ChipIn Over the Holidays

[img_assist|fid=2313|thumb=1|alt=Leng Soparath|caption=Leng Soparath by Beth Kanter]

Did you know that according to the 2005 Kintera/Luth Nonprofit Trend Report:

On average, online givers donate in total (both online and offline) more than 50 percent more than those donors who do not give online.

I've been thinking about how bloggers can use their blogs during the holiday season to support organizations that they care about, like Chez Pim has done for UNICEF with the Menu for Hope.

My fellow BlogHer co-editor, Beth Kanter, has launched a fundraising campaign using ChipIn. ChipIn allows a group of people to collect money online whether it is for a birthday gift, a party or a fundraiser.

Between now and December 31st, Beth is working to raise $750 for the Sharing Foundation, an NGO that works with local officials, orphanages, and NGOs in Cambodia to improve children's lives. She sits on their board. The money is going to support a college scholarship for Leng Soparath (pictured here), an orphan from the Kampong Speu orphanage. $750 will cover her college fees and living expenses.

As of this writing, 3:45 PM on November 16th PST, she has raised 44% of her goal, and she started the campaign ten days ago!

Beth has been keeping notes about what is working and what isn't on her blog. If you have a web site or blog, and want to start a similar campaign of your own, I'm sure she'd be happy to share tips and advice-- she's very nice (:

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Britt Bravo, also blogs at Have Fun * Do Good and NetSquared.

Submitted by Britt Bravo (view blog

) on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 17:33

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The Menu of Hope is this year too!

Good for Beth. What a great thing to do. The Menu of Hope is going to be happening this year too. You can read about it here.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 16:19

Awesome!

I'm so glad they are doing the campaign again. I always mention it to people as an example of the power of blogs.

Britt Bravo
Blogher Contributing Editor: Nonprofits & NGOs
NetSquared Community Builder
Big Vision Career & Project

Submitted by Britt Bravo on Fri, 11/17/2006 - 07:11

Thank you for your kindness

http://www.bongthom.com/akonline/soundfiles/AKMeK29.mp3

Britt,

Follow the link above and listen to the phrase in Khmer - thank you for your kindness! This means so much to Leng Sopharath.

When I was at blogher last July, I got an email from the Sharing Foundation founder who was in Cambodia. Leng Sopharath almost dropped out of school to go work as a "home girl" in Malyasia. We know that means.

As an orphan responsible for younger siblings, she thought she could make fast money to support them. We were able to change her mind ... and now she starts her second year in school as an IT/accounting major. Her grades are off the charts, I know she will be successful!

I can't wait to meet her face-to-face - our family is planning to attend her graduation in 3 more years.

Submitted by Beth Kanter on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 18:26

Thank you . . .

For helping this young woman. Clearly, your donation will change the direction of her life.

Britt Bravo
Blogher Contributing Editor: Nonprofits & NGOs
NetSquared Community Builder
Big Vision Career & Project

Submitted by Britt Bravo on Fri, 11/17/2006 - 07:22

Kalyn ..

Ah, I think I contributed last year. YOu should really check out using a widget. Good luck with your campaign

Submitted by Beth Kanter on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 18:28

Pim is in charge

Actually Pim from Chez Pim is in charge of A Menu of Hope, but my brother and I am contributing a prize together (something that food bloggers will drool over, and it's not food). They have a collection service, can't remember the name and Blogher CE Sam Breach is the Western U.S. contact person. It's such a good cause; I hope we can raise a lot of money.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Thu, 11/16/2006 - 20:07