Through PIF^2's social impact mobile game platform, users are playing it forward for charity

William Bleier

July 27, 2020 |

Generocity |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

The startup PIF^2 is a “social impact mobile game platform” that partners with charities to raise money through ad revenue and in-game purchases. It hosts “game-a-thons” that target a younger demographic who can generate money for a charity by downloading and playing a game. The “game-a-thons” usually last about a week, after which charities receive a check from PIF^2 for up to 50% of the revenue that was generated. The game apps are currently created by independent developers, but the startup hopes to create its own games so that it can donate even more of the revenue proceeds to charity.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Law Firms Step Up To Help Small Businesses Navigate COVID-19 Crisis

Amanda Peacher

July 15, 2020 |

Boise State Public Radio (KBSX) |

Radio |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Idaho

Lawyers are providing free legal consultations to business owners and health care workers whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Pro bono legal aid in Idaho is helping businesses navigate problems with vendor contracts, loan assistance programs and HR issues. In New York, Lawyers for Good Government is a nonprofit providing wills for health care workers on the front lines of COVID-19. The legal consultations have proved effective 9 out of 10 times but the volunteer lawyers are unable to meet the high demand for legal assistance.

Read More

Go to Original Story

The Latino Task Force emerges to take on COVID-19

Lydia Chavez

July 10, 2020 |

Mission Local |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

The Latino Task Force emerged in response to Covid-19 and has effectively provided services to the Mission District’s Latinx community. Formed by longtime grassroots activists turned influential community leaders, the Task Force and its volunteers provide Spanish-language information, food aid, and funds for out of work or sick residents. They also run the Hub, a physical location where, among other services, residents can get help applying for assistance. While information quickly becomes out of date and individuals' needs change, the Task Force has successfully listened to and responded to community needs.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Beach Cleanups Prove Popular And Purposeful During Pandemic

Claire Caulfield

July 06, 2020 |

Honolulu Civil Beat |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Hawaii

Since single-use plastic usage has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations in Hawaii are planning beach cleanup events to pick up the plastic waste. Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii’s first beach cleanup event since the start of the pandemic drew 150 registrations in less than a day. 808 Cleanups is growing its adopt-a-site program where households identify a beach, waterway, or trail they’d like to regularly clean up. Coordinating a large number of volunteers while maintaining social distancing guidelines has been difficult to navigate.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Minnesota 'crisis mode chaplains' seek to heal trauma of George Floyd's death

Jean Hopfensperger

July 06, 2020 |

Minnesota Star Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minnesota, volunteer chaplains are attending community events at the request of the participants to provide counsel and support to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of trauma. Before attending any event to lend help, the volunteer "clergy, spiritual leaders and mental health leaders" first undergo a virtual cultural sensitivity and trauma training. During the events, the interfaith chaplains often perform volunteer duties, but also wear orange shirts to be easily identifiable for those who would like to share.

Read More

Go to Original Story

As covid-19 saps Vietnam's economy, private charity is blossoming

The Economist

July 02, 2020 |

The Economist |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Vietnam

“Rice ATMs” allow people in need to withdraw free rice each week and are popular throughout Vietnam. Created by private companies, the ATMs are now sustained by private donations in a country that hasn’t developed a large-scale philanthropy sector due to its communist political system. However, the solution is government approved and in fact has government support by expediting necessary permits, referring people in need of assistance, and providing security. A handful of companies supply ATMs in cities across the country and most ATMs serve about 2,000 people with enough to feed a small family for 3 days.

Read More

Go to Original Story

When working for justice, the promotora model builds power in communities even during a pandemic

Erin Flynn Jay

July 01, 2020 |

Generocity |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia (NSM) adjusted its promotora model of organizing, which relies on neighbor-to-neighbor interaction to assess community needs, due to Covid-19. The immigrant justice nonprofit now runs zoom meetings and phone banks to talk with hard hit immigrant communities. NSM, fundraising with a coalition of 40 other groups, also provides financial support to immigrant families who cannot access federal aid. They gave money to 150 families, with 100 more on the waitlist. They hired a few laid off community members and try to give promotores some money, but funding is limited.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Voting justice group Common Power turns to tech in time of COVID to reimagine outreach

Lisa Stiffler

July 01, 2020 |

GeekWire |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Common Power has over 2,000 volunteers, mostly white retirees, who reach out to voters and lobby elected officials for things like widespread mail-in ballots. The small, racially diverse paid staff run many traditional voter engagement programs, such as phone banks and voter-registration drives. The organization also focuses on partnering with local organizations and provides extra capacity in the form of trained volunteers for campaigns in 20 states. All programming has become virtual due to the Covid-19 pandemic and substantial time has been spent training volunteers on the new technologies.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Philanthropies tailor giving strategies to meet pandemic needs

Stephen Langel

June 25, 2020 |

Cleveland Jewish News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Ohio philanthropies shifted to a rapid-response model of providing support for the coronavirus. A coalition of 81 philanthropies in Northeast Ohio quickly raised over $8.7 million from more than 2,200 donors and allocated over $6.6 million in grants to 120 recipients. The grants cover Covid19-related needs like PPE, food distribution, and housing. The Tri-C Foundation provided emergency funds to 560 Cuyahoga Community College students, compared to 125 students all of last year. Philanthropy support is small compared to what the government can do, so there should ideally be more public-private partnerships.

Read More

Go to Original Story

Fans Without Football

Kit Holden

June 09, 2020 |

Are We Europe |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Italy, Milan, Lombardy

Europe’s hardcore football fans, deprived of the communal experience of watching their sport in raucous stadium crowds during the pandemic, redirected their energies toward public service projects to help communities cope with the virus. The oft-maligned “ultra” movement, blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak that became the epicenter of Europe’s virus crisis, has made hospital donations, collected food bank donations and delivered food to shut-ins, and made personal protective equipment. The philanthropy has spread across the continent to demonstrate the movement's ability to act responsibly.

Read More