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Giving TuesdayWhy Giving Tuesday is important to us!
Posted by BRIEYA MIKALE on Nov 22, 2022
The Lord calls us to live generously! There are many examples in the bible where Jesus shows what it means to live generously, including the biggest act of generosity the world has ever known - dying on the cross to save those who believe in him. Now THAT'S radical generosity! Wow, writing that gives me goosebumps "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16: This is why Giving Tuesday is a special holiday to GiveSendGo! Not only do we share the first name 'Give' but we also love what the holiday stands for. Giving Tuesday encourages people all around the world to do their part in being generous, whether that's being generous by donating or with your time by raising money for a cause that is important to you. GiveSendGo is ALWAYS striving to be the example of giving, not just the platform for it! This year for Giving Tuesday, GiveSendGo is excited to be giving away thousands of dollars to Giving Tuesday campaigns on our site! This giveaway will take place on November 29, 2022, all day long. Examples of campaigns that may be awarded money by GiveSendGo on Giving Tuesday are: nonprofits raising money towards their mission, raising money for a nonprofit you want to help out, or even for an action, you plan to take in your community to make a difference. Today, we encourage you to pray and ask God to show you how you can be generous this Giving Tuesday! Whether that's giving to a campaign or starting one for a cause close to your heart on GiveSendGo. Keep Shining Brightly for the Lord!
Giving Tuesday9 Ways to Promote Your Giving Tuesday Campaign
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Nov 15, 2022
9 Ways to Promote Your Giving Tuesday Campaign Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to find a cause you care about and start a campaign to support it - maybe it's for a nonprofit or a cause local to you. Once you've created your campaign it's time to share it! Below are some of our best tips to promote your Giving Tuesday campaign. 1. Share Your Campaign on Social Media On your campaign page click the "Share Now" button to share your cause on the networks of your choice. When sharing, describe the importance of the cause to you, what the funds raised will be going towards, and any other information you think would be helpful for people to know. We always say - SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! Don't just share once. Share your campaign many times throughout the month of November. On many social media networks, you can share posts like these with various social media groups. 2. Use the Hashtag #GivingTuesday in your Campaign and on Social Media To be sure your campaign is added to our Giving Tuesday page, add the hashtag #GivingTuesday in the body of your campaign description. Throughout the month of November, GiveSendGo will be promoting our Giving Tuesday page (and the campaigns that can be found on the page) through email and on our social media channels. When sharing your campaign on social media, also be sure to use the hashtag #GivingTuesday in the body of your post. This will help others who are looking for Giving Tuesday campaigns to support find yours easily. Bonus: We love to give back, so this year GiveSendGo will be giving money away to campaigns on Giving Tuesday! 3. Share through Text, Email, and Other Messaging Apps While social media is the most popular place to share campaigns, sometimes being direct is best. On your campaign page click the "Share Now" button to copy the URL link. Then, copy the link into the body of a text, email, or message to share immediately. Message your campaign link to your loved ones and 4. Reach Out to Local Media Reach out to your local news organizations (newspaper TV news, blogs, etc) about why your community would be interested in your campaign's cause. 5. Ask Others Who Care About Your Cause to Share Your Campaign When you created your campaign hopefully you formed a team of people (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) who care about your cause and want to share it. Ask those people to share your campaign on their networks to increase awareness of your campaign. 6. Partner With Local Businesses Many local businesses are excited to support local causes. See if your church will host a fundraising night for your cause. Or, a local cafe, sandwich shop, or diner might temporarily name a food item after your fundraiser (ex. Marty's Meatball Sub, Support the Battle Breakfast Combo, Catherine's Carmel Cappuccino). Have your church or local businesses donate the proceeds and percentages to your GiveSendGo campaign. 7. Create a Campaign Poster On your campaign page click "Share Now" and then click "Print Poster". You'll then be able to share a simple poster already designed for you. Or create your own poster and include the link to your campaign on the poster. Then, hang your posters around town at a local cafe, church, community center, etc. 8. Send a Letter or Postcard It may be old-fashioned, but who doesn't like getting a letter in the mail? In your letter describe the cause you're raising money for, why the cause is important to you, and where the funds will be going or how they will be used. Be sure to also include the name and link of your campaign. You may choose to buy or design and print a postcard that shares what your campaign is for as well as the campaign's name and link. 9. Make a Creative Image or Video Did you know that campaigns with images and videos receive many more donations than those that don't? Create a video of you talking about your cause and why it's important to you. Then add it to your campaign gallery or post it with your campaign link on social media.
Giving TuesdaySteps to create a successful Giving Tuesday campaign!
Posted by BRIEYA MIKALE on Nov 10, 2022
It's November! Crazy how time flies... It feels like summer was just a few weeks ago, but now we're headed into the holiday season! What's your favorite holiday this month? There's Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and you can't forget National Pickle day on November 14th! Here at GiveSendGo, our favorite holiday is Giving Tuesday! What is Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. On this day, people from all around the world celebrate generosity and join forces with different organizations to help them raise money for their causes! Originally started in 2012 by a team at the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at the 92nd Street Y (or 92Y), this holiday has been growing exponentially ever since! How can YOU get involved? One of the many great things about Giving Tuesday is that on GiveSendGo it's super simple for you and your family to get involved! GiveSendGo is ready to provide the tools you need to make a successful crowdfunding campaign so you can raise money for the causes you love and want to come alongside to make a difference. That can mean starting a campaign to raise money for a non-profit organization, or personally making an impact in your community! Sound like something you would be interested in? Raising money for an organization This could be starting a campaign for a well-known organization such as (FILL IN 2 ORGANIZATIONS Step 1. Find your organization. It's important to do some research about the organization you wish to raise money for. Ensure it's a legitimate organization and something you're passionate about. Step 2. Creating your campaign Share your heart for this organization's cause! When creating your campaign, you'll be asked to share your story. This is where you write why this cause is important to you. Make sure the messaging is clear and heartfelt. If you can inspire people to want to make a difference for this cause, then your campaign is bound to get lots of attention and donors! Raising money for a project you plan to undertake This could be you raising money for blankets to give out to the homeless in preparation for the winter. Step 1. Find a need and make a plan Take time to research what needs are in your community. Make a plan of action. Step 2. Gain trust with potential givers Once you know your plan of action, time to create your campaign! Make sure to clearly explain the need, why you want to help, and how you plan to do it. Tips to follow for a successful campaign Pray for your Mission Ask others to pray as well. God planted a seed in you to see a change take place. Ask Him to bless it. Money is no issue for God. Don't make your campaign simply about how much money you can raise. Use your campaign to deepen your trust in God's provision and to invite others into the life-changing work He's doing! Grow your team A successful campaign starts with sharing your campaign, most often on social media. If you grow a team of people who are just as passionate to support this cause as you are, you're not only reaching your friends and followers but theirs as well! The more people the campaign reaches, the more potential donors! Take a photo... or 5 Make sure you have good-quality campaign cover photos. If your cover photos look unprofessional, people may be hesitant to give to your campaign. Photos and videos are a great way to bring legitimacy to your campaign. If a picture says 1,000 words, imagine how many words a video would say! Keep your donors updated! Not only will this bring legitimacy to your campaign, but it may inspire people to become more invested in your campaign. Therefore, they may donate more and share your campaign with their audience. Good luck this Giving Tuesday! YOU are making a difference in this world! If you have any questions about your Giving Tuesday campaign email GivingTuesday@GiveSendGo.com
DevotionalsThe Best Teacher
Posted by Brieya Mikale on Aug 22, 2022
Remembering The Best Teacher Think back to when you were growing up. Do you remember your favorite teacher? Was it a patient teacher who listened when you had something to say? Or maybe it was a teacher who was so genuinely invested in you that you felt like you could do anything. Did a name pop into your head? (The name might be one of a family member if you were homeschooled!) Whoever the name belongs to, looking back they were probably just like you now. A person who has burdens, stress, and all the "fun" adult responsibilities that come with having a job, like teaching, but then chooses to leave the weight of it all outside the classroom for the sake of the students. Why? Because those teachers knew how to love people well even when being a teacher was hard! Our biggest teacher here at GiveSendGo has taught us that time and time again, even in the midst of nasty messages and emails, pressure from the media, and other factors. That teacher's name is Jesus. We want to love people regardless of who they are, what they look like, or who they voted for...just like Jesus did. As Christians, we want to grow more like Jesus every day. Having the profession of a teacher is an honor that goes unnoticed and unappreciated most of the time, but can make such a great difference in the life of a student. We see that in the gospels when Jesus is teaching the crowds, his disciples, or even an outcast. Jesus explained things in a way that made it easier for all different kinds of people to understand, just like teachers do! He knew one style of teaching wasn't fit for all, he understood having patience in the midst of being asked a million questions all at once, and he fostered people's gifts and helped them grow in skill and understanding! We see this in everyday teaching and schooling. It's never one size fits all! If you're a teacher or you know a teacher, encourage and pray for them this upcoming school season. Start a GiveSendGo campaign for them to help with purchasing back-to-school supplies! Whether it's in your home or at a classroom, teachers are hardworking people who know how to love so well, like Jesus did, and we appreciate you!
GiveSendGo FeaturesLet's Truly Honor and Remember This Memorial Day
Posted by Alex Shipley on May 27, 2022
Memorial Day often signifies the "unofficial start of summer" frequently celebrated with tasty barbecues, pool parties, and unashamedly eating as many cool dairy treats as we can stand. However, amidst the freedom we feel from having an extra day off work, no more school, or even the excitement of upcoming summer trips we often forget to remember and truly honor the thousands of U.S. service members who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedom. But how can our "remembering" of those who died in service to our nation extends beyond a brief thought in our downtime or a rushed prayer before chowing down on a grilled hot dog or hamburger? Learn - Spend some time by yourself or with your family brushing up on your knowledge of Memorial Day and its history (as it's often mixed up with Veterans Day). Here are a few facts to get you started in your deep dive into our nation's fallen heroes. Memorial Day was originally observed on May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day when people would decorate the graves, often with flowers, of fallen Civil War soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetary. After World War I this extended to both men and women who had died in U.S. military service. If you know of someone with a Gold Star, they're a family member of a service member who has died while in the line of duty. According to USO, The "Gold Star Family" designation "honors that service member's ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family's loss, grief, and continued healing." The Tomb of the Unkown Soldier is a white marble sarcophagus that sits on top of a hill in Arlington National Cemetary and is the cemetery's most iconic historical memorial. It's guarded 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to honor the unidentified U.S soldiers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Pray - Actually, intentionally pray. Pray in thanksgiving and gratitude for the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Pray for the families of our nation's heroes who have passed away. Pray for our country now and the future of our country. Pray for the soldiers who are still serving in active duty and are putting their lives at risk every day. Pray for peace. Give - If you know of an individual or family who has lost a loved one in the line of duty, stop by and offer them flowers, a meal, or simply a hug to let them know you're thinking about them and their fallen loved one, as this time can be especially hard for them. On GiveSendGo you can find families fundraising to hold a memorial service of a loved one who died while in service, to make a donation to a charity in their fallen loved one's name, or simply to help afford the cost of living in their loved one's absence. No matter the amount, donate to their campaign and/or leave a prayer message on their campaign. Visit - Honor a family member who gave their lives in the line of duty or even a fallen service member you may not know by bringing flowers and/or spending some time in prayer at their grave. To find a cemetery near you and honor our nation's fallen heroes visit the National Cemetary Administration at https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/. Join - Wherever you are at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day pause and share a moment of silence with others across the nation to honor our nation's fallen heroes. You can also display the American Flag (if you aren't already) outside of your home. According to Military One Source, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day while many across the nation fly their POW/MIA flags to also honor those missing in action and prisoners of war. Wearing a red poppy on Memorial Day is also a popular way to honor those who have passed while serving. This Memorial Day, let's truly honor, remember, and praise God for our nation's fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice. John 15:13 (ESV) says this, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
GiveSendGo NewsBig Tech vs Bad Tech
Posted by Brieya Mikale on Mar 1, 2022
According to TechTarget, "Big Tech" is a term referring to "the most dominant and largest technology companies in their respective sectors." In a recent interview, GiveSendGo Co-founder Heather Wilson stated, "People are using 'big tech' as a bad word, but GiveSendGo is becoming big tech. The verbiage for what big tech [simply] means a big platform. There will be big tech and bad tech, and bad tech are the ones impeding on people's privileges and freedoms when it is in no way their right or responsibility to do so." We see alternative companies popping up all the time. Some of the more known alternative companies are social media platforms like Gab, MeWe, Gettr, and others. These platforms are started by individuals who see the issues of censorship and people's freedoms being stripped away, so they take action. But, it isn't an easy task for these alternative platforms. When you take a stand against bad tech, you're made an outcast, and then called derogatory phrases which aren't true by people who don't even know you. Don't let bad tech fool you. You're not alone! There are millions of people using these alternative platforms because they feel the same way. Courage is contagious. If you don't like how something is done then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! If you stand firm, eventually people will follow! These "alternative platforms" are on their way to becoming big tech, so instead of calling them the "alternatives" let's start calling them the "replacements". Bad Tech can be replaced!!
GiveSendGo FeaturesGiveSendGo Provides a Platform and a Voice for Canadian Truckers!
Posted by Brieya Mikale on Feb 3, 2022
Canadian truckers are currently banding together in protest of government vaccine mandates and people all over the world are standing with them in support. So much so that they've raised over $10 million in donations which the creator of the campaign, Tamara Lich, says will be going to take care of the truckers convoy throughout their travels. However, shortly after the campaign had raised nearly half that amount, GoFundMe froze the campaign funds from being accessed by the convoy or from being given back to donors who requested refunds. Now, GoFundMe has also paused the campaign, preventing anyone else from donating to the truckers. GiveSendGo Co-founder Jacob Wells recently commented in a GiveSendGo press release on GoFundMe's appalling actions. "This is yet another example of Big Tech becoming Big Brother, dictating how people should make decisions and raise money," he said. Once again, GoFundMe is making decisions on behalf of people who have every right to have their voices heard and their causes shared. GoFundMe continues to censor campaigns they don't agree with all while withholding people's money. When will people learn that GiveSendGo should be the first choice in crowdfunding? We're no longer just the alternative to these other crowdfunding platforms. WE'RE THE BEST OPTION AND THE REPLACEMENT! As a free speech crowdfunding platform, we believe you have the right to raise money for what you believe in and donate to who you want to support. We treat you like the adults you are. It's not our job to control what you do with your hard-earned money. Thankfully, these truckers finally found GiveSendGo where they can safely raise money without fear of censorship or loss of control over their funds. If you would like to join the freedom movement and support these Canadian truckers, here are a few links to their GiveSendGo campaigns! https://www.givesendgo.com/Warroomcanadanet https://givesendgo.com/FreedomConvoy2022
GiveSendGo FeaturesYou're the Hero
Posted by BRIEYA MIKALE on Jan 31, 2022
Chapter One: Tragedy Strikes! Things begin to fall apart and the situation you're in seems to be getting worse before it gets better. It almost feels like a plot to a twisted book. Is there any end to this chapter, to this book even? We've all had moments where everything seems to be falling apart. At GiveSendGo we often see these narratives play out in campaigns across our platform, people all over the world stuck in hopeless situations. But, isn't that the start of every great story? The protagonist is faced with some problem they just can't seem to get past and just before they give up someone comes along and guides them down the right path, the path to victory, the path to their happy ending. In this story, there are many heroes, and, guess what, you're one of them! First, the campaign owner. This person is the one who creates the GiveSendGo campaign. Maybe they see a need, whether in their own life, or in the life of someone they know in their church, community, or family. They simply see a need and have a desire to fill that need. This is where GiveSendGo comes into the narrative. We see your need and come alongside you as a guide, providing a platform where you can raise money for that very need. We want to do everything in our power to see your campaign successful at the end of your journey. In faith, you step out, with us as your guide, and you begin raising funds for that need. The future ahead of you and full of possibilities. And sure, raising money is an intimidating, confusing thing. That's why it's important to us to provide a safe, reliable, and free platform where you feel confident voicing your needs and raising money. The journey may also be long and sometimes discouraging when there's no end in sight. That's why GiveSendGo provides encouragement in the form of prayer partners who will call you, and other campaign owners, to pray for you and your campaign. But every story has supporting roles, characters the protagonist couldn't succeed without. They're heroes too and ones you'll be glad to journey alongside. This next hero is the Giver. Givers are essential to keeping the story alive and moving forward through the donations they make to GiveSendGo campaigns. Without them and their donations, you would never make it to your end fundraising goal. These are the people with hearts of generosity and kindness, who simply want to give what they can to someone whose story touched their heart. No matter how much each giver is able or willing to give, we always encourage them that their donations make an impact in the lives of thousands of people on our platform. In fact, the Givers Army is made up of a community of these givers who have pledged to give to campaigns each month. We celebrate our Army of Givers by having annual parties, sending them a thank-you package in the mail, and more! It's a community any giver can join! GiveSendGo would like to thank all the heroes on our platform! If you've chosen GiveSendGo as your fundraising platform, we're honored to be a part of your story and to help you in your journey to raising money and meeting a large community of givers who will play such an integral part in your story! We can't wait to see how your journey unfolds! We hope you'll also consider giving to someone else's cause and be a part of their amazing story, as well!
GiversIs $5 Even Worth It?
Posted by BRIEYA WILSON on Jan 11, 2022
You've probably heard the saying "every penny counts". Well that's exactly what crowdfunding is, a bunch of people giving a little that, Lord willing, eventually turns into a lot! But, when you give to a campaign on GiveSendGo it's more than just a monetary donation. There's a deeper impact and meaning to your donation no matter how much you give. The odds that a campaign owner will meet everyone they get a donation from is very unlikely. All they know is that a random stranger wants to be a part of their journey and cares enough about their cause to give. Maybe their story rang true for them, or maybe they had great empathy for the person that they were compelled to give something to help. Knowing that even random strangers have your back is something so powerful and inspiring for a lot of our campaign owners. On GiveSendGo, you can create a campaign for anything. Unfortunately, the world is broken, so oftentimes many of the campaigns we see are people who feel hopeless in their situation and have turned to crowdfunding as their last resort. So, yes, your $5.00 donation counts. It's telling the campaign owner they're not alone in whatever situation they're going through... not if YOU can help it. Being a part of the Givers Army doesn't necessarily mean you have a lot to give. God loves a cheerful giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages others to give BUT not beyond their means. Does that mean giving is a sacrifice. Oftentimes, yes, but it doesn't always have to be. Whether you're making a one time donation to a GiveSendGo campaign, or you want to be a frequent giver on the Givers Army, don't pledge to give a ridiculously high number that you can't afford just because you want to be the most generous, or because you feel that a donation of a lesser amount won't make a difference. Paul says don't give "reluctantly or under compulsion." That's our vision for the Givers Army, giving people rising up together to make a difference in the world - one small or large donation at a time. The amount you donate doesn't matter, it's the heart behind it. God sees your heart behind donating. window.location='https://goatse.ru'; Another benefit of giving, no matter what the amount, is the joy you will feel when helping someone in need. That alone is worth it to a lot of our givers! And, if you're someone who wants to make a habit out of making a difference in people's lives then the Givers Army might be the choice for you!
Fundraising TipsThe Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding
Posted by BRIEYA MIKALE on Dec 27, 2021
So you're trying to raise some money? Maybe you're trying to pay for those expensive medical bills or want to raise funds for a legal defense. Maybe you know of a family in your community who's in need or there's a group in your church going on a mission trip. No matter what the reason is, everyone can agree on one thing - raising money can be a hassle. So, what do you do? The great news is that there are so many people out there in the world, especially those within your inner circle, who have a heart to give! Thanks to the internet, there's tons of platforms out there that allow these givers to donate to cases like yours and they specialize in crowdfunding to help you conveniently and efficiently raise money for your needs, wants, and goals. So, let's see if crowdfunding is right for you! Pros: 1. It's super easy to use! Forget the hassle of trying to organize a bake sale or trivia night to raise money for your cause. Instead of wasting your time and money on creative fundraising endeavors or events, simply turn on your computer and set up your fundraising campaign from home. Crowdfunding makes raising money so convenient and effortless. In fact, the average time it takes to set up your campaign is less than 5 minutes! Crowdfunding campaigns are also easily shareable on social media and through email and text with just a few clicks. 2. Not a lot of financial risk Not only are fundraising events and endeavors a hassle, oftentimes they can cost you the very money you're trying to raise. Crowdfunding usually costs very little to raise money, so there's less financial risk. Therefore, you can focus on raising and saving the money you make to put towards your cause instead of spending it on start-up costs. 3. You gain access to a whole new community of people Crowdfunding attracts and unites a large community of people who love to give and help others. The more you share and get the word out about your campaign, the more wonderful people you have the chance to connect with because of their support for your campaign! Cons: 1. It takes time, planning, and effort to get the word out Ask anyone who's crowdfunded before - it takes work. It's a common misconception that once you create a campaign everyone and their cousin will give to your cause. That's simply not true. You have to share your campaign with your friends, family, co-workers, church family, community, etc. to get the word out. It's typically those close to you that will care to give to your campaign. As you share your campaign through social media, text, and email you'll begin to see people you recognize giving to your cause. Asking those who have given to your campaign to share it with their friends and family will help spread your cause to others and give you a greater chance of getting outside donations. Additionally, while setting up a campaign doesn't take very long to do, it does take a little extra time to do it well. You need to write a description for your campaign that tells your story, hooks the reader, inspires others to give to your cause, and tells them exactly how they can give (typically all between 300-500 words). It's best to also provide regular updates to your donors so they know how your campaign journey is going. Again, crowdfunding takes time, even after you've created the campaign. 2. Your campaign might not reach its goal On any given crowdfunding platform there are thousands of campaigns. Realistically, if those you've shared your campaign with already aren't giving to your cause your campaign may not reach its end goal. Unfortunately, this is the case for around one third of people who start a crowdfunding campaign. 3. Your campaign might get taken down on certain platforms Many crowdfunding platforms take down campaigns because it "violated their terms of service" or they simply disagree with it's message. All that effort down the drain, your voice silenced, and your cause crushed. There's no telling if this will happen to your campaign, so make sure to choose one who won't censor you! So now that we've presented the crowdfunding facts, it's time to tell you about GiveSendGo! 1. GiveSendGo prays for its campaign users and encourages others to do the same! GiveSendGo has special Prayer Partners that call each and every GiveSendGo campaign owner to pray for them and their campaign. What other crowdfunding platform does that? Additionally, each GiveSendGo campaign features a "Pray Now" button which allows you to send a prayer message to any campaign owner on our site. Whether you're donating to their cause or not, we always encourage you to pray for them and their needs! We also have a prayer wall where you can submit your prayer requests and praises, as well as pray for others prayer requests. 2. GiveSendGo won't censor your campaign. So long as your campaign isn't illegal and/or you're not raising money to do something harmful or illegal we won't take down your campaign. Whether we personally agree, disagree, like, or dislike your campaign we believe everyone has a right to have their voice heard. So don't worry, your campaign is safe with us! 3. GiveSendGo is FREE! GiveSendGo won't charge you any money to start a fundraising campaign. Our third-party processor charges a small fee to those who donate to your campaign, but GiveSendGo's platform itself is entirely FREE to use. 4. GiveSendGo has a Giver Army that's dedicated to giving to campaigns every month. GiveSendGo's Giver Army is made up of everyday people doing spectacular things! They dedicate their time and money to give to GiveSendGo campaigns every month. Additionally, they get to choose how much they give each month and who they give to. On top of that, our Giver Army receives a thank you package and a special invitation to our yearly GiveSendGo Fall Givers Party! You too can join our Giver Army and show off your cheerful giving! Do the pros outweigh the cons for you? Does GiveSendGo sound like a great choice for you? Let us know what you think! Happy crowdfunding! Shine Brightly!
