Posted 05/01/08 by Ryan Morris
In a previous blog post I mentioned that Americans toss almost 38 billion water bottles in the trash every year. To combat this environmental waste, Brita (you know, the folks who make those cool water filtration products for your home) and Nalgene (check any college student's backpack for one of their fashionable water bottles) teamed up to create the FilterForGood campaign.
The success of the campaign is determined by the number of disposable water bottles saved from ending up in your local dump. The environmentally conscious endeavor requires participants to pledge to reduce bottled water waste by using a reusable water bottle (Nalgene, encouraged) or filtered water (this is where Brita's pitchers and faucet mount filters come in.)
I was very excited when I learned about the pledge, so naturally I signed it online and began taking steps to become an active participant. The FilterForGood folks were stoked too and sent us some reusable water bottles for the staff to use along with a few faucet-mount filtration systems to give away.
Get Free Stuff, Save the Planet
Leave a comment at the bottom of this entry describing ways you plan to get the word out about reducing disposable water bottle use. The top three comments will receive a Brita faucet-mount filtration system. Oh, if you're wondering who will be judging the comments, look no further than Razoo's celebrity panel of super heros and rock stars, of course. ;-)
To track the success of the campaign you can view how many water bottles have been saved by using an interactive map on the campaign Web site.
Links of Interest
Posted 04/30/08 by Ryan Morris
The Legatum Prosperity Africa Prize is a program which "seeks to recognize and reward the best of small business in emerging markets." The grand prize winner received $100,000 for training and business development.
Check out the trailer for Unlocking Africa, a documentary on the Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa Prize program. More info on this awesome endeavor to come!
Posted 03/06/08 by Jenn Fraher
It's been a long 6 weeks since the Good Travels contest ended, and we've been drawing names and confirming our winners. Today, we're happy to announce the full list of official winners from among the many people who entered. Over the past few months, we've heard from hundreds of you about the places that you want to visit and the difference you would make in those places through those trips. You can read through some of the ideas in the Good Travels group. We're thankful we didn't have the pick the best entry- we wouldn't have been able to choose only one!
Without further delay, here are the winners!
First Place: A Trip for Two Anywhere in the World
Ryan Trout:
Here's a little bit about Ryan: Currently I am an AmeriCorps member working for a community mediation center in Maryland. Before I became involved in mediation, I travelled to Rwanda as a part of a Human Rights Delegation. In May 2007, I graduated from college with a BA in Political Science. While in college, I helped run voter registration campaigns and worked for two lobbying groups, the Maryland Catholic Conference (I'm not Catholic) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (I'm not greedy and I want universal health care) so needless to say neither worked out over the long term. I want to love whatever it is that I do. I'm debating between Diplomacy and International Relations or Film School.
What he told us about Good Traveling: I would like to travel through the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I want to travel there because the country could be on the verge of war and I'd like to learn about the people and help those in need in the region.
Second Place: A One Laptop Per Child Laptop
Georgina Asiamah
Alison Boucher
Cynthia Casazza
Kendra Goffredo
Sarita Hartz
Third Place: A 1 GB Flip Video Ultra Camcorder
Samson Akweson
Anna Cembrola
Jessica L Davidson
Jaime Garner
Carol Martinez
James Njoroge Gitau
Kate Shannon
Amy Taylor
Kathryn Tinsley Anderson
Heidi Turner
Top Recruiters
Eugeniu Graur
Sarita Hartz
Congratulations to everyone who won and thanks to everyone who participated.
Posted 02/08/08 by Scott Overdyke
Far and away, the most popular keyword searches for online donations and volunteer opportunities are focused on projects and organizations working with "children." It's not surprising, then, that many of the largest nonprofits in the United States (and indeed the world) run programs and marketing campaigns around youth-based causes.
Considering the public's demonstrated interest in children and education, it's worth noting that few child-centric organizations have made any significant waves in the online world. One group that consistently bucks that trend, however, is DonorsChoose.
If you haven't heard of it already, DonorsChoose is an online portal where teachers can post projects and solicit funding for relevant school supplies and activities. Think Craigslist for classrooms. DonorsChoose best leverages the internet by taking teachers with specific needs and connecting to donors with specific interests. Where the two meet in the middle - voila - is the magic moment where a transaction is made; a classroom is provided for; a teacher's vision is validated; a donor receives the confirmation and gratification that comes with effective giving; children receive an enhanced education experience. And then, shortly thereafter, the donor receives a thank you and a project update. It is the quintessential example of education philanthropy in a wired world.
So my question is this - where else might we replicate this model? How do we take the DonorsChoose model and extend it beyond the hallowed halls of American education? Look what Kiva.org has done for microfinance. What other philanthropic markets are itching for an internet-based innovation? Healthcare? Insurance? Social enterprise? International Development?
What about you? Where do you see the next innovation in online philanthropy?
Posted 01/15/08 by Rebecca Carpenter
As you've probably heard, the Good Travels contest is coming into the home stretch, with the offical end this Friday, January 18, at midnight. We've ben really excited about this contest, as it combines several of our favorite things: doing good, having fun, and traveling the world!
If this is the first you've heard about it, here's the ten second overview: Razoo is offering a trip for two, anywhere in the world, to "put good into action." We've teamed up with great partners like the National Peace Corps Association, ResponsibleTravel.com, Student Movement for Real Change, and One World, because we collectively believe everyone can make a positive difference, not only at home, but while on the road as well. We're also giving away five XO Laptops (from the One Laptop Per Child project), and ten Flip Ultra Camcorders. You can get more details here, and enter the contest here.
One of the most inspiring things to come out of this contest has been our members sharing where they want to travel and how they'd like to "put good into action." I never cease to be amazed and impressed by how many good people there are in our world. Here are a few samples:
Sara C: "I want to go to Ecuador, to work with Manna Project International, and to work with a Kiva partner for microfinance, and to learn hands-on about the process. While I'm there, I would also want to hike and go rock climbing in the Andes."
Lindsay L: "I want to go to Uganda to visit the friends I made while living there two summers ago. I want to teach communities about hygiene and sanitation so that they can keep their water safe and clean."
Justin H: "I want to go to Japan to support anti-human-trafficking NGOs. I am actively involved in raising awareness of trafficking through my blog, and Japan has an active sex industry that allows trafficking to flourish."
Krystal L: "I'd love to go to Iceland. Engineers there are currently working on a whale-watching boat that uses absolutely no fossil fuel, and the only by-product of energy after using the boat is water. Who doesn't want to be around that kind of innovation?"
Sheila S: "I would like to go to Bucharest, Romania, to work with street children there. I am starting a non-profit to do this very thing long term."
Stacia H: "I'd like to go to Guatemala, to see how natives have maintained and adapted their culture, and to ask what different generations think about the changes that have taken place among their people, including from external influences. I'd like to see what they seem to need, from their eyes and mine."
Nat R: "I dream of traveling to Lesotho in Southern Africa to work with a group called Touching Tiny Lives, that provides medical care for orphaned newborns carrying HIV/AIDS. I will combine the business resources of my Project Pyramid cause for a positive change."
This is just a small sample of the thousands of good people who have entered the Good Travels contest and are eager to make positive change in our world. You can see more of their inspirational ideas here, or share your own story of where you'd like to go to put good into action by entering the contest.
Good luck, and good travels!
Posted 10/19/07 by Rebecca Carpenter
After a long and exciting race, we're excited to announce the winners of our Change Your World contest.
It came down to the wire, as the top contenders battled it out until midnight on the final day of voting this week. The first prize of $10,000 was awarded to Students Helping Honduras (SHH), a young non-profit started by college students that sends groups of students to Honduras throughout the year to engage in service projects.
SHH co-founder and CEO Shin Fujiyama has informed us that they "will be using the funds to build a school in Honduras and purchase seeds for the indigenous people of La Misquitia where their crops were completely destroyed by Hurricane Felix. Without these seeds, thousands of people would face famine next spring and relief organizations would have to spend tens of thousands of dollars sending food. We have to think ahead and prevent, instead of acting when it's too late." Justin Simeone, the Chairperson of the Board of SHH also shared how "SHH is incredibly proud of the continued hard work and dedication of its members at UVA, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, William & Mary, and Mary Washington. Their efforts have continually proven what can be possible when passionate young people come together for a good cause. We are also tremendously grateful to all of our additional supporters who helped us make change possible during the course of Razoo's "Change Your World Contest."
The second place prize of $2,500 went to Leadership Initiatives, an organization that seeks to enable university students worldwide to turn their ideas into sustainable community development projects. Leadership Initiatives held a number of Razoo sign-up parties across the US and Nigeria in their creative efforts to win this prize. "We're excited about mobilizing people around some great causes and contributing to the work of these organizations," said Razoo CEO Sebastian Traeger. “We're pleased to be able to give individuals an opportunity to support an organization without needing to reach into their own pockets."
We were also happy to recognize the valiant efforts of two other groups, Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), and Saving Shelter Pets, by awarding them with $1500 honorable mention prizes. LinK will be using the prize money to support their network of underground shelters for North Korean refugees and expand their underground railroad. Saving Shelter Pets plans to use the funds to support the launch of a new program that will to provide much-needed pet-care services to low-income residents in Murray County, Georgia. We also awarded a $1,000 Lucky Draw prize to March of Dimes, an organization working to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Thirty-four different non-profit organizations qualified for the contest by creating a group on Razoo.com and recruiting 100 members by October 1, 2007. From October 1st to October 15th, the Razoo community voted from among the qualifying groups to determine which organization was most worthy to win the contest. This was an opportunity for nonprofits, student groups, and other social cause organizations to win money for their work while increasing their reach and impact in the online world.
Deputy Director Hannah Song of Liberty in North Korea summed it well in saying: "Razoo's vision and tremendous efforts will change the way groups like ours are able to more effectively and efficiently mobilize grassroots efforts and encourage others to similarly take on passions, expend their resources, take actions, and ultimately change the world - because change IS possible!"
With the conclusion of the Change Your World Contest, we're now planning the launch of our next big contest... stay tuned for news in the next couple weeks.
Posted 10/19/07 by Ryan Morris
Our little community has been growing slowly, but surely over the last two months. I remember back in July we had around 500 members. With over 20,000 members today, it feels great to know there is an ever-growing amount of people who want to do something about social issues in our world.
Of all those members, there are 25 we would like to recognize for their contributions on the site and overall, well, awesomeness. Around Razoo HQ, we've called these folks everything from "super-user" to "über active" member. So, without further ado, here are the Top 25 Members (in no particular order) who recently rocked our world:
Jeremy Foreman
Tom Rowan
Lars Hasselblad Torres
Emma Vick
Samson Akweson
Brad Byrne
Jamie Vijay
Jonathan Wiles
Linda Nowakowski
John Powers
Cory Richardson
Christina Jordan
Roshani Kothari
Elizabeth Garcia-Gray
Matt Newsome
Kate Sands
Lisa McCandless
Stephanie Horter
meadowlea withlove
Dominique Beyens
Michael Maranda
Jean Russell
Rebecca Chojnackli
Dwan "Diane" ABC
All members in our Top 25 will receive a gift from Razoo; one of our little ways of saying, "thanks."
Also, rather than just calling these members Top Twenty-Fiver's, we've invited them to one of the more prestigious groups on the site (in my opinion anyway). Officially, they're known as Razoo Ambassadors, and they are one of the ways I know our site is going to help change the world.
The Razoo Ambassadors are an elite squad of social do-gooders -- people who don't just stand on the sidelines and hope good things happen, but get their hands dirty helping others and the world around them. Their passion is contagious. They are the “glue” of social good and they are helping Razoo create a platform to inspire and empower others to enact change.
Becoming an Ambassador is not a popularity contest. Designation is granted at the sole discretion of Razoo based on merit and activity within our site. So, just because you're interested in becoming an Ambassador doesn't mean you'll become one. You have to earn those stripes, ya know?
Congrats to all for your effort in changing the world. You rock!
Posted 10/02/07 by Ryan Morris
I'm big into auctions these days. On eBay alone I've bought and sold everything from bicycle frames to GPS units. I think the reason I like bidding on items is because I have fun during the entire process.
One of our groups on Razoo is hosting an art auction. When I first learned that the auction was going to be local, my interest perked; it would be an oppoortunity to meet some local Razoo'ers and maybe bring home some art for my recently painted living room (double score!). When I learned that the event was a means to raise funds to enact social change in Nigeria and the Phillipines, I was a shoe-in.
This is such a brilliant and simple idea: 1)Get some local artists to donate some pieces, 2) Invite everyone you know in the area and 3) Boom! Instant funds for a good cause. Here's the details of the event:
Event: Gala for Global Change (hosted by Leadership Initiatives) will let you meet over a dozen artists, network with international leaders in business and development, and learn how you can foment innovations in grassroots indigenous change.
Date: Friday, October 5, 2007
Time: 7pm
Location: Katzen Art Center, American University, Washington, DC
Cost: $60
Bid on 50+ works of art, from photographic to collagraphic.
To RSVP for the Gala, go here: http://www.leadershipinitiatives.org/gala
Tell you friends and bring them along. Hope to see you there!
Posted 09/18/07 by Ryan Morris
Yesterday evening I received a phone call from my buddy Marshall:
"Hey Ryan, we've got over 40 people who have joined my group on Razoo."
I said, "Really? How?"
"Well, my old fraternity brothers and I put together a party this past weekend. We set up two laptops in one of the rooms and got folks to join Razoo and our group," Marshall said.
"That's awesome, Marshall!"
"Yeah, I'm in Michigan right now, and some of my friends and I will be doing a similar party here to recruit some more members so the non-profit Leadership Initiatives can become eligble for the the $10,000 grant you guys are giving away."
"Not bad, Marshall. Not bad," I said.
Do you have a Change Your World Experience similar to Marshall's? Share it with us!
Posted 09/11/07 by Ryan Morris
Today marks the sixth anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our world. We've put together six simple yet meaningful acts that can easily be done by anyone. One of those acts is:
