For those of you in Colorado, the snowfall makes it a great day for me to write and wish you happy holidays! I must say, as 2008 comes to a close, the season of giving has a different feel. The last quarter of this year unleashed a litany of economic disappointments that have left many of us feeling unsure of what we have and who we should trust with our dollars. At Community Shares, we recognize every gift is meaningful and personally significant. Our four guiding principles are choice in giving, local significance, membership diversity, and financial credibility and clarity. We are your partner in philanthropy and use your dollars wisely and gratefully.
As CEO of Community Shares, I am proud to partner with 112 effective and innovative Colorado nonprofit organizations. As we roll into 2009, we are implementing new Membership Excellence Standards in partnership with our nonprofit organizations. While we have always vetted our nonprofit member agencies, we will be able to give you even more information about how our member agencies are using your dollars. To create the Membership Excellence Standards, we have synthesized guidelines from the Colorado Nonprofit Association's Principles and Practices Guide, the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, the IRS, and Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector. We will work in partnership with our members to tell you more stories of their success.
During this season of giving, please consider Community Shares and our member agencies as worthy recipients of your support. For people trying to stretch their giving dollars, this newsletter highlights gifts that give twice. If you are budgeting for how to buy gifts for friends and family and still make charitable holiday gifts, these suggestions will help you double your impact without doubling your expenses. Choosing these gifts allows you to cross off items from your shopping and sharing lists!
My thanks for all you've shared with us in 2008. Best wishes for a hopeful holiday season and a brave new year!
Double your gift today! Any new and increased gifts to Community Shares will be matched dollar for dollar from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. Make a $25 donation in honor of a friend or family member and it will have a $50 impact! Make your gift here.
Businesses - Instead of sending your customers a box of chocolates, make a gift to a nonprofit in their name. Community Shares will provide you with an insert for your notice. Last year, Colorado Capital Bank made a $2,000 donation to our Shares Fund in honor of their customers. This December, CoBiz Insurance is making a $1,500 gift to the Partnership for Colorado in honor of their clients. Contact Alyssa for more information about making your corporate gift a reflection of your community values.
Many nonprofit organizations derive revenue from products made by their clients. You can give a great gift while supporting a worthy cause. Shop with a purpose today!
For those who order gifts on Amazon.com, use the Community Shares' link. Amazon will donate a percentage of sales to Community Shares when their site is accessed from our link. It's an easy way to give back and you can use the CSC link any time you shop on Amazon throughout the year.
Workplace giving through paycheck deduction typically enables people to give 40% more than they can through a one-time gift. Instead of writing a $50 check to your favorite charity, make a pledge to give $5 each paycheck and watch your giving total double. If you don't have campaign at your workplace, sign up for a monthly deduction of as little as $5 from your checking account. Download the form here.
Give yourself a gift you will receive when you file your 2008 taxes. Make your tax-deductible gift to Community Shares or any of our 112 member agencies today and apply the write-off in 2009.
Get that holiday Poinsettia, anniversary, and birthday plants or flowers and support Community Shares at thinkflowers.com. When you use this link, Community Shares receives $5 for every purchase.
You can even contribute while you surf the web. Choose "Community Shares - Colorado" under GoodSearch and GoodShop. There are lots of online stores to choose from that benefit Community Shares.
+ On behalf of the entire Community Shares community we wish you a happy and safe holiday season. As we flip the calendar on 2008 we ask you to consider the following opportunities as you prepare for your holiday of choice.
+ Many of our nonprofit partners have made it easy for you to pick up presents for loved ones and give a little back at no extra cost.Click here to check out the shopping list. + Reading through these opportunities makes me smile at the tremendously creative and resourceful Colorado community of nonprofit organizations. They do more with less better than just about anyone else. If you've not yet found a nonprofit which echoes your interests and values, we certainly invite you to do so here. Also, see the list of our member agencies here.
+ The end of the tax year approacheth! Remember that your donations are deductible (including payroll deductions)! But you must make a gift before the clock strikes midnight on the 31st! Visit our website here to make an easy and secure gift.
+ In 2007-08 Community Shares had another fantastic year raising over $1.5 million for the Colorado community and our 112 nonprofit partners. That is no small amount and is the reflection of just under $1 per day from our connected and loyal community. We are truly grateful and owe it all to you. +Through incremental giving Community Shares has generated better than $14 million for the community since our humble beginnings as the Alternative Fund in 1986.
+ We continually remind our community that incremental giving makes a monumental difference. During the tough times that accompany this particular holiday remember that microgiving can make a huge difference. Click here to learn more about using microgiving as a strategy for success.
+ As we make our way through the Holiday fray, remember to be thankful for what you have and that your mood will help shape the collective psyche of 2009. Be a part of the solution and Bee Positive!
+ Community Shares starts with you. Best wishes to you and yours and we'll see you on the flip side of '08. Thank you for your past and future support and expect big things from Community Shares in 2009!
Many Community Shares nonprofits partner with local stores and restaurants. All you have to do is shop and gifts will be made to the community on your behalf.
Senior Housing Options has partnered with Poppies Restaurant and 20% of your meal total will be donated to SHO!
Big City Mountaineers (one of Cshares 2008 Momentum Award winners) has partnered with The North Face Store in Cherry Creek for a movie night and silent auction. Chill with a free beer, brat and take in some sick mountain footage while supporting young Denver mountaineers.
Looking for a unique gift this holiday? Willow, an Artisan's Market located in Boulder and Littleton is having showings and receptions to showcase birdhouses decorated by local artists. The proceeds of each sale go to Flatirons or Denver Metro Habitat for Humanity.
Pick up some discounted music at the Trust the Dust event for KGNU community radio tomorrow. See www.kgnu.org.
The Gathering Place was recently named Whole Foods (Cherry Creek and Capitol Hill) recipients of their Grab and Give program. Until January 1st when you shop at Whole Foods shoppers can purchase a pre-packaged meal designed to feed a family of four, and add it to their bill. $5 and $10 bags of breakfast, lunch, or dinner are available.
Several of our nonprofit partners offer merchandise that you can pick up as gifts:
Women's Bean Project is having their Holiday sale this weekend the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Visit www.womensbeanproject.org for more info and to see their cool merchandise.
Pick up Earthlinks Greenfingers products at the Lakewood Cultural Center and other locations. See www.earthlinks-colorado.org for more information
Give a Giving Card from the Kempe Center, please click here.
Volunteer Connection is currently selling Note Cards - $12.00 for 8 Notecards, 2 designs of their "I Volunteer!" Day artwork by Harriet Peck Taylor. www.volunteerconnection.net
Happy Election Day! I must admit, I'm a civic participation geek who has worn her "I Voted!" sticker with glee on every Election Day since I turned 18. I empathize with people who prefer not to vote early or by mail because they feel the "I Voted!" sticker is the cherry on the top of their democracy sundae. If you haven't done so, get out there and vote and wear your sticker with a smile.
To combat what has been a depressing October filled with news of the turbulent economy and divisive political ads, the staff of Community Shares decided to introduce an Ambassadors of Positivity campaign. We started publicly recognizing each other when someone chooses to be positive instead of cynical, patient instead of sarcastic, or willing to reframe a problem as an opportunity. It has made a dramatic impact on the spirit of our office and added a lot of silly joy over small things. Like our giving campaigns, it's amazing how incremental attitude choices make a monumental difference on the people around us.
Studies show smiling increases people's Good Samaritan instinct to help others. (In other words, the next time you need help changing a flat tire, let those pearly whites shine!) I found a study that went a step further. The study set up two sets of two people to interact with 800 strangers. In half of the exchanges, they timed the interaction so the first confederate would smile at someone and 1-2 seconds later a second confederate would drop a stack of computer disks. People who were exposed to a smile seconds before were 10% more likely to stop and help the person in need.
I love the idea of transferable smiles! At Community Shares, we ask you to partner with us to invest in building a stronger community. This week, let's all try to up the investment with a few smiles. Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, every new or increased gift to Community Shares will be matched dollar for dollar. For the month of November, please note the staff of Community Shares will also be matching all smiles, grin for grin.
PS: Thanks to our lean operations and the match from the Gay & Lesbian Fund a $10 gift can generate $200 in giving campaign donations. Make a Gift Today!
The vast majority of our workplace giving campaigns are running right now. Bring some positive energy to your giving campaign. Here are three easy ways to make giving fun and contagious. 1. A 2005 study disputed the idea that success makes people happy - instead, it turns out that happy people are more likely to be successful. Happy people are easier to work with, more highly motivated, and more willing to tackle a difficult project - all of which lead them to be successful. If you view running your campaign as a great opportunity to increase community investment and bring that positive attitude into your campaign it will change the dynamics of your campaign and boost success. 2. Share success stories. We have many inspiring stories from our member agencies that point out how a few dollars can make an amazing impact. Email Erin Atwell to request positive stories to share with your co-workers. 3. Deliver each pledge form with a smile. It's a free, easy, and effective way to increase a person's likelihood to give.
+ If the election process can be described as the quintessential American Roadtrip then I'm the kid in the backseat asking, "Are we there yet?"
+ After an October to forget all eyes are now focused on an election to remember. Mindshare has been crowded for months, fatigue is setting in, and societal acrimony is simmering on the hot collective stovetop.
+ Thank goodness for Halloween which ironically enough provided a little bit of normalcy to a crazy fall. Mini shareholders hit the streets in search of sugar and we could all open our doors and share with the neighbors.
+ The fact that this occurred with everyone in pretend mode was beside the point. It was just nice to see an uptick in societal mood if just for one evening.
+ What is Societal Mood you ask? It is the human equation - the collective feelings of a community which swing back and forth in never ending succession.
+ Simply speaking, social mood is the compilation and dynamic of the attitudes within your social circle!
+ As the socioeconomic malaise jumps the shark into the mainstream and becomes increasingly present in water cooler conversation we at Community Shares encourage you to join us in our Ambassador of Positivity campaign.
+ Look at the bright side, take the high road, and bee positive!
+ Blind optimism? No. Just the recognition that your spirits and actions in the face of negativity have a profound effect on your community.
+ On this most patriotic of days please remember that nothing is more quintessentially American than giving. Whether you open your door up to the kiddos on Halloween or make a gift to your favorite charity during tough times, we all need to pitch in with a little humility and a lot of humanity as we wind down one era and wind up another.
+ As you make your way through the election I'll offer that there are no red or blue shareholders - we're all in this together. So go and cast your votes for a new chapter! Good luck!
Thanks to oddtodd.com for the inspiring graphic! To Toddo Harrison at Minyanville for the thought provoking daily words, and to Robert Prechter and Elliott Wave for bringing the most mind blowing concept (socionomics and the wave principle) to life on a daily basis.
I've included the text below but take some time to link to this great article on why giving circles are a hot philanthropic trend. It addresses the generational shift and how social media is a great fit with philanthropic networks. Thanks to Jason for sending it my way. We are hoping our upcoming My Colorado Project takes these ideas and opens up a great new vehicle for giving in Colorado.
Giving circles are a hot trend in philanthropy. Similar to the investment clubs of the 1990s that brought people together to talk about stock picking, giving circles are social groups where people pool resources and decide which non-profits to fund. If giving circles prove to be a hit, a few years from now cocktail party chatter might include: “I just got a hot tip on a non-profit you should consider!”
One of these giving circles is the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund. With about 30 members, the circle consists of residents who work in both the non-profit and corporate worlds. Each year they vote on what areas to focus on, such as poverty or education, and then go through a process of identifying and selecting high-impact non-profits.
Drawing on a venture philanthropy model, the group provides cash grants, technical expertise and access to their members’ networks for each of their grantees. Members in turn gain a model where their giving replicates the practices of many institutional foundations, yet they are required only to give $365 a year. Learning about philanthropy isn’t the only reason people join giving circles. “Giving circles are like a book club meets an investment club,” says Nicole Cozier, philanthropy education officer at the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, a public foundation that sponsors a number of circles. “They allow people to come together with others who have similar interests.”
The way that many giving circles mimic investment clubs suggests that philanthropy may be embarking on the same cultural leap that investing went through in the 1980s and 1990s. During those years, individual investors became a massive force as baby boomers saved for retirement.
Investment clubs were one popular way that investors learnt about the financial markets. These clubs consist of individuals who contribute to a common investment fund and meet regularly to decide how to invest the fund’s assets. In addition to members doing research on stock picks, expert advisers often make presentations at club meetings. Clubs combine socializing with investment education and, hopefully, profitable investments.
This year, the first baby boomers retire and enter their “peak giving years” when people’s charitable giving tends to increase. Retirees often look for social groups to join and many baby boomers are seeking groups that can help them “give back” in some way. Giving circles are a natural option and a familiar concept to anyone who has been part of an investment club.
But it is not only baby boomers who are becoming interested in philanthropy and giving circles; there is also increased interest from Generation Y. This generation of young people has spent its high school years volunteering and seems eager to engage with the social sector. While cell phone giving and online social networks might steal the headlines when it comes to next generation philanthropy, there is also a growing interest in giving circles.
The Young Philanthropist Committee of Birthright Israel NEXT NY is a group funded by Michael Steinhardt, the hedge fund legend turned philanthropist. The program has created a 20-person giving circle comprised of individuals in their 20s and 30s who have come together to support Jewish causes in the US. Rebecca Sugar, director of Birthright Israel NEXT NY, was inspired by Mr Steinhardt’s son David, a childhood friend of hers who had started his own giving circle. Each cycle, the 20 participants put up $500 each, which Birthright Israel NEXT NY matches. The young members of the group pitch each other on non-profits they think should receive the money. The finalist organizations present to the group and a winner is selected. After a strong showing by the 2007 group, the Young Philanthropist Committee has launched a second circle and assisted two of its members in starting their own separate circles.
By blending the best practices of institutional philanthropy with the social atmosphere of an informal club, giving circles have the potential to spread quickly. It is my hope that they will encourage more people to be actively engaged in giving and to do so more effectively.
If you are interested in learning how to start your own circle, visit the Giving Circles Knowledge Center hosted by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers at givingforum.org.
Each fall, we ask Coloradans to support the charities and causes they care about most. At Community Shares, we encourage each donor to choose which nonprofit organizations will receive funding. Over 98% of our workplace donations are designated to individual nonprofit organizations.
The staff of Community Shares participates in a workplace giving campaign each year. (As a testament to incremental giving, since 2000 our small staff has contributed over $15,000 to member charities!). When I choose which nonprofits to support, I consider myself a "community shareholder" making an investment toward achieving my vision of a better Colorado. If I align my giving with an organization that reflects my values, has a business model I believe in, and a mission statement that truly drives decision-making, I have confidence my community investment will pay dividends.
I've been working on a draft of a Personal Philanthropy Plan in conjunction with development of our online giving site, mycoloradoproject.org. It includes worksheets to help you identify your top values, select your most important issues, and draft a personal mission statement. We've included the draft for download and I'd love to hear your feedback on our blog, The Shares Holder. I'd especially like to hear if developing a personal mission statement helps you target your giving this fall.
Thank you for investing in Community Shares! Please feel free to give me a call or send me an email if you'd like to discuss how to target your giving.
I’d like to know if identifying your most important values, selecting your top issues, and creating a personal mission statement helps you focus your giving. Here are my results:
My top values: community, interdependence, opportunity
My top issues: civil rights, community investment, corporate responsibility
My mission statement: I believe every person has the potential to help build a stronger community and I can engage people in recognizing their changemaking power.
+ I need to know that my nonprofit partner is able to do the things they say they're going to do or are doing. Another place to get help with this is to examine a nonprofit's annual report. You can usually find these on an org's website. Community Shares 2007 Annual Report is an example of comprehensive reporting on the organization's leadership, key programs and accomplishments, sources of income, and financial reporting based on an independent auditors report. Look for those key information pieces in an annual report.
+ Another place to find your nonprofit matches is the Community Shares Member Directory. You can easily search by name, location, and service area.
+ Community Shares participates in many Metro Denver campaigns as a member of the Partnership for Colorado. Have you seen the new Partnership for Colorado website?
+ Are you interested in learning more about some of the key issues? Go here.
+ Additionally, some choose to take a holistic view of giving to the community. If you want to make a well rounded community impact then look into investing in our Community Shares Fund which is a gift to all of our member agencies and thus, a great gift to the community.
+ You've seen those online match-making services right? I saw a commercial last night for eHarmony which promised me a long lasting and compatible relationship.
+ I've decided to take them up on their offer. Perhaps I misunderstood the promise of this commercial, but I'm anxious to see if eHarmony can match me up with the perfect charity for me.
+ Okay, I'm signing up for eHarmony now(don't tell my wife).
+ Just like the commercial says eHarmony, "has a patented Compatibility Matching System which allows members to be matched with compatible persons with whom they are likely to enjoy a long-term relationship" - sounds like I'm in the right spot to find my match.
+ They're having me fill out a crazy long questionaire about myself and my interests. I'm not sure how my height and athletic ability will help me find a match, but I'm learning all sorts of things about myself and that is the first step toward finding the right nonprofit for you.
+ Section 4: Values. "Am I looking for a long term relationship?" Yep.
+ Man, this thing is long, but yours doesn't have to be. Have you seen the first draft of our Personal Philanthropy Plan yet?
+ Making a list of your interests and values helps you to write a personal mission statement which is key to proactive, strategic giving.
+ Section 8: "My partner's skills at resolving conflicts." Very important to me. I need to know that my nonprofit partner is able to do the things they say they're going to do or are doing. Another place to get help with this is to examine a nonprofit's annual report. You can usually find these on the org's website. Here's an example.
+ Another place to find your nonprofit matches is the Community Shares Member Directory. You can easily search by name, location, and service area.
+ Section 11: My Skills. This is really important because it will match me up with a nonprofit where my philanthropy is reflected not only through funding, but also by giving my time and talent. Remember, anyone who gives back is a Shareholder.
+ Section 14: Location. "How far am I willing to search to find my match?" The closer the better. Community Shares is all about Colorado Philanthropy and we believe that making a difference is best accomplished on a local level.
+ Now onto my matches. What? "We couldn't find a match for you at this time." How is that possible? This system stinks - I'm going to use the Personal Philanthropy Plan instead.
+ My Values: Conservation, Investing, Self-Reliance
+ My Issues: Civic Engagement, Land Preservation, and Financial Literacy (not on there, but it will be)
+ Additionally, some choose to take a holistic view of giving to the community. If you want to make a well rounded community impact then look into investing in our Community Shares Fund which is a gift to all of our member agencies and thus, a great gift to the community.
+ A very quick reminder that one bad apple doesn't mean the bunch is bad. Main street has now recognized the ailments that has been brewing on Wall Street for well over a year. Be good to one another as we will get through these turbulent times together as a community.
Many people have asked me, "How will the tough economy affect the 2008 Community Giving Campaign?" Unfortunately, increased consumer costs have a compounding factor on most nonprofit organizations - the need for their services increases despite flat or decreased funding. However, I am able to tell people Community Shares' workplace donors have remained rock steady in their support of local giving over the years. When times are tough, our workplace donors continue to support the charities and causes they care about most.
A recent post on Newsweek.com titled, "The Coming Charity Crisis" quoted a fundraising consultant who stated, "...in the minds of some, philanthropy is a luxury. You pay your bills first and then start making charitable gifts."
The idea of philanthropy as a luxury made me stop and think. Where does my personal giving rank on my list of spending priorities? Do I count my giving dollars as discretionary or as a fixed cost in my budget? Am I a person who gives when it is convenient? Or do I consider myself a "community shareholder" who knows my investment matters most during difficult times?
Giving through paycheck contributions allows me to give on a budget and invest in my community when it needs my support most. Thanks to the innovative work of our member agencies, I know my contributions will pay dividends. Join me and become a community shareholder!
Microgiving Your Way Through Rough Times Even small donations can make a huge difference
+ Can you feel it? Apprehension is in the air and with each day I feel an uptick in societal uncertainty and acrimony.
+ The current economic climate of high energy prices, deflating home values, and as violatile of a financial market as many have ever seen, can be described, at least by this Community Shareholder, as a perfect storm for the nonprofit sector as we begin a fall to remember.
+ Why does that matter? Remember Shareholders, bad economic times affect us all. The real kicker though is that those who are the most affected are often those who can afford it least. Unless we maintain our support in good times and bad we're in for a harsh winter.
+ Many of our most successful community programs are dependant upon transportation to continue delivering. The Denver Hospice and Project Angel Heart are two that have seen expenses jump through the roof.
+ Where do we go from here? It's easy to think that this situation is out of our collective control, but that couldn't be further from the truth. You can't control the stock market or the price of gas, but you can control your actions and your attitude and that means a lot when multiplied by togetherness.
+ The best way out of this hole is to stop digging, and fair-weather philanthropy doesn't help the community to stop digging.
+ In the world of community services, Microgiving is the hot new fundraising method. It's based on the concept that we can do more together than we can alone. You see examples of it every day when you look at the yellow wristbands of those united to fight cancer. Over 70 million of those puppies have been sold in 4 years for $1 a piece.
+ What is it? It's simple - incremental giving makes a monumental difference and Community Shares is proof positve of this. Last year, Community Shares raised over $1.5 million for the community. All of this was with an average donation of less than a dollar a day. That's some serious community-rallying!
+ A simple donation of $5 a paycheck adds up to a heck of a lot when multiplied annually and combined with your friends, family, and co-workers. Microgiving typically allows participants to give 40% more than through a one-time gift and quite simply, it allows you to give easily in a tougher economic climate and doesn't force you to make a sacrifice outside of your means.
+ But, we ALL need to throw in. Give up a latte a week -- that's all we're asking.
+ Microgiving feels new and is definitely an exciting trend, but the truth is that it has been around for nearly a century. This fall workplace giving campaigns all over Colorado will kick off. Workplace giving is one of the original forms of Microgiving.
+ Hey, the message ain't pretty, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Times are tough and without you many of our nonprofits and community programs are in for a hard 4th quarter. Can you handle the truth?
+ We're looking at an uphill climb from here and our mood as a community dictates our success in moving forward.Think before acting, breathe before snapping, and be good to your fellow Shareholders. Let's put on the rally cap and make this a season of giving we'll remember for all the right reasons!
+ You can make the difference when it counts most.
I have to start with a disclaimer: I am disappointed I cannot list Community Shares’ website as one of my favorites and I hope our upcoming reboot and public launch of the My Colorado Project will bump us to the top.
Our website includes some classic nonprofit mistakes: too many pages (mostly due to sub pages) which prevent information being kept up to date; a fairly static look that contradicts our dynamic organization; and, it doesn’t put our best attributes first – the people who make up our community giving fund.I would compare it to meeting someone on Match.com and then they show up for a face-to-face date, they look nothing like they sounded like.In this case, it is the opposite – we look and sound great but you meet us online and it is like meeting a different person.
We’ve been doings some fun work on our branding with board member Rich Jones (thanks!) that has made me take a look around and seek nonprofit or community-focused organizations that have websites that reflect their personality and attributes.
Here are a few of my favorite community change and nonprofit organization websites and why I love them. [Second disclaimer: In some cases, I may love a site while knowing little about the organization.] Of course, these are my opinions as an individual combined with my nonprofit executive eyes.Definitely respond with your favorite sites.
Why I Love It: Awesome site upgrade!First off, the look of the site does a great job inviting you in and puts the product first.(For most nonprofits, the product is the change created.For WBP, they have two products – the women and the beans.)The video on the home page automatically loads which grabs your attention and makes you want to learn more.The shopping feature is super clean and easy to use.This is also a great example of not sending your site visitor to a third party to shop or donate.All in all, it’s great site.
Why I Love It: It puts the animals first.My two favorite features on the site are the header that flashes through the animal pics (and they aren’t afraid to use white space!) and the adoption area of the site is genius.I love that they are adding videos of the dogs and the email function is diabolical (if you are trying to resist your partner’s efforts in adopting a cat).I think they could upgrade some other areas of the site (especially the donation options) but they do right what matters most.
Why I Love It: Planned Parenthood has to balance the purpose of their site because the two primary reasons people visit require different messaging and voice.For those looking for services, they use straightforward, clear language and the ability to find a location near you follows you throughout the site when you are pages related to health topics.For those who want to learn about issues and action, the language changes and you are given very easy options to get involved locally.It strikes a nice balance and exudes support, authority, and a clear point of view.
(Okay, I must admit that one of my least favorite beginnings of a sentence is, “I was listening to NPR…”And, if anyone who knows me in my personal life is reading this, you know exactly why.In addition, I wish they would do more work giving the public the microphone instead of talking about what the public is doing.However…)
Why I Love It: The NPR site is a great example of using multiple media to share your product.Their streaming quality has greatly improved and they have podcasts, RSS, desktop widgets (Google Gadget in this case), mobile alerts and trivia quizzes, and a wide variety of options for their electronic newsletter service.If you don’t know what any of those things are, email me for more information or go check out the options on the NPR site.
This site is labeled “inspired thoughts by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers”.It features videos from the annual TED conferences.TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds.
Why I Love It: It uses some of the greatest attributes of social media.Think about reading about TED in a magazine and thinking, “I wish I could be there.”Thanks to the internet, you can be.Easy to watch, easy to share, easy to search.
Changemakers.net is a project of Ashoka and it aims to “open source social solutions”.Changemakers is building the world's first global online "open source" community that competes to surface the best social solutions, and then collaborates to refine, enrich, and implement those solutions. Changemakers begins by providing an overarching intellectual framework for collaborative competitions that bring together individual social change initiatives into a more powerful whole.
Why I Love It: This truly is using social media for social change – it’s two paradigm shifts beyond where the sector is on social media.Talk about using collective knowledge and innovation to solve problems!This is a great model for nonprofits – instead of sending a fundraising letter asking constituents for money to solve a problem, what if you asked them all to weigh in first on the best way to do it.Engage your donors in real change.This site boggles my mind with potential.
This topic is of great interest to me and I will be sure to put out updates to this list quarterly.I also look forward to putting Community Shares at the top of the list soon.
Don’t forget to respond and let me know your favorite sites!
I've had August 1st circled on my calendar for the past five months. It is Day One of the thirty-one August days that will be consumed with Colorado hosting the Democratic National Convention. Like many, I have a mixture of excitement and dread when I consider the upcoming impact on the city. Because the staff of Community Shares is busy preparing for the 2008 Community Giving Campaign kicking off this September, we will hunker down in August and take full advantage of the calm before the convention/campaign storm. However, some of our member agencies are taking advantage of the excitement and influx of people to host community events in August. This newsletter includes a list of informative and fun August community events.
Our Denver office is located at 1536 Wynkoop which means the Pepsi Center is just 2-3 good golf swings away from our door. Should I brave the walk to work, negotiate our building's security clearance and media credentials, and revel in being in the heart of the action? Or, should I take a few days off work, get out of town, enjoy a long Labor Day, and see how Colorado looks through the eyes of the nation? I'm conflicted but know August will be a month to remember.
Ttell us what you are going to do to enjoy the convention - whether that is scrambling for a front row seat or a pitching a tent and enjoying the last days of August up in the Rockies.
We've been hearing about DNC traffic, street closures, security updates etc. for months - finally Dnever is ready to play host to the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention. We at Community Shares have been involved in more ways than one and we thought we'd show you what some of our other member agencies are doing to capitalize on the big event.
As always, please click on the highlighted text to view the links in the quips below.
+ Members of the media will be swarming the city like a pack of killer Bee-Boys and Colorado Environmental Coalition, (and Community Shares) are located in the middle of the swarm! Headquarters for both orgs is The Alliance Center at 15th and Wynkoop in the heart of the DNC activity. The Alliance Center is playing host to an exciting venue: The Big Tent.
Sponsored by the likes of Google, and Digg, The Big Tent is the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and nonprofit leaders covering the DNC. The 9,000 square foot structer will be housed in the Alliance Center parking lot. Community Shares has graciously given up our parking spots during this time thus extending our philanthropic services even further!
+ While we're on the topic of bloggin' don't forget to check in on the Community Shares Blog: The Shares Holder every now and again for the latest updates. Visit the blog and let us know whether you're going to be taking advantage of the historic occasion or escaping the convention (and the heat) and head to the hills!
+ Member agency KGNU Community Radio is taking advantage of the opportunity. Their coverage of the DNC will span the week and will begin on Sunday, August 24th, the eve of the Convention, from 7 to 10pm. KGNU can be heard at 88.5 FM in the Boulder area, 1390 AM in the Denver area, 93.7 FM in Nederland and worldwide on the internet at www.kgnu.org.
+ Channel 12 PBS is getting in on the action too. As part of the station's regular "Colorado Decides" election series every two years, the August event is especially important to their local effort since all eyes will be on Denver. Visit KBDI.org regularly for more detailed and updated information on KBDI's 2008 election coverage. Download the election coverage schedule here.
+ It all gets booming with the Unity Dance on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Tracks/EXDO Events Center. Unity Dance 08 will connect the men's and women's community along with local and national GLBT organizations for a single, unprecedented DNC host city party. Did someone say collaboration? Unity Dance 08 will be a party-not a political event-so, no speeches or partisanship, just fun! Need more info? Contact dedefrain@babesaroundenver.com.
+ NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado is hosting an event in conjuction with the DNC. Stand Up For Choice will be held August 27 at the DC10 Lounge (940 Lincoln) from 6-10pm. Comedians Rubi Nicholas and Lynne Kolitz will join the rally. Prizes will be given away throughout the night. For more info or to atted, check out: http://www.prochoicecolorado.org or call (303) 394-1973x23 for tickets.
+ If you caught our last issue of Tuesday Talk then you remember how we highlighted organizations that are thinking outside the box and using You Tube to raise awareness (find it here). Here is another great example from member agency the American Friends Service Committee. AFSC will be displaying the Cost of War banners along the Cherry Creek and Platte River trails, near REI. The Cost War exhibit will be on display Sunday, August 24-Wednesday, August 27 from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
As you can see, our members are well positioned to capitalize on the historic DNC opportunity. If your nonprofit is doing something in conjunction with the conference we'll gladly list them on our blog. Please email Jason@Cshares.org to get your event listed and visit The Shares Holder for more information.
For those of you in Colorado, the snowfall makes it a great day for me to write and wish you happy holidays! I must say, as 2008 comes to a close, the season of giving has a different feel. The last quarter of this year unleashed a litany of economic disappointments that have left many of us feeling unsure of what we have and who we should trust with our dollars. At Community Shares, we recognize every gift is meaningful and personally significant. Our four guiding principles are choice in giving, local significance, membership diversity, and financial credibility and clarity. We are your partner in philanthropy and use your dollars wisely and gratefully.
+ Member agency 
Posts
