reality.
  • Board Members - We are looking for candidates located anywhere in the US who buy into and are excited about the chance to make our community model a reality.
  • Advisory Board Members - We are looking for professionals in finance, tax credits, legal, planned community development, and fundraising to be part of a structured advisory board.
  • Subject Matter Experts - We always want to hear from people who have extensive knowledge and experience in all areas related to residential development, and employment of adults with autism.
  • Adults with Autism and/or their Families - Our best source of input and ideas comes from the persons and families who live every day with autism.  You are the people for whom we are creating our communities.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mark L. Olson, President & CEO
LTO Ventures
Contact: Mark L. Olson, President & CEO; 702 353 6540; molson@ltoventures.org