MicroGiving founder John Ferber stars on Secret Millionaire
Secret Millionaire John Ferber
MicroGiving founder, John Ferber
Our very own John Ferber, founder of MicroGiving, will be starring on ABC’s Secret Millionaire this Sunday, March 27th at 8:00pm / 7:00pm central! The reality television show is a series whereby secret millionaires disguise themselves and venture into impoverished communities only to donate thousands of dollars to unsuspecting recipients at the end of the show.
We did a quick Q&A with John to find out a bit more about his compassionate side…
Q&A with John Ferber, ABC Secret Millionaire
How did you become a Millionaire?
My brother Scott and I sold our company Advertising.com to AOL for $500 million dollars when I was 30 years old. This has afforded me the opportunity to give philanthropically and lend way to my charity organization, The MicroGiving Foundation, www.microgiving.com.
My success has also privileged me the opportunity to participate on ABC’s Secret Millionaire. I hope my involvement on the show will inspire others to get involved too and bless the lives of people in need.
What inspired you to become a philanthropist?
Once the smoke cleared from the company sale, I realized that helping other people made me feel great, while at the same time benefiting others. I’ve since dedicated a good portion of my life trying to figure out ways to help humanity in a grander scale which is why I founded MicroGiving.com– a place where anyone can raise money for anything and give a percent forward to charity or a struggling individual or family in need.
Describe your experience on ABC Secret Millionaire?
Recently I was asked to participate in a documentary style show for ABC’s Secret Millionaire. I decided to leave the comforts of my home and lifestyle for an opportunity to help others on a scale I hadn’t contemplated before. Relinquishing all control over my own life and putting my faith into ABC, I suddenly found myself in the epicenter of the largest homeless population in the USA.
What was it like living on $40 a week?
It was a small sacrifice that gave me a much greater return. The Secret Millionaire show gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to embed myself into the community and find great people doing extraordinary things in their community that completely opened my eyes to the power of hope and the belief that hard work can make a positive change in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone who wants to become involved in helping people in need?
Yes! My charity, MicroGiving.com, is a great way to directly help people in need. I created MicroGiving so people could raise money for themselves through friends and family, and give back to others, completing the giving circle! You can learn more at www.microgiving.com.
*We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts on this page!
28. March 2011 at 1:55 am :
The encouragement you gave these men and women was amazing John. And I must say that the insight that you gained because of these same men and women could be seen in your eyes and emotions. Wonderful show, kuddos to you and to Microgiving.
28. March 2011 at 4:09 am :
My heart was torn and eyes full of tears, when I watched your show on Sunday March 27th.
It is wonderful to see there are selfless people out there that have Huge Hearts such as John’s.
You don’t know what suffering is unless you have suffered.
God Bless you John, for realizing that there is suffering out there and you had chosen to make a difference in the world.
Mary
Canada
30. March 2011 at 2:05 am :
I liked the show a lot, it was very eye opening to watch. John you were one of the most generous millionaires I’ve seen be on the show. Two families got their own places after living in a shelter house and Amin was such an amazing guy to give his own time and his own shoes to those in need. That was a really dangerous area too, You see the line John and the documentary crew have to walk, in one way they have to portray the poverty and homelessness, but at the same time try not to invade their privacy. I thought John was very brave and non-judgemental and just tried to relate to them all on a human level, with empathy and kindness, because of that people opened up to him and it was very rewarding to watch, hope this inspires others to give.