Do We Need More Micro-Charity Websites?
While The Philanthropist, NBC's new TV program featuring a wealthy do-gooder who wanders the globe helping people out, shows one extreme of philanthropy, the other extreme is illustrated by the increasing number of micro-charity portals that allow people of modest means to contribute to causes around the globe.
Two more just came to my attention, both launched in Seattle by Microsoft veterans:
- SeeYourImpact.org
Founded by philanthropist Scott Oki, a retired Microsoft executive, SeeYourImpact is aimed at young people with limited budgets. The site says it will work with organizations around the world, allowing donors to find a cause, donate online, and see the impact their donations have via photos and videos on their mobile phones. That is a terrific concept, but the site is simply a "concept preview" at this point. We look forward to its official launch later this year.
- Jolkona.org
Another micro-philanthropy effort that targets the younger generation, this site allows donors to choose from projects around the world for as little as $5. Founders Adnan Mahmud (also a Microsoft executive) and his wife, Nadia Khawaja, take an entrepreneurial, low overhead with big impact approach to philanthropy.
Unfortunately, SeeYourImpact is still in beta mode, and there isn't a lot of information at the site. Jolkona.org is well organized and full of information. A press release expands on the Jolkona Foundation's goals. There is a very nice article about the organization on SocialEarth; and a post by Phil Cubeta at Gift Hub. The Seattle Times has an excellent article about both of these sites, since they are home-grown and in a community that values such social entrepreneurism and social activism.
My question, though, is do we need more micro-charity sites? Don't newer sites overlap or even duplicate other sites such as Kiva, DoSomething, or Change.org? Are the subtle differences among all these sites enough? Does the proliferation of such sites carve micro-charity into even tinier chunks, diluting its effect?
On the other hand, perhaps we need all of these organizations looking for people and organizations around the globe that we would likely never hear of otherwise, much less support. Maybe, just as we have lots of commercial brands vying for our attention, the charitable world can handle lots of possibilities for our charitable dollars.
What do you think?
Related:
If I had a nickel for each person whom I met in Africa who could use a micro loan, we wouldn’t need to find donors anymore for our non-profit. There are heaps of people in need out there and yes, I think you are right, the more people identifying them and brining them hope for change, the better. I mean better trying to bring this to people than more TV.
Thanks, Jay. I appreciate your comment. Since there are so many people in need, maybe the more ways to give to charity the better…and I too really like the trend toward giving directly to individuals. At the same time I don’t want to see traditional nonprofits go away…I hope there is room for both types.