charity

We do pro bono pr work for charity: water. They are an INCREDIBLE charity that raises money to build wells for people that don’t have safe drinking water. PLEASE check out their site. It will give you something to think about and do…

I’m a BIG fan of doing pro bono work for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is that giving creates a flow that can’t be denied. Someone I know and trust says: “If it can flow through you, it can flow to you.” I personally give about 30% of what I make to charity, but that’s another story. From a business perspective giving really is the way to go. Yes, you can give money, but you can also give something that may even be more valuable, your expertise. I say: Do it.

In the process of working with Scott Harrison the founder and chairman of charity:water I have learned much about people in need and how just a little bit of help can go a long way to change lives. But as a professional I’ve also learned a lot from his innovative approach to fundraising. He’s a young man that has leveraged tools that appeal to young people (social media). I think he’s doing it better than anyone else out there. He certainly has gained the interest and respect of Google, Twitter and Facebook. There’s so much I’ve learned and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if we weren’t willing to do it pro bono. So go for it, find something you believe in and show up to help. They’ll love to have you!

Source: www.charitywater.org

How celebs keep the spotlight on their personal charity projects With so many celebrity-driven charity projects on the decks, it’s hard to keep up with the major issues, who’s doing what, and where change is actually being effected.  We decided to check in on a few of our favorite charities to see how it’s going. charity: water – After digesting the fact that 1 in 6 people lack access to clean water, NYC entertainment promoter Scott Harrison founded the organization in 2006 to bring water solutions to developing nations through wells, rainwater harvesting, and biosand filters. STATUS:  To date, charity: water has succeeded in building 629 water projects around the world. Check out their huge September project here and their thought-provoking PSA starring Jennifer Connelly.

The Make it Right (MIR) Project – Founded in 2006 by Brad Pitt to build homes for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, The MIR Project is committed to construct 150 homes in the devastated Lower 9th Ward.  The affordable, sustainable homes were designed via an architecture competition with Global Green. STATUS: In less than 2 years, 83 of the 150 homes have been sponsored.  Take a home tour here. FEED Foundation – Inspired by the United Nations World Feeding Program (WPF), which supplies school meals to children in developing nations, Lauren Bush designed FEED bags, which translate to supplying food for 1 child for 1 year, with every bag sold.  The FEED Foundation’s ultimate goal is to use nutrition and education to break the poverty cycle. STATUS: In 2008, FEED Projects will distribute $4 million for the UN WFP.  Buy a FEED bag here.