Our commitment to accessibility means offering multiple ways to contribute—through bartering, fundraising, or financial aid—so all families can find a path that works.
Financial Aid & Other Ways To Pay Your Dues
Please don’t let the cost turn you away. We mean it when we say that accessibility is important to us. We work hard in our determination to be an affordable option for families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Our program is funded through grants, donations, and family dues.
We have ways for families to pay their dues by bartering, fundraising, &/or receiving financial aid. We invite you to consider each of the options below thoughtfully, appreciate the full benefits of Covey, and work to understand the behind-the-scenes labor that merits fair compensation. Then, please send us an email letting us know what combination of bartering, fundraising, and/or financial aid feels right for you.
Bartering
You can barter a portion of your dues by offering these services if we are currently in need and you have the necessary expertise:
- Serving as a fellow facilitator on Mondays (and attending facilitator circle meetings)
- Grant-writing & editing
- Accounting & tax help
Fundraising
100% of your funds raised through these efforts can go toward your dues:
- Families who are signed up for our Raise Right tool don’t have to pay their dues in advance. Instead, they receive an invoice at the end of the month that takes into account how much they have raised that month via Raise Right. It’s an easy way to earn through purchases you already make every day!
- Each fall, you can volunteer on our behalf at the Balloon Fiesta through the Kiwanis organization. 100% of your hourly pay from selling or scanning tickets goes toward your dues. Teens aged 14 and above in your family can also participate.
Financial Aid
We expect that about half to two-thirds of our families will receive some level of financial aid. These funds are meant to support families who truly need help and who deeply connect with our mission. Covey is rooted in child-led learning, so our financial aid is reserved for families who value that approach. If you’re mainly seeking child care or prefer a more adult-directed program, we may not be the right fit.
If this community is indeed a great fit for you, and the cost continues to be a barrier after you have considered your capacity for bartering and fundraising, we encourage you to ask us for financial aid! We understand it is difficult in our culture to ask for this kind of help. We provide these resources to help you consider how much financial assistance to request:
The Green Bottle Framework
A capitalist system determines our financial access and value by race, perceived gender identity, disability/ability, immigration status, and/or primary language, among many other systems of imposed hierarchy. There is no exact formula that determines what each of us can afford, because income is not the only deciding factor. For example, your relationship with money might also be affected by being a caregiver, your access to generational wealth, and/or the costs associated with a disability.
How do I choose what to pay?
The Green Bottle chart below expands our understanding of financial privilege and experience. Please use it to determine the level you’re able to invest.
Important Things to Consider
Truthfulness: The sliding scale model relies on truthfulness. We trust that you know your circumstances better than anyone, and you do not need to prove anything to us.
Complexity: This model respects complexity. You may fit statements in each of the categories. This is simply a guide for your reflection.
Sacrifice vs. Hardship: If paying for a service would be difficult, but not have a long-term negative impact, it may be a sacrifice for something you value. You may need to eat out less or participate in fewer leisure activities, such as attending concerts or traveling. If paying for a service would have a harmful impact, such as being unable to pay your rent or buy groceries, this would be considered a hardship. Financial aid is particularly for those who experience hardship.
If it’s still too hard to decide
Money is stressful! If you’re unsure about how much aid to request, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we can discuss it together. Thank you for taking the time to reflect on your financial situation and this equity model.
Credit and gratitude to the following sources (where you can also learn more!):
Alexis J Cunningfolk @ wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale for the green bottle framework
Brandi Solanki @ brandisolanki.com for some of the additional language here about how to use the green bottle framework