“The project won’t be donating grants to these organizations itself; rather, this is more a call to arms for the millions of Internet users who have the willingness and ability to help affect social change and good.”
“[B]rowse the full list of organizations Craigconnects supports; so far, endorsed entities include non-profits such as Wikipedia, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Kiva, Charity: Water and many more. Currently, the site features DonorsChoose.org, a non-profit that links would-be donors with classrooms in need of a little extra financial help.”
Charitable giving has changed a lot in the past few years and the social web has been a big factor in that change. Where we once put coins in a collection box, there are now a plethora of ways you can help make a difference online.
One area of real growth is transaction-based giving, such as the “one for one” model, in which a consumer buys a product and someone less fortunate receives the same product for free. It’s been pioneered successfully by companies like TOMS Shoes and the OLPC organization, and has inspired many similar projects.
We’ve highlighted 10 great online “buy one give one” projects, but there are plenty more out there. Let us know about any we might have missed in the comments below and the next time you need a new pair of shoes, a flashlight or even a pair of glasses, why not consider buying one and giving one to someone less fortunate than yourself. - mashable
also, a word about people…
People doing the right thing inspire me. And they’re everywhere, doing things both big and small, that impact as few as one person’s life.
This week, the 33 Chilean miners were rescued. There are countless stories of inspiration here — from the trapped miners banding together to keep everyone safe, to the engineers and rescue workers who worked tirelessly to make sure everyone came back safe. I’m inspired by the pride of the nation, the gratitude of the miners, and the humility of all those involved knowing that it wasn’t about them – what little piece they were involved in – but it was about coming together for a common cause. The story that was once saturated with fear and devastation grew to one of hope and inspiration. It is a victorious example of how working together to get the job done can save lives.
Score {one} for humanity.
background + inspiration
Confession: I wait until the last minute to buy Christmas gifts. I generally start thinking about gifts for friends/family on the 20th or 21st when the malls are swarming with people who aren’t ripe with holiday cheer. Since I’m big into the sentiments anyway, I don’t have a problem settling for something less-than-stellar, or opting for something homemade. Hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Last year, while in the midst of enjoying everything that goes with the holidays, but well before my annual rush to buy gifts tradition, a good friend had a “let’s bake holiday cookies for our neighbors” party. At her parents’ house, with her sisters, friends, family and more cookies than I’ve ever seen - or care to ever again - we slaved for hours baking, decorating, and packaging cookies to take around later that evening meeting and greeting neighbors. We certainly had a tremendous time baking (sipping cocoa, singing carols by the piano, laughing, eating, photographing, dining, a little dancing/debautchery) and enjoying one another’s company. At the end of the day, I took home a bag of cookies for me - and about 10 bags of cookies for my neighbors. It got me thinking.
We live in a “me, me, me” society. It’s not premeditated or deliberate, really, it’s ingrained in our culture. I go to the store and I buy what I need. I do good work and advocate on my own for a promotion at work. As a single woman, no one can/will do these things for me. It’s during the holidays that we often stop and do things for others. We buy gifts for others, bake holiday goodies for others, send Christmas cards, sing carols, pray for others. But we can do more.
For Christmas 2009, I decided to shift my present-buying/making strategy and seek out things with a “social good” element to them – a gift that would keep on giving, if you will. TOMS Shoes came to mind because of their buy-a-shoe, give-a-shoe, one for one strategy. With a little help from my tweeps on twitter, I found a number of other organizations out there with a similar mission. My little sister, for example, got a hand-crocheted hat from Krochet Kids, an organization that helps women in Uganda rise above poverty to create their own destiny. Moreso than the hat, it was the accompanying material that they sent that made the biggest impact during the unwrapping.
Since then, I’ve come to appreciate companies with a social good element; corporations and non-profits with a give-back element, not only ingrained in their corporate DNA, but also their business strategy. This blog will profile and overview those efforts. They’re out there, and we will work to find them. The more people that know about them, the bigger impact they can have. Help us spread the word. If you know of companies or organizations with this kind of element, send them my way. Their efforts need to be highlighted; their impact to be broadened.
Score {one} for humanity!
