America's Giving Challenge!

Take the CHALLENGE and learn how simple technology can be a force for good and giving. Oh yes! I am talking about the America’s Giving Challenge. It encourages everyone and anyone with access to Internet, punch of passion and commitment, and belief in new and innovative ideas to take the challenge!

Parade and the Case Foundation, leaders in the area of online fundraising for nonprofits, are proud to partner with Network for Good and Global Giving to process donations made through America’s Giving Challenge. The Challenge reinforces the fact that good can be achieved when great people, great ideas, and great opportunities come together. The Challenge is at its near last and most interesting phase right now…with non-profits struggling to be on the top slot.

The Challenge has also come to prove what marketing and social networking can do for nonprofits. The idea is that through the use of charity badges, the eight nonprofit winners who manage to attract the largest number of unique donors will win $50,000 for their cause. This really is amazing! I surely see the need for e – philanthropy in India, which is so not known or may be put into use. The best thing about the challenge is that it has the potential to make "all donors feel equal in the eyes of philanthropy." Anyone can support a cause that he/she may be passionate about for as little as $10 and feel like an empowered donor!

I am sure most of us read the quote in the Washington Post article from GlobalGiving's Dennis Whittle: "It used to be that if you wanted to give and have an impact, people thought you had to be Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey. But because of the way the technology works, you can be an 'ordinary Oprah.' If you've got $10 or $100 or $1,000, you can come and find a school in Africa to support, and you can get updates from the field to get responses to your support." The Challenge has such a feel good factor and I can’t wait to see the final results.

I have also reached almost the last pages of David Bornstein’s How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. The book profiles some twenty social entrepreneurs and their organizations; and provides insight into what makes a social entrepreneur special. It also inspires you to be one! The book has highlighted individuals across the globe; who took charge of social problems and could find innovative, even unique, solutions.

On work front…am damn busy with the FTS Freedom Awards 2008. Almost buried under the pile of nominations – reviewing, researching, analyzing and questioning…whoops! This surely is enriching my knowledge on organizations doing some exemplary work around the globe. There is just so much to learn.

On Sunday, I dressed up in my traditional dress for Shakranti (festival) prayers and Gargi gave me a surprise with a lovely home baked cake. This was to celebrate my belated birthday and my more than a month old marriage. I was so touched…thank you Gargi!

On a serious note, these challenges and awards are very popular right now, but I am interested to see what happens when the fanfare has died and the prizes have all been awarded.

And here’s an appeal – I am an Atlas Fellow and my sponsor organization Atlas Corps is moving strongly towards expanding its program. It is a great concept where non-profit professionals from developing countries are chosen to come and volunteer (learn & contribute) at some of the most prestigious non-profits in the United States. It is an organization that has been successful entirely because of public support. Atlas Corps is trying hard to maintain itself in the top slot in the America’s giving Challenge. A contribution of as little as $ 10 can make a difference - so please go to www.atlascorps.org and consider making a $10 online donation today!