The ChangeMob, a forward thinking social startup launched in Colorado Springs, CO two weeks ago, is bringing its online philanthropy to Grand Rapids. The organization partners a nonprofit organization with a retailer and offers a store reward for every $1 raised on their web and mobile site.
“We don’t touch the dollar,” explains co-owner Gary Black. "It goes straight to the charity.” And it seems to be working. The Cinderella House in Colorado was the first beneficiary of donations, introduced to more than 25,000 donors in the area. The reward for every dollar raised was a free haircut from VEDA Salons.
This week, the ChangeMob will find home in Jackson, MS. By the end of the month, they will be helping our local agencies right here in Grand Rapids.
“We want to change the world,” says Black. “We want people to be angry at an issue and come together as a mob. First locally, then nationally and eventually globally.”
The organization does so by telling a story from beginning to end. They present an issue or a project and once a donation is made, the contributor can track exactly where their dollar is being spent by visiting the company’s website. Through graphics, social media and live tracking, those who give a dollar can follow The ChangeMob as it completes each project or solves an issue and begins the next.
The organization has plans to be located in 24 cities by the end of 2012 and partner with at least 1 national retailer, although, by the sounds of it, that may be happen much sooner than expected. They have also already filed to go public.
Check out their
site and welcome them to our generous city. Show them what do-gooders we already are.
Want to learn more…
• Partner your organization with them on future projects by contacting Gary Black at (719) 229-8922 or Michael Yoder at (616) 617-2593
Source: Gary Black, The ChangeMob
Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
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