Woodmen of the World Makes Giving Personal Again
Omaha, Neb. – Building on recent digital developments in charitable giving, Woodmen of the World has put its own spin on the micro-philanthropy movement and created RedBasket.org, a website dedicated to connecting individuals who need help with those who can give it.
“The idea behind Red Basket is an extension of what we’ve always done at Woodmen of the World. Our members have been helping others since we were founded in 1890. We created Red Basket in 2012 as a way to bring our current model of community giving into the digital age,” said Woodmen of the World President and CEO Larry King.
RedBasket.org allows individuals to donate time or money directly to people or projects that need help. The website features stories of individuals who need financial support due to an accident or illness, or who need assistance in rebuilding after a natural disaster or act of nature.
Individuals or non-profit organizations can also request support for community improvement projects such as building new parks, offering a literacy service or improvements for common use areas that impact the general population.
Woodmen of the World provides funding for Red Basket’s administrative fees, so 100 percent of donations go to the individual or project chosen. Donors can follow the story to see how their money is put to use and the donation is tax deductible, to the extent allowed by law.
Colleen Maciejewski, President of Red Basket, said, “It’s a really simple idea that works. When coupled with the power of social media, many small acts can add up to make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Individuals who choose to donate on Redbasket.org can share a link to their chosen story on Facebook, Twitter, or via email. By sharing the story, others will also pitch in and help support the cause.
Red Basket relies on the personal appeal of giving. “People are much more likely to give when they feel a personal connection – whether they know the family or the park being improved, or when they can put a face and name to the individual they are helping. They read a story and something connects with their own personal story or interests,” Maciejewski said, “We help make that personal connection happen.”
If you know someone who is starting a grassroots community improvement project, going through a medical crisis or recovering from a loss in a natural disaster, accident or act of nature, contact Red Basket at http://RedBasket.org/ask to find out how their story can be featured on the website. Red Basket is currently being tested in select counties of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Carolina. Plans for a nation-wide launch will be announced in mid-summer, 2013.
For more information visit RedBasket.org.
Red Basket, Inc., founded in 2012, is a web-based, non-profit 501(c)3 micro-philanthropy corporation headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
Woodmen of the World was founded in 1890 as a not-for-profit. We give back to our member-customers and the communities we live in. Today, Woodmen of the World offers insurance, annuities,
mutual funds,* and 529 College Savings Plans.* More than 700,000 Woodmen of the World member-customers across the country share a commitment to family, community and country. To learn more about Woodmen of the World, visit woodmen.org.