Facebook Launches Fundraising Challenge, UNHCR Takes Part
by PHILIP ROSS, Causecast Editor
No longer just a place to “poke” friends, tag photos, and nonchalantly gloat about dispassionate daily activities (Philip Ross is drinking the biggest cup of coffee ever!), Facebook is now supporting causes and spurring various nonprofit organizations on to their goals. Wednesday, Facebook Causes, the Case Foundation and Parade Magazine teamed up to launch America’s Giving Challenge. This week-long contest is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations compete to inspire the largest amount of donations through Facebook. The organization that gets the most Facebook users to donate will receive the grand prize of $50,000; there’s also a second place prize of $25,000 and third-to-seventh place prize winners will receive $10,000. The organizations have 30 days to gain support via the Facebook’s Cause application (you have to “add” the application first to see the causes).
Joining the challenge is the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), who are looking to raise money for the tens of thousands of people in Somalia displaced from their homes by years of violent conflict.
From UNHCR News:
UNHCR is asking donors to help displaced Somalis by contributing through its Gimme Shelter Cause on Facebook. This is linked to the Gimme Shelter campaign launched almost a year ago with the help of American actor Ben Affleck and The Rolling Stones to raise funds and awareness about the forcibly displaced around the world.
A social outlet connecting millions around the globe, Facebook is a prime outlet for gaining some exposure for a number of important causes. As of 2:43 today, UNHCR has raised $59,077 through Facebook.
If you are a part of Causes on Facebook, you can find the UNHCR’s Gimme Shelter Cause and donate. America’s Giving Challenge is on until November 6!
Not on Facebook? Not a problem. You can still donate directly to the UNHCR’s Gimme Shelter effort.
Check out what Matt Damon has to say about America’s Giving Challenge on the Case Foundation site or on Parade Magazine online.
Photo by benstein, flickr.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Community
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but how much of those donations get split between Case Foundation, Causes, PARADE and Facebook?
Hi Philip - thanks so much for blogging about America's Giving Challenge. Just to clarify one point, the Challenge is actually co-presented by the Case Foundation (where I work), Causes and PARADE - Causes is hosting the Giving Challenge through their application on Facebook. A good explanation of what the Challenge is and the prize breakdown can be found in our press release - http://www.casefoundation.org/pressroom/releases/americas-giving-challenge-press-launch. Thanks again! (Allie Burns, The Case Foundation)