Dear friends, family and everyone else who has stumbled onto this page,

Let me set the stage…the big one was my 30th birthday in 2009 – that was the year Cause It’s My Birthday was born and we raised $20,000 for Netting Nations and for malaria nets in Ghana.

Ever since then, I haven’t been able to shake the power of social media to help drive social change. I eat, live and breathe in this space.

I’m at it again! This year, I’m celebrating my Sweet Sixteen (x2) and 100% of online donations and donations at my birthday party will go to She’s The First.

She’s The First supports girls education in the developing world. The partner school I’ve chosen is Starfish One By One School in  Solola, Guatemala. Only $300 provides a scholarship to one girl for one year.

I am so incredibly passionate about education and girls. Education is quite simply not an option for many girls in many parts of the world. Often it’s because families can’t afford the very basic school costs. I’ve researched nonprofits in this space and have been a supporter of She’s The First for the past year. I carefully picked this school in Guatemala and have talked to volunteers who have been there on the ground and met the students. Your donations go DIRECTLY to support these students and provide them with a future that is not possible without your support.

Please join me in making a donation today and reaching my goal of $16,000.

Every dollar counts. Thank you for your donations and for supporting my birthday wish.

If you’d like to help spread the word, please post this message to your social media networks:

I’m supporting @sloane’s birthday fundraiser to support #girlseducation through @shesthefirst: http://slne.us/sweetsixteenx2

More about She’s The First:

She’s the First is a not-for-profit that sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping them be the first in their families to graduate. In the process, She’s the First fosters leadership and self-awareness in young Americans, by inspiring them to lead creative fundraisers and correspond with sponsored students. Our efforts shape a rising generation of well-educated global leaders, future philanthropists, and cross-cultural communicators.

Come out and celebrate in person!

Tuesday, 10/11 in Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, 10/13 in New York, NY

Thank you,
Sloane

It has been such a tremendous journey to watch charity: water evolve, grow and change lives over the past 5 years. Five years ago (and five birthdays ago), charity: water’s Founder, Scott Harrison, had a dream to bring safe and clean drinking water to those who need it around the world. More than just providing water, he wanted to find a way for people in the affected areas to be a part of that process, provide them with opportunities to drill wells and know how to fix the water source locally.

In that time, they have donated an always-promised 100% of public donations directly to fund water projects, working in 19 countries with 25 different partners and funded 4,282 projects affecting 2,060,000 people. Wow.

The charity: water 5th Anniversary September Campaign continues to amaze this year. The place where digital and fundraising collide are nowhere more evident than at charity: water. From the beginning their videos and outreach has been unique in that it’s been highly visually appealing and personal. This year steps that up a notch with personal thank you videos from Scott and the staff. Many of them don’t have high page views but they are all personalized and what an incredible thank you that is to the people who donated their birthday instead of asking for presents. They are $60,000 into their goal of $150,000, I made a donation to support them this year. I encourage you to join me!

As an October baby, I am inspired by what they do. Many of you might remember my Cause It’s My Birthday campaign and it’s always so inspiring to see what organizations are doing that is focused on bringing digital into the conversation from the beginning and not just including it as an afterthought.

Find out more by making a donation today, liking their Facebook page, following them on Twitter or watching more of their amazing stories and videos on their media page.

And of course, the birthday wish interviews have been running daily for two weeks. Huge thank you to all who participated. I have a few more to post next week and the BIG news is I also have a delivery date for my own Cause It’s My Birthday campaign for malaria nets in Ghana. So stay tuned, much more in the birthday sphere to come. Plus actionable tips to do a birthday fundraiser of your own!

The Shelley Cohen Birthday Wish Interview:

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

FOR MY 40TH BIRTHDAY (MARCH 2, 2008), I HAD A HUGE PARTY AT A LOCAL HOTEL CALLED 15 RIA. IN LIEU OF GIFTS, I ASKED PEOPLE TO DONATE TO VOICES OF UGANDA. I PUBLICIZED IT VERY WELL AS PART OF THE EVITE, AND INCLUDED LINKS. I WAS NOT ON FB AT THIS TIME. I DID NOT HAVE A FUNDRAISING GOAL, BUT I PROMISED TO MATCH WHAT WAS RAISED. THE PARTY RAISED ABOUT $1000, AND I MATCHED IT!

FOR MY DAUGHTER SIENNA’S FIRST BIRTHDAY ON MAY 29, 2009, WE ASKED THAT PEOPLE BRING FOOD ITEMS FOR THE DC CENTRAL KITCHEN IN LIEU OF FOOD ITEMS. WE COLLECTED 5 HUGE BOXES FULL OF FOOD!

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

FOR THE 40TH BIRTHDAY, I JUST USED CONSTANT CONTACT (I SENT MY INVITE SEPARATELY)! NOT ON FACEBOOK THEN. FOR SIENNA’S BIRTHDAY, I USED EVITE.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

HADN’T DONE SPECIFIC FUNDRAISERS FOR BIRTHDAYS BEFORE.

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

ABSOLUTELY. IT IS SO EASY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I REALLY WANT TO INSTILL IN SIENNA A SENSE OF GIVING TO OTHERS. I PLAN ON DOING FUNDRAISER EVENTS FOR ALL OF HER BIRTHDAY’S (SHE GETS ENOUGH GIFTS FROM THE GRANDPARENTS/PARENTS). I ATTACHED SOME PICTURES OF ME AND SIENNA WITH THE FOOD DONATIONS AND DROPPING OFF THE FOOD AT THE DC CENTRAL KITCHEN (MY FRIEND AIMEE HELPED US. I TRY TOO HAVE A SOCIAL COMPONENT TO ALL MY PARTIES!

ONE PLUS/MINUS…. THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO GAVE TO A CHARITY IN MY NAME…. BUT NOT TO VOICES! I APPRECIATED THE GIFT, BUT REALLY WANTED PEOPLE TO SUPPORT VOICES OF UGANDA.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

THE BEST PART WAS KNOWING THAT I DID SOMETHING TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. THE STORY THAT TOUCHED ME THE MOST WAS AFTER SIENNA’S BIRTHDAY, WE TOOK ALL OF THE FOOD TO THE DC CENTRAL KITCHEN. A BUNCH OF PEOPLE MET US TO HELP UNLOAD THE FOOD AND THEY WERE SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE FOOD. IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AND I LOVED BEING ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH SIENNA. SHE WILL LIKELY NOT REMEMBER THIS, BUT HOPEFULLY SOME DAY, SHE WILL GET AS MUCH SATISFACTION OUT OF GIVING AS HER MAMA DOES!

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

* PICK SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT (IT IS MUCH EASIER TO ‘SELL’ TO YOUR GUESTS)
* DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED
* KEEP IT SIMPLE AND MAKE IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE. IF THEY HAVE TO SEARCH A WEBSITE FOR A DONATE BUTTON, YOU MIGHT LOSE THE PERSON’S INTEREST!
* SEND REMINDERS! PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE, BUT EMAILS GET BURIED.
* PREPARE… HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHARITY AVAILABLE, AND TRY TO GET A SPEAKER TO COME TO YOUR PARTY (SEE MY PICTURE OF MELISSA TALKING ABOUT VOICES OF UGANDA)
* EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! THE MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE WILL SURPRISE YOU!

Related posts:
TGIF Video: Conservation International
Power Shift 2009 – When Things Just Come Together
This Is Just To Say

And now, the Dev Dugal interview on his birthday fundraiser:

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your brithday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

I’ve been working with non-profits for quite some time. I realized over time which fundraising events work and which ones don’t produce. I realized that instead of bringing down the life of the party by jumping on the mic and professing the goodness of the non-profit, the structure needed to be tweaked. What has worked for me in the past is to charge people in advance or at the door and collect in advance. Spread the message about the organization thru the mediums used to invite and provide subtle reminders via auto-run presentation/DVD loop to the guests. Also a status update after the event was also fruitful.

Most people want to do good. The spectrum ranges from getting involved to simply cutting out a check. I decided I would structure my fundraising efforts around the latter and if they got more involved, it was gravy.

I’ve done about 4 events on my birthday throughout the years and they have all been fruitful. It’s a good reason to get people out when they have many choices and in the end, the non-profits win with increased exposure as well as fundraising. The organization I partnered with the most is Manav Sadhna. I had personal goals of $5,000 that I didn’t share and we reached it twice. It’s always a win-win situation.

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

I primarily used social media to spread the word and collected general invite guest list via evite with a direct link to paypal.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

All the events have been at bars in Southern California. My relationships allow me to generate donors for product like alcohol or deals with the bar operators for drink specials for my guests. It always works out and everyone has a great time. My motto is keep it simple with the least amount of overhead for the maximum amount of output in terms of fundraising and exposure.
4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

I enjoy it and of course I would do it again!

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

The best part is when it all comes together. Even better is when I know that the non-profit is in a better position that before the event. It’s not all about the money, but it is the fact that individuals know that my events are structured this way and they keep coming back for more.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

It’s a no brainer! Don’t over think it and just imagine what types of events you are not bored at and organize it the same way. Get 10 of your closest friends to commit to get 10 of their friends to commit. Have friends take ownership in the event with you as if it is their own. Create invitation on their behalf so they can also distribute to their network as if they are hosting. It works every time and before you know it, you have a solid guest list of 200+.

Related posts:
Denise Wakeman’s Birthday Campaign
Beth Kanter’s Birthday Wish
Story of a Kiva Borrower in Bosnia

Here we go, big thanks to Shercole for participating in the birthday interviews.

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

My birthday was December 4th. Not really a milestone, I made 27. My inspiration was the fact that I have everything I want and need for the most part and I just wanted to help others. I felt this was a great way to do it. The nonprofit I partnered with was New Orleans Women’s Shelter. No, I didn’t tell them in advance just went on a spur and started it up. My fundraising goals was just $270. I reached my goals, I actually exceeded I was excited. In the end I made it to $320.

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

Yes, I used online tools. I used Facebook Causes, my Facebook profile, and my twitter accounts. No, didn’t have a birthday party. I mainly connected with my friends via social networking encouraging them to help out with this cause.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

Past birthdays, I haven’t done much. This was my first birthday doing a fundraising cause.

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Yes, I would definitely do another fundraiser. It was truly easier than I thought.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

I exceeded my goals. I was shocked and excited! I wasn’t sure I would even meet my goals in the beginning. The best part is knowing my small contribution is going to help women in my area create a better life. Yes, I actually connected with friends from high school I haven’t talk to in forever through my cause.

The greatest thing about this because of me doing a birthday cause, two other friends started one for projects they believe in. I was truly touched by that and excited to see individuals help fund and bring awareness to projects they are passionate about.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

If you set a goal anything is possible. People want to help and contribute, just a lot of times they don’t know how. Set an example and not only get individuals to donate money bring awareness to a cause which is one of the most important things. Use your social media tools and reach individuals you never expected to actually donate!

Another fundraising campaign I’m truly proud of was Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in October, which I raised $250 dollars from. My goal was $100. I used the Making Strides fundraising tools, as well as Facebook, Twitter, and my websites to get donations. My whole team, Nola Darlings (Champ Superstar, Sheri, Kyna, Kimberly, Karen, and Darayell) had a goal of $500 and we achieved $850.

Amazing! Thanks again. Stay tuned for more birthday interviews all week, and as always your feedback on (birthday) fundraising campaigns or others that you’ve done, give me a shout out and tell me about them!

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1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

I set up the September 11th Fund to support the National September 11th Memorial & Museum / World Trade Center Memorial. The 9-11 Families for a Secure America Foundation and the Courage and Valor Organization, raising thousands of dollars a month for our One Cause At A Time Program. My birthday is September 11th, a day that will forever be a day of mourning for our country. No longer special for me or a day to celebrate. Not a milestone (43) but will always be remembered in a negative way. Our fundraising activity is not a traditional one-time event but an on going monthly process utilizing the power of online commerce. We have partnered with the Together We Can Change the World Foundation which supports our causes plus at least 12 others directly and thousands of others indirectly on a monthly basis..

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

We use online social networking sites such as Ning.com, Twitter, and Facebook to develop awareness to our One Cause At A Time program.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

Before setting up our Foundations, birthdays were just for families and friends but now they are a powerful force creating a sweeping change all across the world.

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Absolutely! I am always looking for opportunities to support and will continue to do so. There is such a tremendous need with our economy the way it is and conditions as they are. Once I knew my purpose putting the fundraising project together was quite easy to do. Getting supporters and promotion of the concept is much more difficult.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

I have been able to connect with hundreds of people I went to school with and through the social site have hundreds of new friends and supporters.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

Do your homework. about using the Internet as a means of promotion and public awareness. Find out all you could about nonprofit organizations and the way the NPG works.

Join a program already experienced with the type of fundraising you are interested in and promote, promote, promote. We invite supporters to our program from other places on the web including 5 Million For Change Campaign, One of Our Beneficiaries and through the Midway Baptist Church Charities.

Thank you very much for this opportunity.

Thanks to you Adam!

More birthday interviews coming all week! And if you’ve done a fundraiser for your birthday and would like to featured in this series or an upcoming one on The Causemopolitan, shoot me an email at sloane@thecausemopolitan.com, contact me through the contact page on this site or on twitter at @sloane.

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Today, I’m interviewing Les Gebhardt who had a 45th birthday fundraiser to benefit Kiva. Les is someone who I first came across when I got a google alert for my name from his blog. I clicked on the link and wouldn’t you know, it was about a birthday campaign. It was such a nice post and reflection on how Cause It’s My Birthday had inspired him and moved me to get in touch with him, connect and say hi. Because that’s what this crazy internet is for. Connecting and saying hello. I’m glad I did.

Les graciously answered my questions below. Check it out and then stay tuned for MORE birthday fundraiser interviews next week. That’s right, more good info and personal stories coming your way!

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

My birthday was December 1.

I turned 45.

My inspiration was 3-fold: your “causeitsmybday” campaign, the Movember campaign to raise money for childrens cancer research and the Lance Armstrong foundation which a friend and part of the Nashville “geek” community joined as a team to grow mustaches for the month of November with “support” via donations, and my HS aged daughter and her own activist work to get the presidential candidates to pledge to get our troops out of Iraq as well as her new commitment to environmental awareness thru a campaign to get families to pledge to live a greener lifestyle.

I chose Kiva.org and created a Kiva Team: Team Forty Five.

My goal, initially, is $450.00 by the end of the month. I plan on carrying this forward to raise, hopefully, much more than $450.00 for the whole year. I just figured $450.00 was doable by the end of the month since I’ve never done this before. I have yet to reach the goal.

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

I used the following: my blog, where I set up a special page with links to Kiva, my Kiva team and a paypal donation button for folks that didn’t want to donate the minimum $25.00 to Kiva directly.

I also used the Causes app within Facebook to get the ball rolling.

I have used, and continue to use Twitter to relink to my blog posts and my page to try and spread the word. Unfortunately, I didn’t plan any parties although I would do this if I was better organized.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

I’ve never done anything like this. Mostly, I have celebrated the traditional way either with friends and/or family.

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Absolutely!!!! I plan on doing more “activist” celebrations going forward. I have enough “stuff”, I want to give back and make the world a better place.

It has been both easy and hard. It was easy to set up the web stuff and paypal buttons. It was easy to get involved with Kiva and create the team. Where it was hard is in getting the word out and creating any kind of “buzz” or awareness outside of a few friends and family members.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

For me, the best part was knowing that I’m doing something, no matter how small, to directly affect the lives of people elsewhere in the world. I am blessed to live in the United States where our lives are pretty easy in contrast to folks that live elsewhere, particularly in under-developed or so-called “third world” countries and I believe that if I can give even a few dollars or a few hundred dollars, it will have an immediate and positive impact for some folks and their families and communities.

For me, it wasn’t about connecting with anyone as much as just standing up to do something and do the right thing. If there was anyone that I did connect with, it would be you. I’m deeply honored that you would ask me to be part of this.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

Several things:
a) Start planning WELL in advance of when you want to start. I believe one of the biggest challenges has been just getting things organized and rolling.

b) If at all possible, find people that are good at creating networks to assist in spreading the word and making people aware of your campaign. The logistics of the website and donation handling was easy enough for me, as a techie. However, creating “buzz” and spreading the word is definitely my weakness.

c) Don’t go it alone unless you are a whiz at logistics, networking and technology. Enlist the help of others, particularly in the areas where you are weak. For me, getting a “PR” person involved, even if for some initial planning and advice, would have been a plus.

Thanks Les!

More birthday interviews next week! And if you’ve done a fundraiser for your birthday and would like to featured in this series or an upcoming one on The Causemopolitan, shoot me an email at sloane@thecausemopolitan.com, contact me through the contact page on this site or on twitter at @sloane.

I hope you’ve been inspired this week to see ways you too can give instead of get around your birthdays. Give it a try! What do you have to lose?

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Today, I’m interviewing Meg Brogan. Meg’s passion for the nonprofit she ran her birthday campaign is definitely the strongest of any of the other interviews because she’s currently volunteering for 9th Ward Field of Dreams full-time! She’s also looking for work in the New Orleans area and I really want her to stay and hope she finds the right fit soon. She is passionate and engaging and it was fun to see her launch this campaign and see the results. I also have a soft spot for 9WFOD (as we’ll call it here) because it is New Orleans based and a really remarkable organization in the final stages of fundraising for a new field and track in the 9th Ward. You can learn more and (maybe even) make a donation HERE.

So here we go, an interview with Meg Brogan:

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

I partnered with 9th Ward Field of Dreams, a nonprofit organization here in New Orleans that I volunteer for full-time. The idea for my birthday fundraising campaign really came from the Cause It’s My Birthday Campaign. It was inspiring to see the outpouring of support shown from 7 cities toward 2 people to support 1 cause. 9WFOD set up our Facebook Fundraising page about 2 weeks before my birthday and I really wanted to kick things off right and inspire others to do the same for our cause.

My fundraising goal was $2,500 for my 25th birthday. I exceeded my goal, raising $2,980!

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

My fundraising campaign was held completely online using 3 major tools. First off, I utilized the Causes Application on Facebook to launch my birthday campaign. This application allowed me to create my own page very simply so that my friends and family could easily donate and track my progress. I could also send messages to my Facebook friends and fans of the 9WFOD cause. I also used MailChimp to quickly and easily send emails to everyone in my personal network. My initial email announced the goal of my campaign, some basics about 9WFOD, and clearly stated how to donate. I sent subsequent emails briefly updating my contacts of my progress and urging others to donate. Lastly, I used Twitter to tap into another network and spread the word about my goal. Here, I posted links to my facebook page, progress updates, and thanked donors.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

Past birthdays were usually celebrated with a night out on the town. Fun – but not nearly as rewarding as this birthday!

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Absolutely! Parts of the campaign were easier than I thought it would be while other parts were more challenging. I really wanted to challenge myself so I set the bar high! This made the entire campaign even more fun and rewarding. The campaign took a fair amount of work to spread the word but nothing that couldn’t be managed in my free time. There were a lot of tools available that set me up for success.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

Connecting with everyone was absolutely the best part. I received donations from everyone imaginable – old friends from high school, college, and work, my former teammates. I think this campaign really brought my involvement with 9WFOD full circle when my high school field hockey coach donated to the cause. She really launched my passion for field hockey and athletics, which opened so many doors for my future. The opportunities athletics gave me in life is why the mission of 9WFOD resonates so deeply with me.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

Utilize the resources that are already out there! Get advice from friends and family that have already launched a birthday campaign. Use tools like facebook and twitter. Also, what really helped me what breaking down my goal into manageable pieces. I asked for $10 donations from my personal contacts. This allowed everyone to feel like donating was within their reach – they had no excuse to say no! I had to do a little more work to spread the word but it was fun to reach more people and give everyone the chance to chip in!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tomorrow comes an interview with Les Gebhardt who fundraised for his birthday with Kiva (popular and GOOD choice)!

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Denise Wakeman is a truly remarkable woman. We first met online through a mutual passion for Kiva this past spring when I was fundraising to go to the Philippines as a Kiva Fellow. She was an immediate advocate of my fellowship and I supported her birthday campaign when she launched it. We kept in touch online and through social networks through the year and we both found ourselves at Blog World Expo in October and literally tracked each other down so we could meet in person. I’m so glad we did (proof is in the picture). So here we go, an interview with Denise:

1) Tell me about your birthday and fundraising campaign. When was your birthday? Was it a milestone? What was your inspiration? What nonprofit did you partner with? Did you tell them in advance? What was your fundraising goal (if you had one) and did you reach it?

I’m a big fan and supporter of Kiva.org. As my 50th birthday approached I was thinking about ways I could leverage my online community and do some good. I have a video and details HERE.

My Kiva Lending Team is located at Kiva Challenge.

My goal was to raise $5,000 in micro loans during June 2009 – my birthday month. Though I did not meet my goal in June ($3,500 on June 30), the amazing people who joined my lending team have continued to reinvest and make new loans and in October 2009, we surpassed the goal. Today, members of the team continue to loan and the Team has reached $5,650 in loans to date

2) Did you use online tools? Did you have a birthday party in person? What was your way to connect with people and tell them about this?

My primary communication was through the internet: email to my list, blog posts, Twitter, Facebook – about 20,000+. I tweeted like crazy. Every time someone made a loan, I announced it on twitter and included a link by to my lending team page. If I knew their twitter ID, I sent them a tweet thanking them. I did blog updates and I used the messaging system on Kiva.org to thank lenders as well as post progress reports.

Many of my colleagues blogged and tweeted about the event as well. I got a lot of retweets.

3) What have you done for past birthdays?

Parties, dinner, movies, spa…never a fundraiser! J

4) Would you do a fundraiser for your birthday again? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?

Yes, I would do this again. It was a little harder than I anticipated. I have a fairly large network and I thought it would be a snap to attract 200 people to make a $25 loan. Maybe because the fundraiser was a month vs. a day people may have stopped paying attention to my tweets. It was like promoting anything else – a product or a service – as long as I kept the Challenge in front of people, they responded. When I backed off, nothing happened.

5) What was the best part? Did you connect with someone you had lost contact with? Any one story you’d like to share?

Connecting with the people who did participate. I met new people via their loans when they found out about the event from others. The words of encouragement and support were amazing. I am so grateful to everyone who loaned and kept me motivated. And I’m thrilled that I was able to introduce new people to Kiva and impact so many entrepreneurs. It’s the ripple effect that makes this form of contribution so powerful: an entrepreneur can increase their inventory, they can serve more people, they can send their kids to school, they can employ people in their community and everyone wins.

6) What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to throw a fundraiser but didn’t know where to start?

Start with your passion because that will drive your results. Tap your communities in every way possible. Ask for help! Make sure people understand why you’re doing the fundraiser, what the outcomes will be and how their participation makes a difference. Make sure the organization is legitimate so you can ally and discomfort people have about making a contribution.

Go for it!

Stayed tomorrow for the next featured birthday campaign coming from Meg Brogan and 9th Ward Field of Dreams!

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Today is Beth’s 53rd birthday, and I encourage you to support her campaign to send 53 children in Cambodia to school. Through a gift of only $10, you can help Beth reach her goal. Make a donation HERE on Facebook.

Other ways to help? Tweet or post to your Facebook page: Happy birthday #beth53! Let’s send 53 Cambodian kids to school: http://bit.ly/beth53

In celebration of Beth’s birthday campaign and my own Cause It’s My Birthday campaign that I did with Doug Campbell to raise money for malaria nets for Ghana, I will be posting other stories of people who dedicated their birthday to cause this whole week. So stay tuned to read other inspiring stories all week on The Causemopolitan!

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