We are so lucky in today’s world that we’re able to connect with anyone around the globe at a click of a mouse. We have the opportunity first hand to see what’s going on at any given time and not just through news sources but through social media. We can see directly from the source what’s happening, and how people are feeling about it.
This ability to connect benefits grassroots charity initiatives immensely. They’re able to show people directly, at next to no cost, what they’re doing and how donations are making a difference.
When it comes to donations, many people don’t act because they don’t feel connected to the cause. Maybe the initiative for disaster relief, or malaria medication or education has never been a concern to them or the people their money would help feel too far away to spark an urgent need to help. However, connecting through social media allows people to share stories and see the impact of these issues. It makes our world closer together and the issues in it closer to us.
The reason I was drawn into Urunji’s mission was because of this social connection. They’re transparent with their projects on social media through videos, photos, and blog posts. They also allow you to donate directly to a particular need such as: sponsor a child (where all money goes directly to the child every month), donate a meal, buy a mosquito net, etc… All of these are specific and clear to the donor what it is their actually contributing to. Transparency as to what is happening right now and how you can be a part of it is very powerful.
Although by distance you can be very far from something, connecting online through story, video, and photos, and knowing what’s happening in real time removes that distance. Charity initiatives can help people feel closer to their mission through social means, hopefully encouraging more people to become a part of it.
About the Author
Ashley Dueck graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in International Business. She has a passion for event planning, fundraising, and online marketing strategy. Her experience allowed her the opportunity to be the Marketing Coordinator for the first ever World Elephant Day that gained worldwide support from elephant organizations and advocates around the globe.
