The Case Foundation just kicked off a month long fund raising effort with America’s Giving Challenge. They’re giving away $150,000 in prize money to charities that can mobilize the most supporters from Oct. 7 to Nov. 6. There will be daily prizes of $1,000 and $500 to the charities with the most donations, and month-long prizes of $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 for the top seven charities.
It’s all based on the number of donations, not the amount donated, and it utilizes Facebook’s Causes application. Which means it’s all about spreading the word in your network. The minimum donation is $10 and you can donate once per day to be counted towards the daily totals.
So what does this have to do with church marketing?
First and foremost, it’s a great way to help your favorite charity and magnify your giving. This just kicked off yesterday, so it’s early, but the number one charity has only 48 donations. Winning the daily challenge would be tough, but it’s within reach. If you’ve got a favorite charity you’d love to rally your friends around, now’s a great time to put your money where your mouth is. Consider supporting Compassion International, Invisible Children or many other worthy charities (Church Marketing Sucks is honored to be among the options). [A lot of causes aren’t participating yet because whoever runs the cause has to join the America’s Giving Challenge–Katya’s Nonprofit Marketing Blog talks about how and why to join.]
Secondly, it’s a way you could help your church. Anyone can start a Facebook cause to benefit a nonprofit (it gets a little complicated here as nonprofits need to be a 501(c)3 registered with Guidestar–not all churches are listed). You could start a cause for your church and rally your congregation.
More than just a chance to scramble for cash, this is an opportunity for charities and churches to tell their story. What do you do that makes you worthy of the daily or monthly prize?
