Ivanka Trump Joins Crowdfunding Efforts

Ivanka Trump is no stranger to crowdfunding.  She is one of many celebrity presenters that will be on hand for the annual Women Who Care luncheon to be held next month in New York.  The event is scheduled to take place on May 5^th at the iconic Cipriani on 42^nd Street.  Other presenters will include former president of Chile and CEO of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, Project Runway’s Camilla Burungi, actor and model Tyson Beckford, Nightline/Primetime anchor Cynthia McFadden, The Ropes star Timothy Mandala, Chuck star Robin Givens and Amazing Race winner Rachel Lehmkuhl.  Being honored at the event are Lauren Bush and Petra Nemcova.

Crowdfunding to Benefit United Cerebral Palsy of New York

The event will help to raise awareness and funds for the United Cerebral Palsy of New York.  UCP is one of the oldest charity organizations in the country dedicated to helping children with disabilities throughout the boroughs.  Currently UCP/NYC serves over 14,000 individuals and families via its 75+ programs.  According to the UPC website, the mission of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City is to “create opportunities for people with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.  UPC helps more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time.  UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities.  For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society.”

The ability to donate online is available at the UPC/NYC website.

Crowdfunding Through Celebrity Auctions

Crowdfunding through celebrity auctions is becoming increasingly popular as a way to raise a large amount of money without relying on a small number of generous philanthropists.  Celebrities from many different arenas including movies, music and sports are gathering together for a common cause.  One common cause is Play For Life – an organization that raises funds for cancer research.

Crowdfunding for Cancer

This year Play For Life has joined forces with City of Hope, an innovative global biomedical research, educational and treatment facility.  City of Hope is dedicated to finding a cure for cancer as well as raising awareness and promoting the prevention of cancer and similar life-threatening diseases.  The facility is known for its patient-centered philosophy.

Play For Life and City of Hope are holding a charity auction this spring to raise necessary funds for the facility.  Supporters of the charity organizations can help by making online donations as well as by bidding on some once in a lifetime experiences with famous musicians.  The recipient of the auction is City of Hope’s music therapy program.

Some of the artists participating in this year’s auction include:

Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Bret Michaels, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Enrique Iglesias, Lady Antebellum, Colbie Caillat, Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down. Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Rihanna, New Kids On The Block, Carrie Underwood and Barry Manilow. Those unable to make bids on the musical experiences may choose to donate online through the websites for Play For Life and/or City of Hope.

Crowdfunding Through Celebrity World Music

Crowdfunding News: People all over the world are getting together to do what they can for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  Many online charity organizations have been relying on crowdfunding and micro donations to help raise money for those affected by the natural disasters.  One of the most recent efforts made by world musicians is the release of a compilation album titled, “Songs for Japan.”  The album will include 38 hits and classic pieces by world artists such as Sting, Elton John, Shakira and John Lennon.

Crowdfunding With Music

Songs for Japan will be released as a digital album.  It will be available on iTunes worldwide for $9.99.  Proceeds from this crowdfunding project will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS).  The Red Cross will use the proceeds to provide immediate disaster relief for the victims of the disaster.

All of the artists whose work appears on the album have waived all royalties.  The music labels and publishers have followed suit so that the JRCS will receive as much money as possible.  iTunes will also donate all of the proceeds from the sale.

Some of the songs appearing on the album are:

John Lennon “Imagine,” Bob Dylan “Shelter From The Storm,” Justin Timberlake “Like I Love You,” Josh Groban “Awake,” Lady Antebellum “I Run To You,” Black Eyed Peas “One Tribe,” Foo Fighters “My Hero,” Elton John “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” John Mayer “Waiting On The World To Change” and Sting “Fragile.”

International crowdfunding projects like these will go a long way to providing funds for helping disaster relief efforts in Japan.

Olivia Harrison Turns to Crowdfunding Websites to Support World Causes

Crowdfunding websites are becoming increasingly important for organizations supporting world causes. Take for example Olivia Harrison’s plea to help the US Fund for UNICEF, a cause close to her heart. Olivia Harrison’s late husband, George Harrison, was a former member of the Beatles. Harrison was in charge of organizing the first of many grand scale benefit concerts featuring multiple artists. The concert, held in 1971, was given to help the people of Bangladesh after Tropical Cyclone Nora hit the area formerly known as East Pakistan. The Cyclone, in addition to the ongoing War of Liberation, devastated the country and more than 500,000 people lost their lives. Nora is still considered to be one of the worst natural disasters in history.

Olivia Harrison was joined in Bangladesh by US Fund for UNICEF CEO Caryl Stern. Stern and Harrison continue to raise awareness about natural disasters such as the one caused by Nora. It was important for Harrison and Stern to revisit the site and to recall the event with fond memories.

Crowdfunding Websites Help Out

While many people cannot simply leave their lives behind and head to the site of a natural disaster and help, it is quite easy to participate in a crowdfunding charity to help those left behind. Crowdfunding websites simply involve a group of people making individual or small donations to a charity. UNICEF, like many charities, offers people the opportunity to donate online and give to charity regardless of the dollar amount.

Geena Davis: Actress and Genius, Supports Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding News: Geena Davis, the actress and activist, is active in speaking out on equality for women and young girls.  She has most recently joined forces with a major micro lending site and the skin care giant Dermalogica, to launch a campaign to provide crowdfunding and micro lending to women in low-income regions of the U.S. and across 56 other countries.  Ms. Davis has said: “Together, we can maximize our effort to empower women and girls around the world.”  Dermalogica will donate $1 for every time a customer uses one of the company’s promotion codes to make an online donation to the campaign.

Crowdfunding Is Not Geena’s First Effort of Helping to Empower Women

As an actress, Ms. Davis is most recently known as President in the show Commander In Chief.  However, she is also known in Hollywood not only for her genius status with Mensa but her activities to further roles for women and young girls.  Geena founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, an organization dedicated to increasing the roles for girls and women in the media and decrease stereotyping of men and women, or boys and girls.  After founding the Institute, Ms. Davis created See Jane, which represents the programming arm of the Institute. Ms. Davis is also on the Board of Directors of The White House Project (TWHP).

Online Crowdfunding

Microgiving applauds Geena Davis and her crowdfunding accomplishments as an activist.  Like Ms. Davis, Microgiving is active in empowering the lives of others and encourages donors to help through micro charity and crowdfunding – visit our website today.

Crowdfunding Network Launched Exclusive to China

China now has an exclusive crowdfunding network. Launched by Grow VC in collaboration with local partner C2I Ventures, the network is aimed at entrepreneurs and startup businesses in their early stages. Along with funding options, the network will also provide expertise with startup infrastructure.

China Network Follows India Crowdfunding Network

The China launch follows on the heels of a similar July 2010 launch in India. In only a short time following its launch, the India network has garnered 1,000 members and the support of IndiaCo Ventures and The Indian Angel Network. The Indian network is still growing.

The China venture will follow the same development plan – to hook up with local angel funding networks and other investors. According to C2I Ventures, the funding network is looking for entrepreneurs with initiative and interest in creating a sustainable business. Many startups succeed not only as a result of funding and investment, but in the mentorship and development advice that is provided by the network partners. In some cases, network partners will fill board seats for interested startups.

Over the coming weeks, Grow China VC will be featured at events throughout China, such as the China Mega Forum and the China Mobile Developers Conference. Agreements reached over the next few months with new local network partners will ensure the program’s survival and growth.

Microgiving supports international efforts that provide help and direction to those with an entrepreneurial spirit. Microgiving is dedicated to helping that same entrepreneurial spirit across our communities. If you can work with Microgiving to support crowdfunding ventures – or the needy – as a donor, or you may benefit from our help as a recipient, please visit our website.