Carbonfund.org

Typically, philanthropy is an adult activity.  After all, adults have the money.  Adults have the time to research and choose where to donate that money from among the bewildering number of worthy charities, causes, and organizations.

Markmakers (www.markmakers.org)  is the result of one family’s desire to open the world of charitable giving to children.  Its innovative website introduces children to the concept of charitable giving and social activism by giving them a safe environment in which to make their first charitable donations, including the option of offsetting carbon with Carbonfund.org.

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This pink scooter lady raised over $11k for cancer charities.
Examiner.com - USA

In my routine of checking all my Internet sources for scooter-related news, I came across  this heartwarming story of a scooterist using her preferred mode of two-wheeled transport as a way to raise money for cancer research. More »

Grand Prize Winner
Ellie Morse: Invisible Children

Overview and Report

THE BETTER HOUR Contest First Prize winner, Ellie Morse of Dickson High School in Dickson, Tennessee, will receive the $10,000 top prize and award, to be presented by her Congressional Representative John Tanner (D-8) in Washington, D.C. on May 20th.

She wins the first prize for her public service to raise money for “Invisible Children,” for whom she provided supplies to several schools in Northern Uganda, the war torn area where children have been kidnapped and left without parents, hope, provision, or education. Ellie initiated creative events, fairs, and projects at her school, and engaged many people in her community, not only to raise money, but also to raise awareness of the plight of the forgotten children of Uganda. More »

How much giving do online contests and networks really generate?

By Georgia Levenson Keohane
Updated Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at 7:33 AM ET (But worth repeating on Thrillionaires!)

http://www.slate.com/id/2183542/

Can social networks and virtual communities revolutionize charitable giving? Many nonprofit organizations are counting on these online forces to expand their universe of donors. And a number of foundations are testing the potential by underwriting the launch of More »

People are always figuring out new ways to make money on the internet, and Seth Godin is one of those people.

His Squidoo site lets other people try to make a buck too, by creating pages that attract viewers.

I’m always happy for people to make a righteous fortune! But what really thrills me about Squidoo is the opportunity for nonprofits and the people who love them to have another way to reach out and make new friends.
Look at this! More »

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Lori Sinchar

What began as a hobby in 2004 at 6 years of age for Raeann Sleith of North Huntingdon has evolved into a way of raising money for organizations involved with helping her older brother Derek, who in 1996 was diagnosed with Cri du Chat syndrome along with Persuasive Development Disorder. More »

Ellie’s Run for Africa is the God-given dream of a young American girl to help families and children in Africa. Combining educational efforts in area churches and schools with a 5K run and family fun day, Ellie’s Run for Africa raises awareness of and funding for Africans who struggle to meet basic needs such as health care, food, water, shelter, clothing and education. More »

On Saturday afternoon I arrived at the Long Branch Sheraton. I felt like an impostor. Have you ever seen video of athletes arriving at a hotel, or Romanian gymnasts arriving for the floor competition? They walk around in athletic gear, with big bags full of sporty clothes. That was me, and I certainly stood out amongst the black tie wedding guests wandering the hotel.

After checking in, I drove to the Expo where I obtained my bib, No. 7419– the numbers add up to number 21, so I know I’m a winner! (For anyone aware of my cruise blackjack-athon ….) Luckily I did not have any cash on me or I might have proudly bought all of the NJ Marathon gear being sold in the tent while we waited on a long line to activate our chips. (Timing chips are tied onto the shoelace, they are supposed to start timing as you cross the start line and then they are cut off at the finish line. More »

Teenagers are supposed to be sullen and self-absorbed, but Rachel S. Rosenfeld never got the memo.

Nicholas Kristof
The New York Times

Rachel is a high school junior in Harrison, N.Y., who came down with a painful intestinal ailment that forced her to miss the entire 2006-7 school year. So she resolved that if she couldn’t go to school herself, she could at least help other kids who wanted to.
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March 10, 2008
Forbes, NY USA

Billionaire Shi Zhengrong, founder of Suntech Power, has channeled his energy into varied causes. One is building housing for the poor in his hometown of Yangzhong.

Shi Zhengrong came home to China in 2001 after getting an engineering degree in Australia and working as a solar energy researcher. He didn’t have much time to spend on philanthropy. And he certainly didn’t have the money. More »