nonprofits that just raise funds
At the Ideation Conference this week, one of my aha moments was realizing a new breed of non-profit organizations that primarily serve the role of fundraising and raising awareness. I was touched by the collaborative spirit of the humanitarians at #theideation, and how each org finds the role they play best, and partner with others for the rest, to tackle the biggest problems in the world together. Here’s 3 of them that presented both the compelling need and provided easy entry points for how anyone can help::
One Day’s Wages uses the best of social media to cultivate a grassroots movement towards ending extreme global poverty, currently raising funds to support the excellent work of 6 partner organizations. Founded by voracious blogger Eugene Cho (a church pastor), One Day’s Wages was notable for launching with a million members on its Facebook fan page. I thought I heard Eugene say that One Day’s Wages‘ big hairy audacious goal was to raise $1 million, but that might have been a figment of my imagination. Here’s a visual graphically-drawn capture of his talk:
Black Card Circle Foundation had its founder Lotay Yang (an investment banker) describe its nonprofit as being 100% volunteer run. That’ll keep overhead down. Black Card raises funds for non-profits working in 5 areas: education, environment, health care, community development, and poverty relief. From what I gather, Black Card raises awareness & funds with socialites and influentials through nice events while One Day’s Wages raises awareness & funds from the grassroots.
And then there’s Charity:Water, founded by former nightclub promoter Scott Harrison. Notes from Eric Bryant: “Scott Harrison and Charity Water seeks to bring clean water to the 1 billion people who do not have it by using 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.” Charity:Water supports 17 partner organizations on the ground.
Aside: found a way to find all the links mentioned via twitter hashtag #theideation
DJ: thanks for the recap. my goal is to raise $100 million over the next 25 years via ODW – http://onedayswages.org
Our goal is to raise 1 million by the end of 2010 but it’ll likely be a stretch. But we’ll see.
Fantastic! Humbled. Thankful. What an amazing generation to be alive.
When I was 12 I had a dream to end slavery. Knowing I couldn’t possibly bring real relief and rescue I knew that I could raise money for those who could, and especially for the small organizatins quietly doing work in the hidden corners of the world who didn’t have access to funds. I think we undervalue the idea of fundraising and using our voice. It isn’t less honorable than actually doing the work – it is necessary. There is definitely a place for rolling up your sleeves and diving into the practical work and there’s certainly enough work to do. But, I think there’s so much more money available for doing good if creative minds work together to inspire people, gather assets and get them out to those doing great and admirable work. Kids around the world have been using Loose Change to Loosen Chains to help 5-6 orgs and have done it through pocket change that many just vacuum up and throw away. And, just as important, they have been empowered to be a voice and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, to defend the rights of the poor and needy, to speak up and judge fairly. (a message from the ancient poet in Proverbs)
Really appreciate all of you who have allowed a kid like me a place at the table. Excited to see how we can all work together.
@Eugene, thanks for confirming what those big goals were.
@Zach, thanks for your amazing story and faith with Loose Change to Loosen Chains! Very inspiring to see great things stirring in the next generation!