Change.org, the social network where users can find like-minded do-gooders based on shared issues that they want to change, or nonprofits that they support, has launched a fundraising widget (pictured left). The widget can be placed on a blog, MySpace, Facebook, or a website.
According to Ben Rattray, the founder of Change.org, over 200 nonprofits and NGOs like CARE, Oxfam America, Ashoka, Amnesty International, Grameen Foundation, Greenpeace, Nature Conservancy, USA for UNHCR, World Wildlife Fund, and Natural Resources Defense Council have signed up for accounts on Change.org.
When I asked Ben to share a story about how Change.org has helped a nonprofit he said:
"I think the coolest success story thus far comes from a small, grassroots organization in Washington DC working to combat human trafficking and sex slavery called Polaris Project They invited a few of their activists to join their community on Change.org about a week ago and now have a network of over 100 supporters across the US discussing their issues on the site, and thousands of people checking out their work every day-– some of whom have emailed them saying that they never knew of how prevalent human trafficking is in the United States.
As much as I think larger organizations such as Amnesty International, The Nature Conservancy and The Humane Society have the potential to develop large and active communities on the site, I think it's these smaller organizations that don't have large marketing budgets or prominent brands, but who do great grassroots work that have the most to gain by using our platform to raise awareness and build their base of supporters."
With the creation of so many new social networks and networking tools, it will be interesting to see which ones will rise to the top and which will fall away. I feel like right now people are "dating" all of the new tools, but at some point they are going to want to commit to just a few.
Shortly after Change.org's launch, Ben received an email from a user in Missouri who said:
"I just wanted to send you a note to say: thank you. In a world where all people seem to care about is themselves and where I sometimes feel like there is nothing one person can do to make a difference, your site gives me hope. You have done a beautiful thing, and I wanted to thank you for that."
How many tech tools do you know of that give you hope? Pretty cool.
If you are in the Bay Area, you can hear Ben talk more about Change.org at San Francisco's Net Tuesday on April 10th.
Cross-posted from the NetSquared blog.
Screenshot of sample Change.org widget from Change.org site.
