This is not exactly an underpublished non-profit, but perhaps one overdue for mention here.
The ONE Campaign is an effort by Americans to rally Americans – one by one – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is students and ministers, punk rockers and NASCAR moms, Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life, united to help make poverty history.
The ONE Campaign derives its name from the belief that allocating an additional one percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries. We also call for debt cancellation, trade reform and anti–corruption measures in a comprehensive package to help Africa and the poorest nations beat AIDS and extreme poverty.
The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining the ONE Campaign and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.
Here's what to do:
1. Sign the Declaration
Take ONE minute today to sign the ONE declaration and lend us your voice in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty.
2. Email A Friend
Send a friend an email and encourage them to sign the One Declaration!
3. Wear the Wristband
Wear the white band and show your support for the ONE Campaign and the fight against global AIDS and poverty. Worn by teachers, doctors, and homemakers. You've seen them in the pages of People and US Weekly on your favorite stars, get your band now! The white bands are part of a global effort to make poverty history.
4. Get Local
You can help by hosting an ad banner on your website. Go to the website for a selection to choose from and show your support for the ONE campaign.
5. Host a Banner
Take your involvement with the ONE campaign to the next level.
For more info, click here:
ONE
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
One Laptop Per Child
Most of the nearly two-billion children in the developing world are inadequately educated, or receive no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade.
The individual and societal consequences of this chronic global crisis are profound. Children are consigned to poverty and isolation-just like their parents-never guessing what the light of learning could mean in their lives. At the same time, their governments struggle to compete in a rapidly-evolving, global information economy, hobbled by a vast and increasingly urban underclass that cannot support itself, much less contribute to the commonweal, because it lacks the tools to do so.
It is time to rethink this equation.
Given the resources that poor countries can reasonably allocate to education-sometimes less than $20 per year per pupil, compared to approximately $7500 spent annually in the U.S.-even a doubled or redoubled national commitment to traditional education, augmented by external and private funding, does not get the job done. Moreover, experience strongly suggests that incrementally doing more of the same-building schools, hiring teachers, buying books and equipment-is a laudable but insufficient response to the problem of bringing true learning possibilities to the vast numbers of children in the developing world. It is instead a reliable recipe for going backward by standing still.
Any nation's most precious and valuable natural resource is its children. We believe the emerging world must leverage its children, tap their innate capacities to learn and share and create on their own. Our answer to that challenge is the XO laptop, a children's machine designed for "learning learning."
OLPC is not at heart a technology program and the XO is not a product in any conventional sense of the word. We are non-profit: constructionism is our goal; XO is our means of getting there. It is a very cool, even revolutionary machine, and we are very proud of it. But we would also be delighted if someone built something better, and at a lower price.
The One Laptop per Child Foundation is supported by individuals, businesses and foundations. Your contributions large and small are greatly appreciated and will be used to support grassroots learning innovations throughout the lesser developed world.
You can send your contributions to:
OLPC Foundation
One Cambridge Center
Cambridge Massachusetts, 02142
U.S.A.
Or log on below and donate by credit card:
One Laptop Per Child
The individual and societal consequences of this chronic global crisis are profound. Children are consigned to poverty and isolation-just like their parents-never guessing what the light of learning could mean in their lives. At the same time, their governments struggle to compete in a rapidly-evolving, global information economy, hobbled by a vast and increasingly urban underclass that cannot support itself, much less contribute to the commonweal, because it lacks the tools to do so.
It is time to rethink this equation.
Given the resources that poor countries can reasonably allocate to education-sometimes less than $20 per year per pupil, compared to approximately $7500 spent annually in the U.S.-even a doubled or redoubled national commitment to traditional education, augmented by external and private funding, does not get the job done. Moreover, experience strongly suggests that incrementally doing more of the same-building schools, hiring teachers, buying books and equipment-is a laudable but insufficient response to the problem of bringing true learning possibilities to the vast numbers of children in the developing world. It is instead a reliable recipe for going backward by standing still.
Any nation's most precious and valuable natural resource is its children. We believe the emerging world must leverage its children, tap their innate capacities to learn and share and create on their own. Our answer to that challenge is the XO laptop, a children's machine designed for "learning learning."
OLPC is not at heart a technology program and the XO is not a product in any conventional sense of the word. We are non-profit: constructionism is our goal; XO is our means of getting there. It is a very cool, even revolutionary machine, and we are very proud of it. But we would also be delighted if someone built something better, and at a lower price.
The One Laptop per Child Foundation is supported by individuals, businesses and foundations. Your contributions large and small are greatly appreciated and will be used to support grassroots learning innovations throughout the lesser developed world.
You can send your contributions to:
OLPC Foundation
One Cambridge Center
Cambridge Massachusetts, 02142
U.S.A.
Or log on below and donate by credit card:
One Laptop Per Child
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Curriki
Curriki is more than your average Website; it is a community of educators, learners and committed education experts who are working together to create quality materials that will benefit teachers and students around the world.
Curriki provides an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of 'curriculum' and 'wiki' which is the technology we're using to make education universally accessible.
Curriki is a nonprofit community that relies on the support of companies, foundations, and individuals to realize our vision of a truly global education and learning community. Your donation makes it possible for educators worldwide to develop, share, and access the highest quality curricula and learning resources with teachers and learners around the globe.
To find out more, click below:
Curriki
Curriki provides an online environment created to support the development and free distribution of world-class educational materials to anyone who needs them. Our name is a play on the combination of 'curriculum' and 'wiki' which is the technology we're using to make education universally accessible.
Curriki is a nonprofit community that relies on the support of companies, foundations, and individuals to realize our vision of a truly global education and learning community. Your donation makes it possible for educators worldwide to develop, share, and access the highest quality curricula and learning resources with teachers and learners around the globe.
To find out more, click below:
Curriki
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
T-Post
Yeah I know I've already gone the t-shirt route recently, but t-shirts are really just the flyer or billboard of the next generation, so I can't pass up spreading the word about T-Post.
Swedish T-shirt-design company T-Post has found an easy way for you to draw public attention to important current events. Subscribe to their new service and every six weeks you’ll receive a new American Apparel T-shirt upon which the latest news has been graphically depicted (don’t worry, explanatory text is on the inside). As countless curious passersby ask what your shirt means, you’ll be raising awareness every time you leave your house. The price may be steep, but you'll be ultra fashionable, and consider the alternative: newspaper clothing would be neither practical nor comfortable.
T-Post
Swedish T-shirt-design company T-Post has found an easy way for you to draw public attention to important current events. Subscribe to their new service and every six weeks you’ll receive a new American Apparel T-shirt upon which the latest news has been graphically depicted (don’t worry, explanatory text is on the inside). As countless curious passersby ask what your shirt means, you’ll be raising awareness every time you leave your house. The price may be steep, but you'll be ultra fashionable, and consider the alternative: newspaper clothing would be neither practical nor comfortable.
T-Post
Monday, February 12, 2007
Freepledge
This Valentine's Day, with FREEPLEDGE, you can send gifts and flowers to your loved ones, and at the same time support your nonprofit organizations at no extra cost.
First choose a nonprofit to support, then watch shop for the gift that you'll get rewarded for, and that rewards others.
Freepledge
First choose a nonprofit to support, then watch shop for the gift that you'll get rewarded for, and that rewards others.
Freepledge
Terrapass
Ever wished you could do something about global warming? It might seem there's nothing you can do about global warming. The problem is just too big.
Of course, we all contribute to global warming. We all have a "carbon footprint," the total carbon dioxide emissions we create when we drive or fly or use electricity. The first step you can take to fight global warming is to reduce your carbon footprint through conservation. Drive less. Turn down the thermostat. Buy locally produced goods. Then use TerraPass to reduce your carbon footprint all the way to zero.
When you buy a TerraPass, your money funds renewable energy projects such as wind farms. These projects result in verified reductions in greenhouse gas pollution. And these reductions counterbalance your own emissions.
Of course, global warming is too big a problem for a handful of people to solve on their own. It's a global problem that requires action on a global scale. But entrepreneurial groups are leading the way. City and state governments, forward-looking businesses, and enthusiastic citizens are banding together to show that a sustainable future is possible today.
Every TerraPass member has taken a simple positive step to fight global warming. Every TerraPass purchase is a vote for innovation, efficiency, and clean energy. Together, we have eliminated over 150 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Be part of a group that is driving change today.
Terrapass
Of course, we all contribute to global warming. We all have a "carbon footprint," the total carbon dioxide emissions we create when we drive or fly or use electricity. The first step you can take to fight global warming is to reduce your carbon footprint through conservation. Drive less. Turn down the thermostat. Buy locally produced goods. Then use TerraPass to reduce your carbon footprint all the way to zero.
When you buy a TerraPass, your money funds renewable energy projects such as wind farms. These projects result in verified reductions in greenhouse gas pollution. And these reductions counterbalance your own emissions.
Of course, global warming is too big a problem for a handful of people to solve on their own. It's a global problem that requires action on a global scale. But entrepreneurial groups are leading the way. City and state governments, forward-looking businesses, and enthusiastic citizens are banding together to show that a sustainable future is possible today.
Every TerraPass member has taken a simple positive step to fight global warming. Every TerraPass purchase is a vote for innovation, efficiency, and clean energy. Together, we have eliminated over 150 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Be part of a group that is driving change today.
Terrapass
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Your Name On Toast
Your Name on Toast may be one of the strangest ideas I've ever seen to raise money for a good cause. But hey, any idea that works is smart, and this one may just be brilliant.
You pay a fee that goes towards a charity that your votes will later decide, choose your text, and watch as your slice of toast (and its message) gets posted up in their gallery. Even better it also serves as a link to your site, so you can promote while you provide for others.
And besides any site with this line written on it deserves mention:
"Why would I buy toast when I can make some myself?"
We'd recommend you do both. We love toast.
Your Name on Toast
You pay a fee that goes towards a charity that your votes will later decide, choose your text, and watch as your slice of toast (and its message) gets posted up in their gallery. Even better it also serves as a link to your site, so you can promote while you provide for others.
And besides any site with this line written on it deserves mention:
"Why would I buy toast when I can make some myself?"
We'd recommend you do both. We love toast.
Your Name on Toast
Friday, February 9, 2007
KIVA
Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.
Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, partners can upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.
Kiva then provides a data-rich, transparent lending platform for the poor. They are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle. The below diagram shows briefly how money gets from you to a third-world borrower, and back!
Kiva also uses the power of the internet to facilitate one-to-one connections that were previously prohibitively expensive. Child sponsorship has always been a high overhead business. Kiva creates a similar interpersonal connection at much lower costs due to the instant, inexpensive nature of internet delivery. The individuals featured on our website are real people who need a loan and waiting for socially-minded individuals like you to lend them money. So check it out and start making a difference today.
Kiva
Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, partners can upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.
Kiva then provides a data-rich, transparent lending platform for the poor. They are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle. The below diagram shows briefly how money gets from you to a third-world borrower, and back!
Kiva also uses the power of the internet to facilitate one-to-one connections that were previously prohibitively expensive. Child sponsorship has always been a high overhead business. Kiva creates a similar interpersonal connection at much lower costs due to the instant, inexpensive nature of internet delivery. The individuals featured on our website are real people who need a loan and waiting for socially-minded individuals like you to lend them money. So check it out and start making a difference today.
Kiva
Thursday, February 8, 2007
826
Dave Eggers could live like any author of his growing stature: the parties, the talk shows, the lucrative speeches.
Instead, the best-selling author of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" decided to help create the 826 Valencia writing lab, investing his time and money to help less privileged young people learn the craft that has fueled his career.
826 Valencia helps students, ages 8–18, to develop their writing skills. Whether the students are working in the realm of fiction, nonfiction, or English as a second language, we are here to help them explore their love of writing. They offer free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and storytelling. We also help students create their own story collections, zines, and other publications.
In addition to drop-in tutoring, they offer a number of in-depth workshops, in which professionals teach a variety of topics to the students interested in learning additional skills. These include, but are not limited to: creative writing, journalism, film, design, photo manipulation, comics, and publishing to the Web.
826 Valencia’s facilities are also available as a free publishing resource, and their volunteers are available to assist with school and extracurricular student publications.
Of course the Valencia project could have stopped simply with its mission, but that is only something one would assume if they didn't know Dave Eggers. Each of their centers are tied into online and brick and mortar stores whose profits go towards the center's needs. And these are no ordinary stores, with San Francisco concentrating on the everyday needs of Pirates and New York focusing on just what the superhero needs to defeat his arch enemy. And I'm sure we can expect much more in this vein in the future.
In addition to our founding site at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, and the popular site in Brooklyn New York, there also have 826 chapters in Los Angeles, Michigan, Seattle, and Chicago.
In San Francisco
826 Valencia
The Pirate Store
In Brooklyn
826 NYC
Superhero Supply Company
Instead, the best-selling author of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" decided to help create the 826 Valencia writing lab, investing his time and money to help less privileged young people learn the craft that has fueled his career.
826 Valencia helps students, ages 8–18, to develop their writing skills. Whether the students are working in the realm of fiction, nonfiction, or English as a second language, we are here to help them explore their love of writing. They offer free drop-in tutoring, workshops, and storytelling. We also help students create their own story collections, zines, and other publications.
In addition to drop-in tutoring, they offer a number of in-depth workshops, in which professionals teach a variety of topics to the students interested in learning additional skills. These include, but are not limited to: creative writing, journalism, film, design, photo manipulation, comics, and publishing to the Web.
826 Valencia’s facilities are also available as a free publishing resource, and their volunteers are available to assist with school and extracurricular student publications.
Of course the Valencia project could have stopped simply with its mission, but that is only something one would assume if they didn't know Dave Eggers. Each of their centers are tied into online and brick and mortar stores whose profits go towards the center's needs. And these are no ordinary stores, with San Francisco concentrating on the everyday needs of Pirates and New York focusing on just what the superhero needs to defeat his arch enemy. And I'm sure we can expect much more in this vein in the future.
In addition to our founding site at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, and the popular site in Brooklyn New York, there also have 826 chapters in Los Angeles, Michigan, Seattle, and Chicago.
In San Francisco
826 Valencia
The Pirate Store
In Brooklyn
826 NYC
Superhero Supply Company
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Shirts For A Cause
The Syrentha J. Savio Endowment (SSE) was established by punk rock photographer Mark Beemer in 2002. SSE provides financial assistance to underprivileged women who cannot afford expensive breast cancer medicine and therapy. Because SSE is active within the punk rock community, the Shirts For A Cure project was launched to give voice to the social concerns of punk bands and their many fans.
When a band donates a shirt design, the design becomes an SSE exclusive. We sell the shirt and use the proceeds to help women fighting breast cancer. If you would like to support our cause by purchasing a shirt, please click on any of the band names below to see artwork and color schemes. All shirts are printed on 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Each shirt costs $12 plus shipping and handling.
If you're into indie rock, then chances are your favorite band is here, and even if you're not, everyone needs another t-shirt and this is for a good cause. Personally I'm a fan of the Coheed and Cambria and The Used t's. And I've definitely got the Minus the Bear one on pre-order...If this sounds interesting, check it out here...
Shirts for a Cure
When a band donates a shirt design, the design becomes an SSE exclusive. We sell the shirt and use the proceeds to help women fighting breast cancer. If you would like to support our cause by purchasing a shirt, please click on any of the band names below to see artwork and color schemes. All shirts are printed on 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Each shirt costs $12 plus shipping and handling.
If you're into indie rock, then chances are your favorite band is here, and even if you're not, everyone needs another t-shirt and this is for a good cause. Personally I'm a fan of the Coheed and Cambria and The Used t's. And I've definitely got the Minus the Bear one on pre-order...If this sounds interesting, check it out here...
Shirts for a Cure
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Southern Comfort Music Fund
Southern Comfort, created in New Orleans, is launching the SoCo Music Fund to help raise awareness and funds for the musicians and music culture of the Big Easy.
The fund's Web site, www.socomusicfund.org, features a collection of eight 3-5 minute films featuring artists and groups explaining the aspects of New Orleans music. The stories are comprised of performance footage with interviews and background. Artists explain why so many great artists either didn't leave New Orleans or are returning to New Orleans to start the music back up.
With a donation of $10 or more, visitors to the Web site will receive a copy of the "Start the Music Up" soundtrack CD. The money will go toward the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity Musicians Village and support the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund.
"Music is important in terms of regenerating the 'life' of New Orleans," said, Jordan Hirsch, director of the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund. "It is what connects the people to the city and it reminds us why we want to return and why we should rebuild. New Orleans' music culture cannot be recreated anywhere else in the world."
Southern Comfort Music Fund
The fund's Web site, www.socomusicfund.org, features a collection of eight 3-5 minute films featuring artists and groups explaining the aspects of New Orleans music. The stories are comprised of performance footage with interviews and background. Artists explain why so many great artists either didn't leave New Orleans or are returning to New Orleans to start the music back up.
With a donation of $10 or more, visitors to the Web site will receive a copy of the "Start the Music Up" soundtrack CD. The money will go toward the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity Musicians Village and support the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund.
"Music is important in terms of regenerating the 'life' of New Orleans," said, Jordan Hirsch, director of the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund. "It is what connects the people to the city and it reminds us why we want to return and why we should rebuild. New Orleans' music culture cannot be recreated anywhere else in the world."
Southern Comfort Music Fund
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