Investing in Me

A few months ago, I wrote about my desire to micro-invest in businesses starting on the 30th anniversary of my first open heart surgery. Well, I ended up having a pacemaker implanted on November 10th (yes I'm 32 and a cyborg lol) so that didn't go as planned on November 8th. Instead, I decided to invest in me this month.  Although, I did give to a couple of small businesses in October :).

I thought long and hard about my next venture. I've worked in education (former special education teacher), nonprofit (people with disabilities), volunteered with veteran service organizations and helped startups.  I decided that it was time to start my own for-profit social enterprise.  The thinking didn't start in November.  It started last year on a visit to Michigan, my home state.  I was devastated to see empty storefronts.  Later, Borders, my favorite local bookstore (I grew up in Ann Arbor), closed.  I wanted to do something, but couldn't decide what or how.  In November, after the pacemaker implant, I decided to go for it.

I asked a web developer for help, asked a friend for more help and while recuperating, did market research.  I had to learn how to incorporate in Michigan while living in California.  I engaged a great Michigan-based writer to help with articles that I'd need written.  In January, my new venture will debut.  Wish me luck!

I'm not giving up on my promise for micro-philanthropy.  I'll still give and document my $30/month.  Now I'm going to spread what I'm doing even further. 

DoGooder, You Tube and the NonProfit Video Awards

Do a good deed, make an awesome video, get votes and win big on YouTube for your favorite cause/nonprofit.  While you're there, sign up for the Daily DoGooder email to learn about what other people and nonprofits are doing. 

Animoto

Sign up for the Animoto nonprofit program to get professional tools for free.  Make a video from your event photos, ad music and wording and voila, a video ready for YouTube is born.  Animoto even provides music.  Y

AOL 365

I can't wait until April (and not just because of my birthday).  AOL 365 launches.  This initiative gives nonprofits exposure on the front page (top right corner) of AOL's site.  How do you get on the homepage?  Through contests.  They're highlighting one nonprofit/day for a year.

Salute to Service

This site, presented by Causecast highlights organizations that help veterans.  It launched in time for Veteran's Day 2010.  Salute to Service organizations are veteran organizations on the Causecast website.

HuffingtonPost Impact

Now that it belongs to AOL and has a Twitter exec in charge of social impact, the Huffington Post has a new channel.  Using CauseCast and Causecast nonprofits, they're highlighting good deeds around the country and nonprofits that are helping people, the environment and animals. 

Citizen IBM

You can follow them at Twitter (@citizenIBM), Facebook, and YouTube (citizenIBM).  IBM's employees are using their considerable tech knowledge to solve problems around the world for nonprofits and others.  They're using video, social media and challenges to inspire themselves and others to help the world.  You can also find and read their blog.

My Impact

Why do I love my impact? Let me count the ways:

1. I can log my volunteer hours
2. I can log my donations
3. I can log what I did while volunteering
4. I can ask others to help a worthy nonprofit
5. It got a shout out from Create the Good. 

Did I mention that it just surpassed 600 members?  It's small and growing.  That means that for nonprofits, one can get found easier.  It's also pretty easy to place a nonprofit on the site. 

Salesforce Foundation

The Salesforce Foundation gives away 1% of the products, time and money of Salesforce.  What is Salesforce? It's open source and allows businesses to manage contacts.  Nonprofits can manage mailing lists, donor contact lists, grant lists, track funding and so much more.  If you aren't chosen to receive Salesforce for free, as a nonprofit you can continuously renew your 30 day trial for free (don't say it). It more than rivals Constant Contact and has great support.   

Twibbon

There's something about a social enterprise that features causes on Twitter and Facebook that makes my heart smile.  Twibbon allows individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations raise awareness for causes that are close to them.  The Twibbon weaves together a community of people using social media.  You can also raise awareness about political issues, brands, entertainment, etc.  There are 5 categories from which users can choose. I like that I can upload an image for my Twibbon or use one from Google (you have to try it out).  I can also edit the campaign and for $99 I can customize it.  For as low as $19.99, I can get it featured to where 15,000 people will see it (they have packages). If I were using this site for a nonprofit, a customized campaign may be worth it, but I'd probably use Salesforce Foundation's software to let current supporters know to support us here too. 

Facebook

I'm getting it out of the way.  I love the MaZuck (Mark Zuckerberg).  I know...you don't read that very often.  He's loyal (fired Sean Parker but "partnered" with Causes) and brilliant. I love a site where I can rent movies (thank you Warner Bros), learn (TED, almost every magazine, nonprofit and consultant under the sun), "like" myself, and interact with people from around the world.  I can fundraise (causes, pepsi, members project, toyota, chase, etc), gain supporters/volunteers and so much more just by spending a little bit of time every day (or once a month). The world really is a more social place...I can even RSVP for offline events and schedule appointments thanks to the Schedulicity FB app.  When I can read entire books (maybe a partnership with Borders is in order), I'll have hit my online heaven.   The power of Facebook is endless, especially for those who are savvy.