"Four basic principles that are valuable for any non-profit"

A charity in the US which successfully uses online social media to help local communities provides lessons for other non-profits, writes Eva Maria, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Zealand.

While browsing online recently, I came across a fantastic charity called Epic Change that I felt needs to have its word spread to those who haven’t yet come across it.

It is a charity that is behind many successful American social media campaigns such as Tweetsgiving and others. They use a very similar engagement process for all their projects, which is way too cool to be kept a secret.

In their words: “Epic Change amplifies the voices and impact of grassroots changemakers and social entrepreneurs.
 Epic Change collects donations from people like you and I, and put this into communities with a lack of resources to give people the opportunity to utilise their skills to come up with an entrepreneurial idea in their area, using the micro loan given to them by Epic Change.

“As an online-operating project, you can bet that the majority of your donation will actually be going toward those loans! 

An inspiring story of Epic Change’s $35,000 impact on a School in Tanzania can be found here.”

I was totally sold on the idea after reading this – what an amazing opportunity to help a community, as well as give them the opportunity to have a ‘story’ to share for the rest of their lives.

 Now to go a step further, I want to dissect Epic Change’s process as an organisation, because it really is a fantastic one that utilises four basic principles that are valuable for any non-profit, or even business organisation who want to achieve success online.

Epic Change’s 4 Step Process

Step 1: Raise Money First of all, after reading all about the amazing work Epic Change or their project is doing, they ask for a donation. They make it easy by allowing you a number of online and offline ways to donate, and in some cases will actually spell out what influence exactly your amount will have on those they are helping.

Step 2: Make a Change This goes on from Step 1 – they actually tell you how your donation will influence others. In the example of Epic Change’s actual website, they are very transparent that your funds will go towards giving out loans to help those wanting to create positive change within communities. How cool is that! You’re contributing to business growth just by doing a good deed. It’s based on the ‘teach them how to fish’ principle, and boy, is that powerful when you know your funds are going towards something.

Step 3: Share the Story By donating, you are becoming part of the story that you can pass on. It’s a feel-good factor that your donations are contributing to the success of others.

Step 4: Pay it Forward Become a part of history! Some of Epic Change’s projects offer you the option to spread the word through your networks online by a one-click action that will send out a message to say you’re supporting the cause. What more would you want – a whole army of people that are your personal supporters out there to their networks. How cool!

 So are you using the four step process in your social media? Give it a try…you never know what might come out of it!

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About me:

“I am a family coach, international speaker, social media expert and author of the bestselling parenting book ‘You Shut Up!’ Though Russian-born, I currently live in New Zealand, and today work with various groups, businesses and families.

“I am on a full-on mission to help improve 10,000,000 adult-youth relationships around the world.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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