Himanish Goel
InnovatEDFund
What IF?
Imagine. Believe. Invest.
A future focused fund for students.
Role = UX Strategist, UI/UX Designer, and Product Designer
Tools = Figma and Photoshop
Project Type = Group Project. Team Members:
- Aggie Prakash - Strategist = https://aggieprakash.xyz/home/
- Claire Snyder - Experience Designer = https://www.claire-snyder.com
- Taryn Spencer - Strategist = https://tarynspencer.squarespace.com
- Himanish Goel
OVERVIEW
Richmond Ed Fund is a local nonprofit for public education. They help students in Richmond Public Schools get the support they need, in order to learn, grow, and dream big. By funding new programs, teacher training, and community partnerships, they give students more chances to succeed.
Their goal is to close the gap between what students have and what they could have so that every child can feel seen, supported, and ready for the future ahead.
BACKGROUND
Richmond Ed Fund, was once tied closely to the public school system, but wanted to be something more.
Instead of just being seen as another school partner, they dreamed of becoming a venture fund for students futures.
A bold step toward funding big ideas, student dreams, and real impact in the world.
They needed a brand, a message, and an experience that would help shift how people viewed them, and what they could possibly do for their students.
A bold step toward funding big ideas, student dreams, and real impact in the world.
They needed a brand, a message, and an experience that would help shift how people viewed them, and what they could possibly do for their students.
TENSION
People often judge schools by their past, and not by the potential of their students.
Because of this mindset, many Richmond students were overlooked. Especially those from under resourced communities.
The real issue is not a lack of talent, but a lack of belief and investment in what these students could become.
This is what we created, that's called the Imagination Gap.
The real issue is not a lack of talent, but a lack of belief and investment in what these students could become.
This is what we created, that's called the Imagination Gap.
INSIGHT
When students aren’t seen for who they could become, they stop imagining who they could potentially be.
This emotional and cultural gap leads to a cycle of limited belief, under investment, and missed opportunities, especially for the underserved youth.
This emotional and cultural gap leads to a cycle of limited belief, under investment, and missed opportunities, especially for the underserved youth.
STRATEGY
From Gaps to Growth. The idea was to transform InnovatEDFund from a school affiliated initiative to an independent venture fund, that:
- Celebrates student imagination
- Prioritizes future milestones, and not just past stats
- Builds belief and support across the donors, families, and school
STRAT LINE
Think Forward. Fund Forward.
TAGLINE
What IF?
BUSINESS IMPACT
Repositioning the Richmond Ed Fund as a venture fund will help unlock new initiatives for students and increase potential funding from trusted partners. The rebrand will lead to a fundraising surge, from $1 million a year to $3.4 million in just 4 months, with a projected $5 million by mid 2025.
This growth won't just be financial, but a shift in how education is supported. The new strategy will help to attract donors, spotlight future focused investments, and drive real outcomes like a 19% increase in graduation rates for multilingual students.
This growth won't just be financial, but a shift in how education is supported. The new strategy will help to attract donors, spotlight future focused investments, and drive real outcomes like a 19% increase in graduation rates for multilingual students.
With a rebrand and digital tools, Richmond Ed Fund will be ready to scale, and prove that investment in imagination is a profitable tool for student success.
- Instantly send and receive money—across banks, borders, and apps
- Cut out hidden fees and confusing conversions
- Connect their home bank accounts to their lives abroad
- Pay, split, and share money the same way they would back home
UPI
Product Outcome = InnovatEDFund - What IF?
Big Idea- UPI Style Ecosystem
Process & Reflection
PROCESS
Working on the InnovatEDFund project made me think deeply about what stops students from dreaming big and how design could help change the course. As the experience designer on our team, I was involved in helping shape the brand story, designing the website and mobile app, as well as helping build a platform that inspires people to believe in their student's futures.
The project went through several rounds of iteration with feedback and changes, from early sketching ideas to the user experience being clear and understandable for Richmond Ed Fund to implement. It wasn’t about something that just looked good, but something that felt right for the students, donors, and the Richmond community. This entire process helped teach me how to combine both the heart and strategy through design.
Working on the InnovatEDFund project made me think deeply about what stops students from dreaming big and how design could help change the course. As the experience designer on our team, I was involved in helping shape the brand story, designing the website and mobile app, as well as helping build a platform that inspires people to believe in their student's futures.
The project went through several rounds of iteration with feedback and changes, from early sketching ideas to the user experience being clear and understandable for Richmond Ed Fund to implement. It wasn’t about something that just looked good, but something that felt right for the students, donors, and the Richmond community. This entire process helped teach me how to combine both the heart and strategy through design.
REFLECTION
A project that made me reflect with a question: What if? Not just for students but for myself. What if we stopped seeing the limits and just started imagining the possibilities around us? What if a design could help spark a belief within someone who's been told they can never make it?
In this entire process, I learned how to use imagination as a tool for navigating life. Whether through design, writing, storytelling, or even strategy, we all have the power to build something from nothing...by taking a small idea and turning it into something that moves people. This project helped remind me to continue asking the what ifs not when working but in our everyday occurrences of living.
A project that made me reflect with a question: What if? Not just for students but for myself. What if we stopped seeing the limits and just started imagining the possibilities around us? What if a design could help spark a belief within someone who's been told they can never make it?
In this entire process, I learned how to use imagination as a tool for navigating life. Whether through design, writing, storytelling, or even strategy, we all have the power to build something from nothing...by taking a small idea and turning it into something that moves people. This project helped remind me to continue asking the what ifs not when working but in our everyday occurrences of living.