When I heard about the earthquake in Haiti I was filled with despair as I saw the images come out of that country showing people’s lives changed forever. I wanted to do something more than send in my check or give my standard donation. I wanted to do something more and I wanted to use what I did in my job as a place to start. The result was the Haiti radio show, which was able to raise funds for Haiti and spread some good in the world.
Joseph Jaffe a marketer and pioneer in the world of social media had the same idea. He took what he knew and what he could do to help and used that to make a difference in the world. He explains more in his video:
Jaffe works for a company called Crayon, that recently merged with Powered, a company that was very generous in donating to that 24 hour radio show benefiting Haiti earthquake victims. I join Mr. Jaffe in his call for social media people to do something more than preach to the choir. I want them to take what they do and find a way to leverage that into a campaign for a cause. The work we do everyday is easy enough, but it is hard to make a choice to take what we do and give that to others. Thanks to Joseph Jaffe for making a difference in the lives of those who need it.
Not to be flippant, but WhatGives!? with the earthquake in Chile? With a magnitude of 8.8, it was 500 times more powerful than the one in Haiti. Buildings fell, people died, water and utilities were cut off… but checking #chileon Twitter results in mainly Spanish language conversations. Unlike the tiny island nation of Haiti that gathered worldwide support, the country on the western edge of South America has seemingly already been “handled.” Outside of Latin America, there seems to be no call to arms or marshaling of resources to go to the aid of those who suffered last Saturday. Our question today is, “Why?”
That question is thoughtfully considered in today’s Huffington Post. The short answer is that Chile was simply better prepared on every level. Whereas most Haitians had no idea if their president had survived their 7.0 shaker, Chile’s president was giving live televised updates of the crisis within hours. Included in those updates was a clear message that Chile was not requesting outside government aid until their situation was evaluated and specific needs analyzed. And while the United Nations, international relief agencies, and the heads of many governments responded quickly to say they’d be there in a New York minute if needed, you could almost feel the world breathe out a sigh of relief.
After all, it’s been a tough year… already. Mother Nature seems to be taking no prisoners in 2010. Chile, Haiti, Japan’s earthquake on Saturday, a series of avalanches in Afghanistan, the relentless back-to-back storms on the east coast, heck, there was even a 4.0 earthquake in Oklahoma in January, for Pete’s sake. It’s become an almost constant state of alert to the point that upon learning the death toll is “only” 100 people, we move on.
It’s a problem that nonprofits face every day. How do you keep supporters involved and enthusiastic when the cause (poverty, cancer, homelessness, clean water) can seem insurmountable at times? Even the most ardent leader of an organization must have days when he or she wakes up frustrated that they have to ask – again – for money, resources, or volunteers. Even the most devoted advocates for a cause have moments when being asked – again – to dig deep causes them to think, “I just can’t.”
It’s basic charity fatigue. And this new-fangled interweb cybertube thing isn’t helping. It used to be lots of direct mail requests, some mid-dinner phone calls, and an occasional telethon. Now, it’s a non-stop, 24/7 around-the-world ask. Television programs weave stories about social issues into their plot lines, raising much needed awareness – sometimes with compelling subtlety, sometimes with a large hammer. Social media for social good campaigns (Hi, boss!) are taking hold with multi-national corporations like Coke and Pepsi. The ask is spreading into every form of information and entertainment. Some will tell you that it’s more personal now, and that their supporter base is more engaged and more passionate than ever. Others are sure it’s overwhelming the average Joe.
There is suffering in every country of the world. There are hungry children by the millions. People die from simple, treatable medical problems every hour. There is so much to be done. How do you choose where you spend your time, energy, and money? Do you follow your heart or try to be practical?
Earthquake; buildings crumble; people living under tarps, cardboard, and sheets of plastic.Officials declare tents take up too much space; aren’t all waterproof; safety risk in unstable areas.
Who is this miracle worker? A nice guy who’s the pastor of Atlanta’s Courageous Church and who is also absolutely, undeniably relelentless.
He has put red tape through a woodchipper in order to get doctors into Haiti and to get desperately injured children out of Haiti.
He spends his days asking others to make things better. And they respond. With money and time and connections and passion and dedication.
We asked him how he does it, if he’s overwhelmed by Haiti’s desperate situation, and if he worries about wearing out his welcome with all the asking. We asked him about his approach to masterminding such a successful campaign. His answers surprised us. (Why are we still surprised by anything Shaun King does?) His response speaks more clearly about dedication to purpose than any blog post we could concoct…
Hey Marijane!
Thanks for your email my friend! Not overwhelmed… yet! I have faced a great deal of adversity in my life since childhood and was created to do this work.
I have to say, though – I am winging it. If I am an expert – I don’t feel like it. I use the experience that I have to try to help but I regularly find myself in situations where I have no idea what I’m doing.
My church and followers may tire of my frenetic pace. They have not done so yet. We seem to pick up more people along the way than we lose. I only tweet a small percentage of my life (believe it or not – haha) and do have to do a lot behind the scenes to keep our core team strong.
I am perfectly willing to ruin my reputation, though, and get on the nerves of folk, if I judge that something is an undeniable emergency – like a dying baby or kids being sold.
I did not intend to do all that we’ve done. If it’s a symphony it’s accidental. I have a shoestring budget, very little technology, and a relatively small following online or otherwise.
What we do is push hard… consistently. We have a track record of finding a cause and making a difference – i.e., 500toys.org & hopeATL.com – this consistency makes each new cause a little easier for us and more acceptable for others.
Thanks for your support and interest. Typed this from my Blackberry on the way to the Circus with my kids
Oh right, he’s also the 30-year-old father of four young children who, we’re guessing, take up a “little” of their dad’s day. Think you can’t make a difference? Think again.
The coming together of so many musicians to aid Haiti has been inspiring, uplifting, and undeniably powerful. Like so many of the artists we’ve been talking about, Linkin Park’s nonprofit foundation Music For Relief knew they had to do something big to mobilize their famous musician friends.
The result? Download to Donate, an album full of unreleased tracks to raise funds for the victims of the quake. Artists on the album include Alanis Morissette, The All-American Rejects, Dave Matthews Band, Enrique Iglesias, Hoobastank, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, Peter Gabriel, Slash, and of course, Linkin Park.
As Music for Relief’s Executive Director, Whitney Showler has seen the incredible impact of artists stepping forward to make a difference . “This album is special because so many artists and their fans stepped forward to let Music for Relief know they wanted to help the people of Haiti. Boundaries came down and artists and fans of a variety of genres wanted to work together to make a difference.”
She also told me that this isn’t the first time Music For Relief has stepped up to help Haiti. “The people of Haiti were struggling even before the Earthquake in January. Music For Relief raised funds last year to help following the four hurricanes that devastated parts of the nation and we knew we had to help again following this tragedy.”
One thing that has been clear from the very first night after the ground shook on that island in the Caribbean – music cannot be buried in the rubble.
… All thought his disaster-relief trip, [Dr. Steven] Landau heard Haitians “singing lovely songs, just beautiful songs, and clapping hands or being joyous,” he said last week.The Herald
…”There are a lot of problems, a lot of problems in Port-au-Prince right now, but I think they’ve held up better than the U.S. military had expected,” [Peter Kapiloff, Hope for the Children of Haiti Orphanage volunteer] said. “One thing I’ll never forget is all night long, the Haitians were singing hymns. It amazed me how positive they could be in the situation they were in,” he added later.The Daily Collegian
…A cluster of women began singing hymns; soon other women would join them; they would not relent for days. [Author Mischa Berlinski, Haiti resident] New York Review of Book
The Haitian soul is surely wrapped in melody, and the Haitian people use that music to express their pain and their joy; their prayers for mercy; their prayers for the dead. It is only appropriate that music is being created in support of the worldwide relief efforts. Today we invite you to click and listen to the voices being lifted up around the world to bring hope to the people of Haiti.
The most widely publicized song/video created to benefit Haitian relief debuted this past Friday during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. As they did 25 years ago, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie gathered together music royalty to record a new version of “We Are the World”. Mary J Blige, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, and even the original performance of Michael Jackson were featured in the production. Donations support the We Are the World Foundation.
Simon Cowell also put together a star-studded remake – the R.E.M. classic “Everybody Hurts” featuring performers from both sides of the pond such as Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Robbie Williams, Michael Buble, and worldwide phenom Susan Boyle. The single will split all proceeds 50/50 between the Disasters Emergency Committee and The Sun newspaper’s “Helping Haiti’ appeal.
A group of Caribbean musicians and artists insist that “We Shall Rise Again” in this terrific video. Money raised will go to the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund.
It’s not just the professionals who are getting into the act, so to speak. The High School for Recording Arts– also known as Hip Hop High – created their own original video called “Together”. Just like the rest of the videos, you can download to donate and the money will go to Haitian relief efforts.
Finally, we leave you with a reminder of the power of one. In an earlier post we told you about Amy Carol Wolff and her decision to unite the voices of many choirs in a song she had written. On Valentines Day she released the resulting “Brighter Way” featuring choirs from the US and Uganda. Amy encourages everyone to donate here – proceeds going to Care via Citizen Effect, all on behalf of Haiti.
A human voice – singing alone or joined in a chorus – has power. It can calm jittery aftershock nerves and it can bring joy into the darkest of days. It can also bring real help. Support the music. Save the people.
(Editor’s note: Today we welcome guest blogger Noland Hoshino of [B]cause Media.)
A month has passed since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti, its people, and the world. 230,000 people have lost their lives, more will die, and millions are without proper food and water. The recovery has barely begun, yet when you turn on television news or look in a newspaper you’ll find little about the Herculean relief efforts. “New” media isn’t much better. #Haitiis no longer a top trending topic on Twitter. Internet browser main pages feature stories about the best and worst 2010 Super Bowl Commercials and Google Buzz. Have we really already forgotten about the struggling Haitian people? Not everyone.
This past weekend at a Social Entrepreneur conference, I met an amazing woman, Amy Carol Wolff. Amy, an Indiana University graduate student specializing in non-profit management, was personally affected by the Haiti earthquake when a close friend’s family was lost in the rubble after the initial earthquake.
Amy described her conversation: “I listened to a dear friend describe the horror of thinking his wife and two children had been lost in the earthquake.” I was the poorest man in the world, he said. “But that morning, by some miracle, his wife and two little girls walked up to him – rattled, injured, but alive.” And now, I am the richest man in the world, he said.
Amy was moved by the incident and couldn’t help but think about those who weren’t so lucky. Being a singer and songwriter, she sprang into action and recorded a song she had once written, “Brighter Way.” Amy has a beautiful voice and could have easily have made “Brighter Way” her song. Instead, she chose to donate the song and collaborate with choirs across the globe by creating The Haiti Choir Project.
“I’m dedicating this project to honor this family, specifically, the eldest daughter, who loves and is inspired by the beauty of music,” she said. “Imagine choirs from all over the world coming together to sing for Haiti – singing on behalf of those who cannot be heard. This will be a powerful, transformational movement.”
>>> Listen to Amy’s beautiful song, “Brighter Way”
This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2010, the choir mashup of “Brighter Way” by the Haiti Choir Project will be released across the internet on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube, to raise money for the “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project – Haiti Relief Fund (participants of Citizen Effect and Care’s Earthquake Relief Fund).
Here’s how you can participate and donate:
Watch the “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project video on February 14th.
Share it with someone you love (hashtag #Brighterway #HaitiChoirProject)
Donate to “Brighter Way” Haiti Choir Project – Haiti Relief Fund. Instead of buying chocolate or flowers this Valentine’s day, give hope to Haiti.
We must not forget Haiti and her beautiful people. We must not forget those who died, those who survived, and those who are left behind — “Show them there’s a brighter way.”
Thank you, Amy Carol Wolff for sharing your gift to the world and giving Haiti hope. We love you.
Show them there’s a brighter way
A rushing river gaining ground
Bringing life and hope abound
A brighter love
One that reaches deep enough
To see their pain and lift them up in grace
This is purpose
For this we sing
For this we sing
For those who see
There are a ton of ways to get involved with the telethon. You can call 1-877-6-SOS-NOW, text SOS to 50555 to give $10, go to www.soshelpforhaiti.org, or donate directly through Facebook.
BET and P Diddy have both used our WhatGives!? PayPal widgets for their Facebook pages. We think they look pretty snazzy! Head over to www.facebook.com/BET or www.facebook.com/pdiddy to make your donation via Facebook!
BET rocking the WhatGives!? PayPal Widget on their Facebook Page.
The rapmaster himself, Mr. P Diddy, rocking the WhatGives!? PayPal Widget on his Facebook Page.
It has been nearly three weeks since the terrible tragedy occurred in Haiti. The earthquake of that fateful day will ever change the course of Haitian history. It has also made us all more aware of how precious life is, and how a single event can change the way we look at the world. Since that day, we have seen countless news reports and pictures of the devastation, and the human stories continue to emerge. The donations have been astounding – at the time of this writing, $560M has been raised to help the victims. Not all causes can be in the hearts and minds of people like this, but perhaps we can learn a lesson or two from it.
I recently read an article by Dan Pallotta at the Harvard Business Review entitled “Haiti Is a Marketing Lesson.” This is a very intellectual look at the business behind tragedy and I recommend everyone take a moment to read it. The article states:
The reason people are giving so much money to Haiti is simple: They are hearing about it. They are seeing and reading about the catastrophe over and over again on the front page, in prime time, and in viral web appeals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The fact that the harshness of the event is still so fresh on our minds makes it easier to ask for donations and easier for people to give. It would be great if all causes could be headline news and the article touches upon this:
Imagine if we gave humanitarian organizations the freedom to build this kind of demand for a cure for malaria or the end of breast cancer. Imagine if we relinquished our fixation on keeping short-term fundraising costs low and set our gaze on what it would take to “sell” enough charity to solve long-term problems.
I think the article is probably a pie-in-the-sky look at changing the world, but it does provide a good business look at how your cause or non-profit should think in terms of getting exposure. Saturation of media in the tragedy market creates the demand for people to purchase charity. Your job is to figure ways to create the demand in that market.
(Please visit the WhatGives!? dedicated page to Haiti and make a donation for those who continue to suffer from this event.)
There have been many, many fundraisers since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on January 12th. Everything from kids putting collection jarsin their classrooms to George Clooney’s star-studded telethon. Not to mention the non-stop campaigning for donations by the multitude ofcharitable organizations participating in the gargantuan relief effort.
And the events keep on coming, including George Lopez’s event in Los Angeles last night and the BET concert, “SOS Saving Ourselves” airing live from Miami tonight. Both are star studded and sure to generate even more money for Haiti.
It’s great to see everyone continuing to show their support for such a worthy cause, but how much more can we really expect to raise? Between the concerts, telethons, online giving, texting, pancake breakfasts, and car washes, hundreds of millions of dollars have already been given, and yet people move forward with confidence that there are millions more out there to be tapped.
And there are. Because everyone is making it personal. Clooney’s telethon got us off and running by bringing everyone into the tent. There was something for every age and demographic in that show. Now as others look for ways to make a difference they’re going to their own communities for support. They’re making it personal.
George Lopez is tremendously popular with Latinos, with his standup comedy fans, and with families who enjoyed his sitcom. His show reflects that with guests like Andy Garcia, Los Lobos, Ray Romano, and Kobe Bryant. His impressive guest list extends outside the Hispanic demographic but he knows his community and he’ll speak to them. And he’ll raise money.
The BET concert, hosted by Queen Latifah, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Pharrell Williams, will be targeting the urban African American audience with performers such as Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, and Ne-Yo. The powerful triumvirate of hosts will speak to women, to hip-hop kids, to trendsetters; they’ll touch their audience. And they’ll raise money.
Meanwhile, the Fall River, Massachussets, Portuguese-American community sold out 1,000 seats in two weeks for the concert fundraiser they’re holding this weekend. The Tacoma, Washington, French Club is asking its communaute to gather and give. Anything that creates community can be targeted when it’s time to raise money. Roger Federer gathered tennis fans with “Hit for Haiti” in Australia, and Lang Langwill bring together classical music lovers for a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall.
You can do it, too. Your cause can generate the kind of passion and personal involvement we’re seeing right now for Haiti. Show your supporters how their money makes a difference. Demonstrate to them how their volunteer hours are changing lives. Never hesitate to tell them why their involvement is critical – and appreciated. Not in some form letter or pre-printed note. Make it personal, people. That should be every non-profit’s mantra.
For those who do not know me, my name is Jim Turner and I was recently featured here as a collaborator on a project to help raise awareness and, of course, money, for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. It was a great experience and WhatGives!? has asked me to post regularly about how you can use social media creatively to help your nonprofit or cause organization meet its specific goals.
That recent 24 hour radio program really opened my eyes to how social media can be used for social good. It gave our community a place to gather and donate funds, discuss issues related to Haitian relief efforts, and open up other opportunities for nonprofit organizations. I was able to put together this program in a very short period of time (approximately 48 hours), and for the most part using social media tools, I was able to do it efficiently and inexpensively – and was able to benefit charities in the process. In these blog posts I will be discussing some of these ideas, the tools I used, how it was accomplished, and how you might also be able to do the same. WhatGives!? is giving me a platform to bring you that information and I want to thank them for allowing me to post my ideas and information here. You can also follow along with me on Twitter and at my blog at One By One Media.
If there are any questions that nonprofits have or if you are a person in charge of fund raising, promotion, marketing, or other areas, please feel free to ask any questions here and we will be happy to help. The power of social media can be harnessed by you as it has by others. Let us help you accomplish your goals.
During #SXSW this week, every time you Check-in on Foursquare in Austin or use #sxswHaiti on Twitter, Microsoft and PayPal will donate $0.25 toward Save the Children up to $15,000! Can't make it to Austin and want to help? Make a donation, share with your friends, and copy this widget to your blog or Facebook page!
There are a ton of ways to get involved with the telethon. You can call 1-877-6-SOS-NOW, text SOS to 50555 to give $10, go to 
