7 Ways to Make a Difference

By Courtney Carey

We have all been watching the news in horror as Friday’s unimaginable tragedy in Japan unfolds. As of this morning, the official death toll had reached just over 1,500, but many are expecting that number to rise above 10,000 people. While the initial earthquake and tsunami have passed, the aftershock, mourning and recovery efforts have just begun.

If you’re like me, you feel a sense of helplessness when watching the news about this devastating tragedy. I find myself wondering what I can do to help and make a difference. Technology has made it possible for anyone to make a difference, no matter how big or small the contribution. Every little bit counts.

An article from Mashable details seven simple ways that anyone can make a difference and contribute in the relief efforts:

1. Text to Donate: The American Red Cross has launched another Text Campaign to aid in the relief efforts in Japan. All you have to do is text REDCROSS to 90999 and $10 will be contributed to their efforts.
2. Donate Through Facebook: By logging in to your personal Facebook page you can donate $10-$500 through the American Red Cross’ Causes page: http://www.causes.com/campaigns/154523/
3. Play Virtual Games: Through playing the popular online games FarmVille, CityVille and FrontierVille you can help make a difference in the Japan relief efforts.
4. Embed a Code: By embedding a simple code on your website or blog, you can encourage others to get involved and help spread the word about relief efforts.
5. “Like” a Facebook Page: $1 of every “like” on the Dog Bless You Facebook Page (up to $100,000) will be donated to relief efforts. This page has reached the $100,000 goal.
6. Support through Twitter: There are several hashtags on Twitter that allow you to help with relief efforts and stay up-to-date with the latest news.
7. Donate on iTunes: Apple has created a donation page on iTunes on which you can choose to donate $5 to $200 towards the cause.
   

These seven ways to help are just a few of many options out there. For more detailed information on the relief efforts mentioned above, visit the Mashable article, “Japan Earthquake & Tsunami: 7 Simple Ways to Help.”

Courtney Carey is Manager of Social Media at Maroon PR. Contact her at Courtney@Maroon PR.com

Texting for a Cause

By Mitchell Schmale

Nonprofits are often looking for creative ways to share their message, advance their missions and also raise much needed funds to help support their organizations.

In good economic times and bad, nonprofits will continue to utilize traditional fundraising techniques including capital campaigns, corporate partnerships and direct outreach to donors, to name just a few. But more nonprofits of all sizes are now trying to emulate the success of recent text messaging campaigns as an additional fundraising tool to help reach younger donors and build a donor support base for the future.

The New York Times’ Stephanie Strom wrote an interesting article recently on the challenges of launching and maintaining successful text messaging campaigns for many nonprofits.

Following the amazing success of the American Red Cross texting campaign to support Haiti in January of this year, other nonprofits realized the immense potential power of the fundraising vehicle. The text Haiti campaign raised more than $30 million, which was almost as much as all other nonprofit text campaigns in 2009 combined.

However, as The New York Times piece points out, the American Red Cross example is difficult model to replicate. Not every nonprofit is able to share the same sense of urgency, have the ongoing support of global awareness from news coverage, or have the support from other national organizations and high-profile public figures. Additionally, the ongoing cost of creating and maintaining a text campaign can be a costly expense for smaller nonprofits.

Nonetheless, I believe texting campaigns will become yet another traditional mainstay for nonprofits of all sizes to use as a fundraising tool in the future. With the help of corporate partners underwriting campaigns and the costs of launching and maintaining campaigns with mobile phone companies possibly declining in the future, nonprofits will tap into the texting craze for the long haul – at least until the next best technology-based fundraising tool comes along.

Mitchell Schmale is the Vice President of Business. Contact him at mitchell@maroonpr.com.