Nonprofit Uses Social Media to Make an Impact

by    |   15th Aug 11 1:17 pm   |   4
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See Your Impact e1313452792904 Nonprofit Uses Social Media to Make an ImpactOne of the most powerful ways a nonprofit can win over donors is to ensure transparency and accountability. This is at the core of the mission of SeeYourImpact.org, a new non-profit that uses social media to report back to donors where their money went. Founded by former Microsoft executives Scott Oki and Digvijay Chauhan, it’s a revolutionary model for how nonprofits can use technology in the twenty-first century.

When we give a donation, each of us says, with justification: “How is my money being spent?” You want to know that your money is being spent wisely. The SeeYourImpact model directly addresses this. One hundred percent of your donation goes to the cause or gift that you select. And in 2 weeks, you receive and email detailing how your money was spent and who benefited.

syi2 Nonprofit Uses Social Media to Make an Impact

Water filter from Cambodia.

SYI1 Nonprofit Uses Social Media to Make an Impact

Mama Mugisha and family in their sustainable garden.

A well for a family in Cambodia. Job training for a single mother in the United States. $18 School uniforms for school children in Guatemala. A $10 malaria bed net for a child in Sierra Leone. SeeYourImpact has close to 200 gifts to help you make a difference in 18 countries and on 4 continents.

It is about bringing excitement to the giving process, and empowering the small donor. $5, $10, $20. Anyone, anywhere in the world can change lives. And when they do, they can share it on Facebook, Twitter, hey, why not Circle it? Because for the first time, people can actually see the real people their gifts are helping.

Apolo Ohno calls it “the Future of Philanthropy.” Celebrity health consultant Kimberly Snyder is leading a fundraiser for sustainable gardens in Rwanda.

Another way people are helping is by using their birthday, wedding, school reunion, office gathering or any special occasion to fundraise. When done this way, the impact is that much greater. In fact, the model is so respected that New York Times writer Nick Kristof tweeted: “Here’s a nifty Kiva-like website that lets donors see the impact of their dollars.”

Social media has been the most effective way SeeYourImpact has connected do-gooders and the causes they’re passionate about. It’s also been a way to have its message resonate with the community that’s been thirsty for a new way of approaching philanthropy and global giving.

Note: The writer is the SeeYourImpact community manager.

To see how you can make a difference, connect with SeeYourImpact through its Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.

2morrowknight is an author and social media correspondent who blogs for Huffington Post and Smedio. His work has also appeared in Buzzfeed, The Stimulist, Mission Hot Mama, Womentality Magazine and Essence. He has lectured at leading colleges and universities, and has collaborated on small businesses. With more than 20 years in marketing and public relations, he has been an advisor and consultant to institutions of high learning and community organizations. He's done extensive work in the area of speech writing and promotional campaigns for charities and nonprofits.
  • http://www.linkedin.com/pub/emily-berg/34/72/9b3 Emily Berg

    It is so important for donors to see the impact of their generosity! This post brings to mind an interview I had with Eugene Nelson, the founder of Blue Heart Charity. He created this charity for benefactors and for just $200, he installs wells for pockets of women and children as well as people with gardens in Cambodia. Afterwards, he takes a picture of the well with the name of the benefactor on it. Wonderful gift! If you care to learn more, read my latest post for Bank-On-Rain (the non-profit that I am interning for), 1 Man, 26 Wells (and counting…). 

    SeeYourImpact is such an amazing idea. It has so much capacity to do good! Important for small donors to see their impact as well. All contributions are important! 

    Much thanks for this post.

    Emily Berg for Bank-On-Rain
    Follow us on twitter @BANKONRAIN @EmilyBerg

    • http://www.facebook.com/2morrowknight Tomorrow Knight

      Thanks Emily!

  • http://twitter.com/mqtodd Michael Q Todd

    Love what you are doing Sean. So much that non profits can do! All their donors and supporters can work as a unified team nowadays with tools such as Social Base and Triberr. Get the stories shared out so as many people as possible can see the impact.

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