Mardi Gras Party!

January 25th, 2010

Micro Giving Foundation Mystery Mardi Gras Party Masquerade

Micro Giving Foundation Mystery Mardi Gras Party Masquerade

Celebrate Mardi Gras 2010 with MicroGiving! That’s right, the Micro Giving Foundation is throwing it’s first Mardi Gras party hosted by SFVIPs and in partnership with LivingFLA… and you’re invited!

MicroGiving’s Mystery Mardi Gras Masquerade party will be held February, 20th 2010 at a “mystery”, underground venue in Boca Raton. Kind of like an old school rave where you didn’t know until the day before! Yip yip yehaw! The venue and exact location of MicroGiving’s Mardi Gras party will be disclosed the night before on February 19th, 2010.

Join us for a night of Mardi Gras party Mayhem benefitting The Micro Giving Foundation. Tickets include FULL OPEN BAR for 3 hours, appetizers, DJ & dancing, casino tables, billiards, foosball and loads of Mardi Gras party fun! But act fast, the Mardi Gras party mystery venue is limited to 150 people, so reserve NOW!

Check out MicroGiving’s event page to learn more and purchase your Mardi Gras party tickets

See you there!

April Stewart
The MicroGiving Team

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Charity Spotlight: The APS Foundation of America

December 18th, 2009

APS Sydrome

In the recent passing of our dear friend Jason Strauss, MicroGiving would like to recognize a fantastic organization dedicated to the support, education and awareness of Lupus and related APS syndrome

The APS Foundation of America, Inc. is the only United States nonprofit health agency solely dedicated to bringing national awareness to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), the major cause of multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks.

aps-logo

1. In layman’s terms, what exactly is APS?

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a blood clotting disorder (thrombosis) related to lupus. Thrombosis blocks the arteries and veins and can cause major complications in pregnancy such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm delivery. APS is also referred to as Hugh’s Syndrome.

2. What does the APS Foundation of America support?

We educate the public– facilitating the latest information about APS and drawing national focus to an afflictive disease which is often overlooked. We also provide emotional support, medical council and suggest resources for individuals and families to turn to in time of need.

3. Roughly how many individuals and families are affected by Antiphospholipid Syndrome?

An estimated 1 - 5% has APS syndrome, or roughly 1 million people. APS is a major concern among women; roughly 75 - 90% of those affected by APS are female. Among those who are affected by Lupus, 40 - 50% of patients also have APS (most of which are not aware).

4. What are some of the symptoms associated with APS Syndrome?

The most common effects of APS  are blood clots which lead to miscarriages, DVT, strokes and heart attacks.

5. What is the APS Foundation of America’s vision for the next 5-10 years?

Our goal is to bring national attention to APS as a common factor in multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks.  This awareness is vital in order to bring a joint effort to research, funding, early detection, and eventually, prevention and cure for APS.

6. Can you share any accomplishments The APS Foundation has achieved?

We declared June as APS Awareness month (the date of our inauguration) and received recognition across 20 different states including Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (to name a few). We were also spotlighted on the Discovery Health Channel’s show ‘Mystery Diagnosis: Falling through the Cracks’. The show is now also aired on TLC. You can download the document on Itunes.

The APS Foundation of America is a volunteer run, community based, 501(c)3 non-profit Public Charity dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, support, public awareness, research and patient services for APS syndrome. To learn more about the APS Foundation of America, visit www.apsfa.org

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Friday Update: Payment System Notice

September 11th, 2009

Hey guys, hope you’re ready for a great weekend! So here’s the inside scoop…

Our payment system has been down for some time now (in case you haven’t heard). Originally, we were using Paypal to process donations made on our site. However, PayPal didn’t fancy us facilitating money on behalf of third parties. Conclusively, we are no longer able to use PayPal. In an effort to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, we applied to every money processor left, right and center including Google Checkout and PaySimple to name a few. Unfortunately, they closed the door in our face too!

As a temporary solution, we will accept checks made out to The MicroGiving Foundation and issue payouts immediately upon Donor request. We’re are continually working on a resolution, if you’ve got any suggestion feel free to drop us a message to support.

We promise to have this sorted as quickly as possible. Thanks for your understanding =)

Sincerely,

April Jasmine
The MicroGiving Team

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MicroGiving’s August Newsletter

September 4th, 2009

Hello wonderful members, it’s time to dish out this month’s newsletter! It’s been a tedious month for us, as we’ve been working hard to improve our site. We’ve been fixing a few glitches in our system, but we’re still going strong!!! In this edition we’re proud to feature:

  • Member Spotlight
  • Featured Quotes
  • Local Charity In The News
  • Advice To Make The Most Of MicroGiving

Member Spotlight

This month MicroGiving would like to feature one of our fantastic recipients– Dina Jacobs, who joined our community in December. She’s played an active role in our community for which we’d like to thank Dina.

  1. How do you feel about being a part of the MicroGiving community?

    So far everyone has been very friendly and helpful. I enjoy being a part of a situation that is not only about receiving, but giving as well.

  2. How do the other members make you feel?

    Have they offered you emotional support or ideas to help you raise funds on your own?It’s nice to know that I am not the only one trying to keep my head above water during these hard economic times. I have felt supported by the Microgiving community every step of the way.

  3. If you had a friend in a similar situation as yours, would you recommend MicroGiving? Why or why not?

    Yes, definitely! I believe everyone deserves a chance to reach their financial goals no matter how big or small, and Microgiving offers an opportunity to attain such goals.

Thanks, Dina!

Featured Quotes From Our Members

“Since Finding MG I was able to keep my car and finish out the semester. Not only did this site help me financially but emotionally when my Mother was in the hospital and I was scared of losing her. The support the members gave me kept me sane and gave me hope I made a promise to give back as soon as I am on my feet. I will keep that promise and am excited to help someone as MG has helped me.” -Erica

“MicroGiving gave my family hope when we least expected it– the people are caring and compassionate. MicroGiving is more than an extra hand, it’s an emotional refuge!” -Linda

“Thank you MicroGiving for helping me with the gift of site! If not for the generosity of the members of MicroGiving, I would not have been able to get my eye exam!  I’ve also signed up as a donor and have been able to help in very tiny amounts! God willing, I will be able to help out more in the near future! I am still fairly new to your site but I’m starting to feel like it is “home”. I have some friendships that are starting to grow!” -Tammy Lynne

“Life felt unbearable until I found MicroGiving. I felt lost and nowhere to turn, but MicroGiving helped me get through a rough time in life. Strangers reached out and helped me just when I needed it the most.” -David

Charity In The News

Helping Hands, a non-profit charity, located right around the corner from MicroGiving’s headquarters recently experienced a damaging fire. The fire is suspected to be an act of arson. Reports that the fire started in a clothing closet and witnesses report having observed an unidentified vehicle parked close by which disappeared after the fire. However suspicions have yet to be confirmed by authorities and the investigation continues.

Hats off to our local community who responded immediately and donated 10 computers and workstations to assist Helping Hands, and the support of St. Andrews School who came to their side to clean up the mess after the fire.

MicroGiving would like to recognize Helping Hands and encourage our members to lend a “hand” in whatever way you can.

Advice To Make The Most Of Microgiving

To make the most of our fundraising tool, we encourage you to get out there and network with your friends and family. Don’t sit back and expect the world to know you exist… introduce yourself and voice your cause! The internet is the most effective place to get your message across to a large volume of people.  Take advantage of the powerful voice of social media to spread news about your cause!

That’s it for August. Looking forward to a new month and new opportunities to show the world we care!

Yours truly,
The MicroGiving Team

Send us your stories

MicroGiving is always looking for fresh inspiration! Got a success story you’d like to share? Has a particular person on the MicroGiving site made you feel special? Do you know of anyone in your community doing something cool to make a difference? Email support@microgiving.com and tell us!

Tell a friend!

If you love MicroGiving, the best way to support us is by spreading the word! Tell your friends, family and community about us. Display MicroGiving’s banner on your Myspace and Facebook profile. Don’t have a MicroGiving banner? Email support@microgiving.com and we’ll gladly give you one! Interested in learning more about ways you can support our mission? Contact us, we’d love to hear from you!

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How To Write A Great Profile Headline

August 31st, 2009

The internet consists of an infinite number of websites and web pages all competing against one another for attention. Your headline is one of the most important ways to attract interest and inspire visitors to give your profile page the time of day. Here are a few tips to help you create a great profile headline!

Make it unique

There are hundreds of people who have needs just like you. Consider what makes your situation unique and different from all the rest. For example, let’s say you recently lost your job. Being laid off work is not enough to compel interest as many people lose their job. However, let’s say you recently lost your job just in time for an unexpected emergency that knocked your socks off! A bad headline would sound something like this “Lost my job, need help”. A unique headline would sound something like this “Lost job in time for sudden medical emergency, drowning under bills”.

Make it memorable

Incorporate personality and flavor into your profile headline. Give your profile headline a voice! Here’s a great example of an impactful headline that one of our members uses: “Sometimes you give a little, sometimes you need a little”!

Be descriptive

The purpose of your headline is to communicate the nature of your profile. Avoid being ambiguous about your need such as, “Desperately in need of help?” Help for what? Be specific about your situation. For example, “Single mother of three boys recently lost job”, or “Unexpected medical emergency, now struggling to make ends meet”

Your headline can either make or break the success of your profile. Make sure your profile headline is different, catchy and provides enough information to visitors about the nature of your need. For more profile tips  be sure to check out our previous post, The Power of Pictures!

Do you have any creative suggestions? We’d love to hear from you… please share your brainstorming ideas here!

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Charity Spotlight: Independence Heights

August 28th, 2009

independence-heights1Three years ago a group of families joined together and started Independence Heights, a grass roots organization dedicated to helping young adults with developmental disabilities to become fully integrated members of the community. Independence Heights is dedicated to improving the future for young adults with developmental disabilities(DD) by helping them to access supported living and employment within their community and in a setting of their choice. They are bringing  families together with one common goal, to make their loved one as independent as possible.


What made you decide to put a Charity request on MicroGiving?

I needed a way to raise awareness and funds to help people with developmental disabilities.

How do you feel about being a part of the MicroGiving community?

Being part of microGiving has opened a door for me to meet people who care about others and who are willing to help people in neeed.

How have other members responded to your Charity?

People have been very supportive and encouraging to my organization! I’ve received a very positive response online.

How is MicroGiving different than other online fund raising websites?

Microgiving puts me in touch with people who would not otherwise know about the needs of people with developmental disabilities. I can access a larger pool of people over the internet.

How is MicroGiving different than local (in person) fund raising?

Donors on this site came here to share knowing that even if they can only give $1 it will be appreciated.

How do you feel about the verification level program?

The verification levels create an opportunity for people to give with confidence and know that the money goes directly to cause that they intended it for, not a scammer or to pay overheads and advertising costs to a large charity.

Was it difficult for you to reach the highest and most successful level?

Yes, I had some difficult achieving the highest level.

If you found difficulty please explain why you are (or were) having trouble and what the team did to help you successfully reach the fully verified status.

I couldn’t figure out how to enter things on the website. Thank you Michelle for helping me to get through this process.

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Profile Tips - Power of Pictures

August 24th, 2009

We noticed that many of our members fail to take advantage of their photo album. Pictures are your most powerful asset and can speak volumes more than anything you write on your profile. Why are pictures so powerful? Pictures are great because they’re engaging and they put a real human face to your profile. Donors in particular want to feel as though they are connecting with a real human being, not a computer screen. In fact, we’ve found from experience that Recipients who post pictures on their profile are 100% more successful at fund raising than those who do not post any pictures. Here are a few tips to consider when uploading photos to the media section in your profile:

1. Post clear pictures

There’s nothing worse than a blurry profile picture! Make sure that your profile picture is clear and you can be easily identified. Avoid using pictures that have been taken too far away, or where your back is to the camera, or even worse… half your face is missing from the picture altogether!

2. Avoid posting pictures of inanimate objects, scenery, or logos

Objects, scenic landscapes and/or logos are very impersonal. People can’t connect or relate to pictures such as these. Avoid them at all costs. Donors want to connect with real people, not a scenic pond or Pizza Hut!

3. Post tasteful pictures

Select your profile pictures carefully. The pictures you choose to share with the community can seriously make or break your chances of successfully fund raising. Consider what your profile pictures communicate. Donors are less likely to donate to a Recipient who does not take their profile pictures seriously. The best types of photos are family-centric and communicate sympathy. Often the best pictures conjure up feelings of emotion such as a photo of the whole family together including Rover!

4. Post lots of pictures!

The more pictures you post of yourself and family, the more insight you provide viewers. When Donors can view pictures of your whole family, your trip to the Grand Canyon, your son’s 2 year birthday and last year’s Memorial Day picnic with Aunt Sue… they feel as though they know you better. Pictures really do speak a thousand words!

We’d love to hear from you, what are some other tips to improve your profile?

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Funtastic Friday Updates!

August 21st, 2009

Hello fantastic members,

 

A few friendly updates! We’re pleased to announce a few exciting initiatives to take place in the coming weeks ahead of us. Firstly, our team has been working on optimizing our website to increase our visibility in search engines. As of right now, we’re not ranking when people search for charities in engines like Google and Yahoo. Our expert team is making improvements to increase our position so that more people will find us. What does that mean exactly? Well, exposure in search engines will bring more traffic to our community!

 

Also, the development team has improved our internal search system so that all Level 3 Recipients are displayed first.  Previously, when Donors searched for Recipients they came across a good number of blank or incomplete profiles. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to complete your profile and send us your supporting documents for verification.

 

Regarding payouts, we are still issuing checks to those of you who have asked to withdraw your donations. We encourage you to make sure your mailing address is correct. If you have recently changed your address, you can change this information from your account settings. We are still toiling away at getting a new system in place. Please know we are working very hard and our team has put in many late hours to resolve a new system.

 

Lastly, the MicroGiving team wants you to know…we care about you and our community very much. We’re working hard to improve your experience with MicroGiving. If you ever have any questions or concerns, shoot us an email… we’d love to hear from you =)

 

Cheers!

The MicroGiving Team

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Recipient Spotlight: Randy Manaigre

August 17th, 2009

randy-manaigre

Every now and then we like to get feedback from our outstanding members. MicroGiving would like to acknowledge one of our fantastic recipients, Randy Manaigre for his involvement and support within the MicroGiving community!

1. What made you decide to put a request on MicroGiving?

After years of identifying my medical issues and trying to research a resolution to my challenges, and realizing that the least intrusive medical procedure for me, was Laser(Laser Spine Insititute, Tamapa, Florida, I need financial help and started to research what was out there in the web-world and I found MicroGiving. Being cautious, I researched your site and was impressed and amazed at the entry process and the whole concept.

2. How do you feel about being a part of the MicroGiving community?
Being part of the MicroGiving Community is empowering, especially when you have no means for help.

3. How do the other members make you feel? Have they offered you emotional support or ideas to help you raise funds on your own?
The other members are amazing! The important aspect is, regardless of our needs, we all share the same commonality… we need help.

4. If you had a friend in a similar situation as yours, would you recommend MicroGiving? Why or why not?
I would highly recommend any friend/person in need to MicroGiving because they provide a great way for people in need to acquire assistance. In addition, the verification process is impressive, thus reducing false applications.

5. How is MicroGiving different than other online fund raising websites?
MicroGiving does the background checks, thus giving donors a peace of mind that the donations will be used for a real person in need.

6. How is MicroGiving different than local (in person) fund raising?
MicroGiving connects donors and recipients world-wide, allowing donors to give to anyone from any place in the world. Plus, MicroGiving allows donors to choose exactly who they believe has the greatest need. They present a world without boundaries - making the whole process amazing in helping those in need anywhere. This improves the success of the need being met faster and changes the term “community” to be the whole planet… amazing.

7. MicroGiving is serious about helping only those who truly need help, how do you feel about the verification level program?
I was impressed with the process and documentation to become verified… MicroGiving leaves ‘no stone unturned’ to verify and confirm recipients with real needs.

8. Was it difficult for you to reach the highest and most successful level?
Reaching the highest level does take great effort and requires recipients to provide a lot of supporting documents. However, once those supporting documents are submitted, MicroGiving verifies and confirms the highest level to valid recipients . The effort is well worth it.

8A. If you had difficulty during the verification process, please explain why you are (or were) having trouble and what the team did to help you successfully reach the fully verified status.
In my process of applying to be verified and reaching the highest level - a learning curve was evident on my part. All my questions were answered quickly and in a clear manner. This allowed me to respond with the required documentation via mail/post.

9. Have you visited the forums?
Yes I have visited the forum and have commented to many members, as they have with me.

9A. If yes, what brought you to the forum?
Once again - it is the commonality that we all have; both in finding that we need to reach out for help and supporting each other in this process. Asking for help has always been a challenge for me. I am used to helping/giving, not receiving.

9B. Did the forum meet your expectations?
Yes, the forum met my expectations and more. Members are amazing and the honesty and comments to each other bring us all closer together, regardless of where we live.

10. Are you using the journal to keep donors informed of your progress?
I have used the journal. I sometimes feel that I do not have much to say - my physical condition is what it is and I do not want be perceived as a whiner. I believe in addressing the challenges in my life and moving on. Once my goal is achieved and my surgery is complete, I will have a lot to tell in my journal about the medical process and my improved state of physical health and quality of life.

10A. If yes, do you feel it’s a valuable tool to help donors decide whether or not to give you some help?
I am sure donors like to read the journal, but I also believed that they realize we all have basic activities in daily living that we all must do(regardless of one’s abilities). I think and feel that to write down daily factual information would be too much information - I believe in writing in my journal when something either positive or negative occurs in my life. While it’s important to keep Donors posted about any progress in your life, they do not have time to read excessive information..keep it simple.

10B. If no, what do you think would make a good way to keep donors informed of your progress?
The journal is fine as it is, donors can read about my progress. I would not change anything. Unless you wanted to ad a private section that Donors could submit to and recipients could only access..sort of a one to one private avenue for this new connection to each other.

Thank you John, Michelle and the MicroGiving Team.

Yours truly,
Randy Manaigre

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Funtastic Friday Updates

August 14th, 2009

Happy Friday everyone! Just a few updates to finish off the week! First, the development team has been working on a few exciting design changes. In an effort to improve your experience, our team has pinpointed a few areas that will make it easier for you to navigate and use the site. If anyone has any suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Your voice makes it a heck of a lot easier for us to identify ways we can improve, so don’t be shy!

Some of you have voiced difficulty in posting pictures on their profile. To upload a photo, simply go to the [Profile] tab located in your account, and click on the [My Media] tab. There you will see the option to upload your picture from a folder stored on your computer. Don’t forget to check the box next to each image that is labeled [share] so other can see your pictures.

Also, for those of you who have recently joined our community… don’t forget to send in your supporting documents. In order to verify your request, you need to send us proof that your need is in fact legit! If you have questions about your supporting documents you can always shoot us a message at support! Or check out our helpful FAQ section.

That’s all kids, have a great weekend =)

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7 Healthy Foods For Under $1

August 12th, 2009

by Becky (aka. Rayhawk)

We’re all trying to budget frugally these days, but sometimes it’s tough to budget and eat healthy at the same time. Your grocery bill can get expensive if you’re thoughtless when you grocery shop. In other words, the more thought you put into the dietary needs of each family member, the less you will actually spend in the end.

In fact, when you begin to consider the needs of each person in your family you’re likely to find that many items are either unnecessary or just plain unhealthy. For example, many families spend large amounts of money on meats. Reducing your meat to very small portions is not unhealthy. The recommended daily allowance of meat intake is no more than 3 oz – the size of a woman’s palm. Moreover, you’d be surprised how cheap healthy food can be when you do the math. Here is a list of 7 healthy foods for under $1:

Rice . Rice is the most consumed food item in the world. Rice is the staple food for many countries and brown rice in particular retains a lot of nutritional value! At a mere 3 to 4 cents per oz. you have yourself the foundation of a great healthy meal.

Oatmeal. There are great health benefits in oatmeal. Oatmeal is high in dietary fiber and is proven to lower cholesterol while optimizing your cardiovascular health as well. At a mere 42 cents a pound, you have yourself a great breakfast to kick start your day.

Potatoes. High in fiber and low and other essential nutrients, potatoes are a great staple to any diet. However, avoid the globs of sour cream and bacon bits! Potatoes market around 40 to 60 cents per pound.

Eggs. Great source of protein and makes for a healthy breakfast for a mere 20 cents or less per egg.

Popcorn. Low in calories and fat, popcorn makes for a great snack food. Loose kernels cost about 75 cents per pound making it one of the most affordable food items

Apples. These guys are loaded with antioxidants and are proven to reduce the chances of cancer. Apples can be purchased for around 70 to 80 cents per pound.

Lentils. Another great source of protein, one cup supplements more than a third of your recommended daily intake and can be purchased for around 90 cents per pound.

Be conscience of the actually dietary requirements of your family when it comes to grocery shopping. Cut back on the consumption of meats and focus on these items to meet the needs of your family and your budget!

Would love your feedback…

  • What are some other cheap grocery items?
  • What are ways that you cut down your grocery bill?

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Posted in Financial & Budget, Tips & Advice | 3 Comments »

Mallory’s Story

August 10th, 2009
Mallory Clark

Mallory Clark

Mallory Clark was diagnosed with severe epilepsy and will undergo brain surgery by the end of the year. Staci Davis joined MicroGiving on behalf of her best friend Mallory in an effort to raise money for her family, as the procedure will cost them thousands of dollars for which they cannot afford. Unfortunately for the Clark family, Mallory’s insurance company refuses to pay the cost of the treatment as her epilepsy is a pre-existing condition.

Mallory continues to experience traumatic seizures which are significantly affecting her quality of life. She has at least one grand mal seizure a week and everyday continues to experience mini seizures which affect her speech and comprehension. She is now unable to drive, take a shower, sleep properly, or enjoy what every young person deserves to enjoy such as many extracurricular activities like sports, the movies and theme parks. Your support will keep Mallory’s family afloat as they are already in debt with Mallory’s previous medical expenses.

“The Clark’s lost their home over a year ago because of all the bills and being unable to make their house payments. They had to file bankruptcy and now have to rent a small home. If I can help make their lives even a little bit better by raising a small amount of money for them… my effort here will be worthwhile. Thank you sincerely in advance” -Staci Davis

All donations raised will go directly to the Clark family and help Mallory restore her life and youth again.

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Funtastic Friday Updates

August 7th, 2009

Happy Friday everyone! Just touching base regarding a few things in our community:

Firstly, we’d like to thank all of you who have responded to our profile tips. We’re noticing that many of you are posting pictures, updating your biographies, changing your headlines and completing your requests! Nice turn around peoples, nice! Our site is slowly coming together with your help. By ensuring that your profile is completed, you help us make our site more appealing to newcomers.

Secondly, you may notice that every month we feature three new members on our home page. We choose these guys specifically because they’ve done an excellent job on their profile and detailing a clear and to-the-point Request. If you’d like to see yourself on the front page of MicroGiving - make sure that you send in your supporting docs, that your documents support the Request you make, upload a nice, smiling mug shot of yourself (or your family if you prefer), include lots of great pictures in your photo album, complete your bios, and be sure to include a catchy headline!

Thirdly, we’d like to congratulate Rayhawk one last time. Rayhawk is our latest addition to the MicroGiving Team. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to read our Newsletter posted last Wednesday - Rayhawk is our Official Community Leader. You can go to Rayhawk with questions, concerns, or any suggestions that you have. We’re very pleased to have her officially aboard =)

Fourthly, we realize some of you are having difficulty knowing what to send us regarding your supporting docs. All we need are items that can prove your need is legit! For example, if you have a medical expense… send us a letter from your doctor verifying your medical need. If your roof is leaking, send us pictures of the damage. Everything you need to know is detailed in our FAQ section, which we encourage you to read. To learn more about the kinds of documents to send us, check out our FAQ!

Last, we’re putting together a testimonials page. If you’d like to be included drop us a message at support and tell us why you love MicroGiving!

That’s it for now… have a smashing weekend, but don’t get too wild and crazy!

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The Gorzkowski Story

August 6th, 2009

Gorzkowski Family

MicroGiving would like to recognize the Gorzkowski family. They are new to the Microgiving so be sure to drop by their profile and give them a warm welcome!

Paul is the father of two children (sons) ages 12 and 14. Along with his wife, the four live in a 1974 two bedroom single wide trailer. After Paul and his wife and lost their jobs in 2008 due to the economy, whey were unable to get the money to pay to fix the leaking roof, the rotting floors and drafty windows of their home.

Paul’s children share an 8 foot by 8 foot bedroom just big enough for a set of bunk beds. Although they receive a little assistance from Social Services, it does not cover home repairs.

“Before my wife and I lost our jobs, we had financed a vehicle, which has now demolished our credit ratings and in return has caused us the burden of not being able to apply for loans.”

Please welcome Paul and his family. MicroGiving is proud of the support that is shared among our community!

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MicroGiving’s August News

August 5th, 2009

Hello MicroGivers,

Welcome to the August edition of MicroGiving’s smashing newsletter delivered fresh and piping hot monthly. Here’s a quick update to keep you posted on some exciting highlights:

  1. MicroGiving Welcomes New Members
  2. Newest Addition To The MicroGiving Team
  3. Stories In The News
  4. Member Concerns
  5. Tips For Success

1. MicroGiving Welcomes New Members

This month MicroGiving experienced an influx of new members joining our community. We’ve noticed a lot of friendly chatter and warm welcomes buzzing around. The MicroGiving Team would like to thank our community members for your kind and friendly involvement in our community. During these hard economic times, a few words of encouragement towards someone hurting can go a long way!

2. Newest Addition To The MicroGiving Team

rayhawk-profile-pic

MicroGiving is proud to introduce our Official Community Leader. Congratulations to Becky Raymond (aka. Rayhawk), as she will be joining the MicroGiving Team moving forward! We decided to bring Becky on board with us for several reasons. Firstly, Becky has been the backbone behind many of the communications with our Recipients. She’s incredibly informational and resourceful, and has kept our community together in that capacity. Moreover, Becky is an exceedingly hard worker, quickly responsive to communications, efficient in her work and has a heart the size of MicroGiving! If you have any questions or concerns, Becky is the go to gal!

3. Stories In The News

For your entertainment, we thought we’d share a cool story we came across in the news:

Larry “Curly” Haubner, a 107 year old man nearly lost his home until the kindness of strangers came to his rescue. Larry has lived through many exciting times, however on his 107th birthday he outlived his savings and could no longer afford to continue paying for his assisted living facility. If not for the kindness of caring people, Larry would have been homeless. A local campaign came to Haubner’s aid and raised over $56,000 in donations. Contributions ranged from as little as $2 to over $1,200. Mark Ellmore, a candidate running for U.S. Congressman in Virginia’s 8th District stated praised the generosity of people who came to Haubner’s rescue despite present economic difficulties. To read the full story click here.

4. Member Concerns

Many of you have voiced concerns regarding your Supporting Documents. Why is it that MicroGiving requires all Recipients to mail in their Support Docs, rather than email or fax? Isn’t email or fax quicker and more efficient for all of us?

This is something we have struggled with for some time now. Obviously, scanning and faxing the documents is a lot easier than mail them for both the recipient and the MicroGiving Team. The problem was many recipients were having trouble scanning them, posting too much information as well, and sending us illegible and blurry documents that we could not read. In short, they made the site look bad and only hurt recipients.

As far as faxing documents to the team - while it seems convenient for everyone, it caused more problems than solutions. Again we ran into the problem of illegible documents. Recipients were faxing blurry docs that we could not identify properly. Moreover, many Recipients claimed they were sending more than we received and blaming us for “losing” their documents where we never received them in the first place.

In short, all of the above caused many headaches for the team, didn’t help verify anyone’s cause and took up way too much time. We were spending so much time on documents that we weren’t able to focus on what was important – promoting MicroGiving and reaching out to more donors!

5. Tips For Success

Over the years, we’ve found that many new members who join the community are a bit lost when it comes to ”packaging” their profile into an award-winning promotional piece! So we put together a list of tips and advice to help you improve your profile and increase your chances of reaching your fundraising goal.

The most common mistake that many make is simply failing to upload a nice photograph. Pictures really are worth a thousand words! We’ve found that Recipients who have a nice picture of themself and/or their family are generally more successful. The fact is, you only have a few seconds to capture a Donors attention on the internet so its important that you put your best foot forward! This starts with a great picture. Make sure the picture you post is a clear and visible shot of yourself and/or your family. The best profile pictures are heartfelt and communicate the personal side of you. Remember, first impressions are imperative to success!

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Posted in Updates, news | 4 Comments »

How To Reduce Your Electricity Bill

August 5th, 2009

Electricity is one utility we often take for granted and it’s one bill that tends to keep rising! However, it’s actually easy to reduce electric costs. It’s more of a behavioral modification than anything. Learning to use manual tools in place of electric tools is a matter of asking “how did they do this before homes had electricity?”. The fact is, people managed quite well before homes were equipped with the amenities we take for granted. Even today many live willingly without electricity and get along just fine. Here are some tips to help you save on unnecessary electricity expenses:

  • Box up electric items you don’t absolutely need like can openers, blenders, etc
  • Turn your water heater on low – this can save a lot of money at the end of the day
  • Use oil lamps or candles more often. Candles make for a great atmospheric dinner!
  • If possible, invest in motion sensing switches or light bulbs to ensure lights are not on longer than they need to be
  • Line dry your clothes outside. If you live in an apartment I suggest getting a clothes rack and drying them in your bath tub
  • Tell your teenage daughter to spend less time in the bathroom blow drying her hair!
  • Program your thermostat to run at intervals, or turn off when you are away at work. According to energystar.gov you could save yourself around $180 per year
  • Keep your air conditioning filters clean as dirt and dust can prevent proper air flow
  • Switch your light bulbs. Changing to a 19-watt CFL bulb can save you $30 a year (energystar.gov)
  • Close your curtains to keep the sunlight from heating up your room
  • Unplug electrical gadgets in your house when not in use such as your microwave, toaster, and even cell phone charger. These items consume energy and generate heat even when they are not being used

As we all struggle to make ends meet these days, cutting the cost of your electricity will free up some much needed money! What do you do to cut costs around the house?

Special thanks to Becky (aka. Rayhawk) for contributing this post!

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Posted in Tips & Advice, Updates | 3 Comments »

How To Give Online Wisely

August 3rd, 2009

Budget specifically for online giving

Set aside a small amount of money monthly or bimonthly exclusively to give online. You don’t have to give much, the beauty of sites like MicroGiving is you can give any amount that fits within your means.

Be informed before you give online

Ask questions. Lots of questions. The more informed you are about where your online contributions are actually going, the more secure you will feel about giving online. Only give online if you feel comfortable and secure that your donations are going to the right cause.

Keep records of your online gifts

Be sure to retain your online giving records for tax purposes. If the organization you donate to is 501c3 tax deductible, you will be able to claim tax benefits if you supply the IRS with the right documentation. 

Consider if your company matches online gifts

Some employers will consider matching your donation amount. Ask your company if they will make an online contribution towards your cause.

Give online confidentially

Most charities respect your privacy and will allow you to give online anonymously. If you feel hesitant to give online, contact the organization and request to have your identity kept private.

Be proactive when you give online

Notify the organization to which you give online that you’d like your donation to start making a difference today. Don’t sit back, take control and consider ways that your online gift can help your community now.

 

What do you feel are important considerations when you give online?

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Posted in Tips & Advice | 2 Comments »

Profile Mistakes To Avoid

July 29th, 2009

First impressions are vital to successful fundraising. You’ve only got a few seconds to catch a Donor’s attention. Make sure you avoid these common mistakes:

>Avoid sloppy, long, desperate sounding requests

Keep the request section of your profile short, clear and concise. It’s important to remember that you only have a few seconds to catch a donor’s attention. When editing your profile keep in mind donors want to know what happened and what you need, cut out all the fluff and keep it simple :)

>Avoid using an impersonal profile name

From experience we’ve found that real names are more effective than impersonal nicknames. Real names encourage Donors by making them feel as though they are donating to a real person

>Avoid a common or desperate sounding headline

Your headline is a hook that captures attention and draws people into your profile, so make it catchy. Avoid desperate pleas and begging for help!

>Avoid generic profile pictures

Photos should be of yourself and/or family. Avoid using pictures of inanimate objects, animals or logos etc. Remember the more pictures the better! Don’t forget, Donors prefer to feel as though they are connecting with a real human being

>Avoid a long and rambling Biography

Your biography is a description or account of your life which include aspects of your life experiences, personality, work, education and family. Don’t go overboard on your biography. Provide enough information so that readers have a general idea of who you are. Make sure you check for spelling and grammatical errors! Sloppy biographies are annoying and often dismissed by readers!

>Avoid spelling and grammatical errors

Carefully proof read your biography, story and request section. Errors are distracting and Donors are far less likely to read poorly written profiles. Moreover, sloppy profiles turn Donors away.

We’d love your feedback!

  • What are some ways that you can improve your profile and stand out to Donors?

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Posted in Tips & Advice | 9 Comments »

BambiRoo’s Story

July 27th, 2009
Help Bambi!

Help Bambi!

Once upon a time there was a sweet little Italian greyhound by which they called BambiRoo. From the early beginnings, little BambiRoo had a troublesome puppihood. You see, Bambi had a small accident one day at the puppy pet shop. Too much frolic and play with the other puppies led to the injury of poor little Bambi’s foot! The injury could have quite naturally been remedied with a band aid and a kiss or two. However the evil pet shop owners chose to ignore Bambi’s injury as the price of band aids and kisses is too expensive these days.

One afternoon a kind and loving family came into the evil pet shop and fell in love with BambiRoo at first site. Unbeknown of Bambi’s injury, arrangements were made and little BambiRoo was warmly introduced to her brand new home.

Bambi loved her new home! In fact, she was elated to run free, chase cats, and eat socks! Back at the evil pet shop she was unable to do these wonderful things from the confinements of her cage.

However, it wasn’t long before Bambi’s injury worsened. Flabbergasted, her loving caretakers took little Bambi to the veterinarian. Here the awful truth finally came to light! Bambi’s injury occurred weeks prior to her purchase from the pet store!

Upset by this news (and rightly so), Bambi’s owners approached the pet store and asked them kindly to compensate for the pricey veterinarian treatment. To much dismay however the pet shop owners would have no part - leaving Bambi’s owners in a terrible financial hick up.

So goes the story of poor little BambiRoo! But the story doesn’t end, with your loving kindness you can help Bambi continue to get the treatment she deserved a long time ago!

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Posted in Featured Profiles | 5 Comments »

How To Promote Yourself

July 24th, 2009

The internet is the most powerful and cost efficient way to promote yourself and reach a global audience. Self-promotion is imperative to fundraising success, because if you don’t tell the world that you exist - how will people know about your cause?  Here are a few ways you can promote yourself online:

Share your profile link

Your profile link is an important tool which can tremendously help you promote yourself and increase your profile’s visibility over the web. Your profile link is like your personal address on the internet where others can locate and find you. Make sure you include your MicroGiving profile link on every social networking site you frequent like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn. It’s also a good idea to include your profile link in your email signature and any communication you have with others online. Remember, every time you share your profile link over the web you increase your exposure and essentially promote yourself that much more.

Be blatant, be bold

Get out there and tell people exactly who you are and what you’re fundraising for. Don’t be shy, be shamelessly apparent about your fundraising cause. I’ve never heard of anyone being successful at promoting themself and fundraising who didn’t proactively take the initiative to make themself known to the world.

Target people who care

Don’t waste your breath preaching to the dead, target the people who are likely to listen to you and your fundraising cause. First contact the people in your inner circle such as friends, family and neighbors. These prime prospects are perfect because they know you. Also consider charity blogs, forums and websites. Go where the charitable people go and network baby, network!!!

Have an elevator pitch

Having an elevator pitch is imperative, especially on the web! People are not going to read through a 5 paragraph essay all about you! Keep your speech short, sweet and simple; you are far more likely to catch someone’s interest without flooding them with an epilogue. Create a few key sentences that tell people 1) Who you are 2) Why you’re fundraising 3) How their support will help.

Start a blog

Here you can tell people more about your fundraising mission. A blog is a great way to promote yourself and tell the world about your fundraising cause. A blog is like your online journal that allows you to express yourself and share anything and everything about your life.  The internet can be very impersonal, therefore blogs are a great way to show the world your personal side. There are a number of sites on the internet that allow you to create a personal profile and setup your own blog. The most popular blog sites as of now are Wordpress and Blogger.

Successful people are proactive. Don’t think that having a mere fundraising profile will award you with overnight donations. Your profile is a fundraising tool that gives others the resource to donate to your cause, but in order to be successful you need to take initiative and spread awareness!

Hope you find these tips helpful! Thanks for reading…

Cheers,
April

We would love to hear from you…

  • What are some ways that you promote yourself?
  • What tips and advice would you share with people who are new to online fundraising?

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Posted in Fundraising | 13 Comments »

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