Archive for September, 2010

Karma411 + Ted Hart Webinar – Increase the Influence of Your Donors!

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

We would first like to thank all of those who attended our Webinar on Tuesday, September 28! Karma411′s John Murcott and Nonprofit Coach Ted Hart made excellent presentations on how social networking and people to people fundraising can pump-up your fundraising efforts!

Ted Hart kicked off the webinar by discussing the rapid growth in social networking, and went on to say how nonprofits should be taking a more integrated approach – combining fundraising with social networking. Ted highlighted the idea that nonprofits should be leveraging their key supporters online, and enabling them to campaign on the organizations behalf.

Ted also used his ‘Aunt Mable Effect’ example to emphasize the importance and effectiveness of people-to-people fundraising. The idea of this concept is that you are more likely to open an email event from your ‘Aunt Mable,’ or someone who is close to you, before opening an email from an organization. Taking this a step further, you are more likely to donate to an organization because your relative asked you to as opposed to if an organization asked. Finally, you are more likely to give a larger gift to an organization if your relative asked you, because there’s a chance she’ll see how much you gave!

John continued the presentation by explaining exactly what you can do on Karma411 and how you can leverage the relationships with the people who care about you to make the most of our fundraising tools. He also explained that there are four simple steps to fundraising success:

1. Create a Page

2. Email your Friends

3. Show Support Directly Through the Site

4. Track Reports and Donations with Tools on the Site

So, what are you waiting for? Join Karma411 today and show your support for your favorite nonprofit organization!

Danny’s Wish Campaign

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Here’s another great example of an organization taking advantage of Karma411′s online tools to raise money and awareness!

Danny’s Wish, a nonprofit organization devoted to raising money towards finding a cure for autism, recently launched its “iPads for Autism” campaign, a plan to donate 100 iPads to schools catering to the development of autistic individuals. Supporters of Danny’s Wish can invite their friends to the campaign, share their stories, post the campaign on Facebook, and donate on Karma411.

According to the Autism Awareness Centre, Autism is a lifelong, nonprogressive neurological disorder that typically appears before the age of three years. Autism affects the brain’s normal development of verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction skills, and their is neither a definitive cause nor cure for this disorder. Unfortunately, many who are diagnosed often go through life without having a voice, or a way of interacting with those who are closest to them.

Danny’s Wish organization chose to create an iPad for Autism campaign because the iPad provides autistic children an alternative way to both communicate and learn with applications that foster developmental growth such as Tap to Talk, iWriteWords and Stories2Learn. The iPad also gives those who are without speech, like Danny, a chance to be heard.

If you are passionate about an organization or a cause, contact a campaign specialist at Karma411 and find out how you can create your own campaign today!

Social Good Summit 2010!

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

On Monday, September 20th our very own Jules Strachman attended the Social Good Summit in New York City, presented by 92Y and Mashable, the top news source for all that is social & digital media technology! This summit was held to discuss effective ways in which new media can help address the world’s challenges.

Throughout the event Jules was tweeting live via his personal account as well as Karma411′s account about all sorts of exciting happenings such as cause-related marketing, viral video, and ‘performance with purpose.’ After hearing Jules’s feedback from the event, we are all so excited that concepts such as new media and online social networking are now considered serious and effective platforms for fundraising and awareness-raising by nonprofit executives.

Two social fundraising platforms similar to Karma411 were presented at the summit; Ed Norton made a presentation on Crowdrise, and Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes made a presentation on Jumo. We are more than happy to have them in our space, and look forward to seeing what they will be doing next!

This summit was such an exciting and informative event for nonprofits and social networking tools that support nonprofits (like us)! We look forward to the rest of social good week!

Find out more about Karma411 & people to people fundraising from Co-Founder John Murcott himself! Listen to his interview with Long Island Business News here.

Give the Gift of Charity this Holiday Season!

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

This year’s holiday season is just around the corner, and if you plan ahead (like I do), you’re probably already thinking about what you’re going to get for those who mean the most to you.

During these tough economic times, a great, philanthropic way to give back is to donate to your favorite charity – especially since so many nonprofit organizations have felt the impact of the recession in a big way. So, instead of giving a gift card to the mall to a relative this holiday season, why not ask them what their favorite nonprofit is, and leave a donation in their name? Every donation, small or large, helps, and I’m sure it will leave both you and your relative feeling great!

Karma411 makes donating to your favorite nonprofit quick and easy! All you have to do is follow a few simple steps: 1. Join Karma (in the top left hand corner); 2. Once you have joined, click on ‘Donate Now’ (on the left hand side of the page); 3. Search for your favorite nonprofit; 4. Donate! You can choose to either make a donation anonymously, or leave your name. You can even send a note to the organization, or notify a friend about your donation! If you have any questions, you can always contact a campaign specialist, just email campaignspecialist@karma411.com

And, of course, always remember to follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!

All For Africa “POP” Week

Friday, September 10th, 2010

If you’re looking to support a great cause, be sure to check out All For Africa – an organization whose founders launched new ventures in an effort to bring investment in infrastructure and employment opportunities to the African continent in order to better control their economic future. Starting September 27th, you can support A4A during International Palm Out Poverty week by hosting a dinner party to raise money and awareness for this great cause. Each dinner party will be complete with African food and wine, and can raise $1,000, which will benefit A4A’s POP Initiative to boost Western Africa’s agricultural economy and create $700 million over the next 35 years in sustainable revenue to fund projects. To find out more about how you can host a dinner party, visit Karma411 or email campaignspecialist@karma411.com

POP week promises a great time for all who participate! You can purchase tickets for the “POP” Festival On Monday, October 4th at 8 p.m. featuring John Legend, DJ ?uestlove of the Roots, and Chef Marcus Samuelsson, just to name a few.

All For Africa
Palm Out Poverty Week
September 27th through October 4th

Have you helped anyone today?

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

While flipping through a book of quotes Jim Estill had lent me, I came across one that made me stop and think (and immediately share with Karma411 Twitter followers)…

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” – Mother Teresa

This concept got me thinking. Helping one person can cause a waterfall effect, and can influence those around you or those you help to “pay it forward.” Help someone who you know is in need by telling a friend about a cause, donating your time or money, and sharing your story.

Online Auction Success!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Since I recently posted about our Auction event platform I thought it would be a good idea to highlight an organization who found success through our tool, The Mental Health Association of Nassau County!

The MHANC adopted Karma411‘s Auction platform to compliment their annual Charity Golf Classic and Auction. Leveraging our viral messaging tools and people to people technology, their organization was able to exceed their fundraising goal and raised over $100K!

Features of the Auction platform include: the ability to add auction items to the campaign in less than 30 seconds; a bid/buy now option to encourage bidding activity; reporting and processing tools; and a platform for donors to share their stories.

Stay tuned for posts on upcoming Auction events! And always remember to follow us on Twitter and be a fan on Facebook!