The Bad Idea Desk

Small Grants · Poor Judgment

We give money to ideas that should not exist.

Twenty-five to fifty dollars. Real money, sent to strangers, for objects the world did not ask for.

Send an idea Fund a grant
Dale
Acting Deputy Director

How this works

  1. You send us an idea for something useless. Eighty words, takes a minute.
  2. If it is useless enough, we send you $25 to $50. No strings. It is a gift.
  3. Tips from strangers are what pay for it. That is the whole operation.

What gets funded

File 011
A footstool built to exactly the same height as the floor it stands on.
Approved · $40
File 010
A label maker whose only output is the word LABEL.
Approved · $25
File 020
A chair fitted with two armrests, both on the same side.
Approved · $35
File 004
A recurring calendar reminder that repeats one time.
Approved · $25

File copies. The Desk has not yet received outside applications, so these are its own work. Yours would be the first from a member of the public.

Fund the Desk

The Desk has no budget, no staff, and no income. Grants come out of tips and nothing else. When the fund is empty, nothing gets funded.

Grant fund, current balance $0.00
Required for the next award $25.00
Grants issued to date 0

The fund is empty. This has been noted and filed.

$3A piece of a grant $7A quarter of a grant $15Over half a grant $40One entire grant, start to finish
Tip jar coming online

Write to desk@badideadesk.com with the word JAR and the Desk will tell you when it opens. One message. The Desk does not operate a mailing list.

A tip is a gift. It buys nothing, enters you in nothing, and improves no one's odds. Tipping and applying are separate systems and they do not touch. The Desk does not offer refunds on gifts, because a gift is not a purchase, but if you sent one by mistake write to us and we will sort it out.

Send an idea

Eighty words. One idea. No attachments.

Can be a handle. It appears if the idea is featured.

Used to tell you yes. Nothing else.

0 / 80 words

Eighty words. The Desk stops reading at eighty words.

0 / 40 words

Do not attach Form 12-A. Form 12-A is not a form.

Rules

What gets funded Ideas that are useless, harmless, and specific. The Desk likes an object it can picture.
Too useful is a rejection If the Desk can imagine someone being glad they own it, the application fails. This is the most common reason for denial and it is not a compliment.
What does not get funded Anything dangerous, illegal, medical, or financial advice. Anything aimed at a real person, company, or place. Anything involving anyone under eighteen. Anything cruel.
The Desk does not do drawings There is no raffle, ticket, entry, prize, or sweepstakes. Tipping does not enter you into anything and does not improve your odds.
The Desk does not take equity No share, no royalty, no profit split, no claim on anything you make later. You keep your idea. The Desk keeps the letter.
Decisions are final Dale abstained.

Contact

desk@badideadesk.com

That is the only address. There is no phone. There is a phone, but it is not connected to anything.