When we left you last Sunday with the posting on “Helping Japan’s Earthquake and Tsunami Victims“, I was still contemplating how to use my/our personal talents to help raise money for the cause. As I’ve mentioned in earlier postings, I’m not so clever in arts and crafts. So, finding talents I could use to raise money was no simple effort, and frankly, frustrating. This particular disaster hits a personal chord. Though a second-generation born American, I hold a soft spot in my heart for the country of my ancestors. I want to do something extra special to help and support.
What could we do?
After not a small amount of digging about — through my brain and bookcases — I decided on two things that I do well, enjoy doing, and that maybe we could somehow make “monetizable.” Meanwhile, Nils was prepared to look into providing the venue and “market” (his workplace and colleagues at Ernst & Young Austria).
Throughout the week, while watching DVDs, I made tiny origami cranes (a symbol of honor and loyalty, as well as peace and good luck), something I’d learned to make as a child. Later in the week, I did what comes naturally: I baked — an oatmeal raisin recipe that’s usually a hit. I had no idea if my cranes and cookies would be incentive for people to give, but it was what I had to offer.
Last, but not least, after some research on relief organizations working in Japan, Nils and I chose to have the donations go to the Austrian arm of Doctors without Borders.
Nils’ report
Taking the cranes to the office on Thursday already raised the first interest amongst my co-workers, “I know you can’t do this, so who made these?” ”what are they for?” ”They are beautiful, where did you buy those?”
I explained the plan to raise money on Friday with a mixed “bake and crane sale”, generating curiosity around my immediate office area. I also contacted one of the corporate partners to get the go-ahead for this event. I wanted management informed, but also hoped to get them involved in the effort.
On Friday morning I approached the Country Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Austria, explained the effort, and asked him if he would be willing to have the company match employee donations. He not only approved this effort and pledged matching funds, but also bought the first crane for a generous 100 euros ($142 U.S.). Doing this in front of three partners, he certainly sent a good signal to the management team.
I then sent an email to the entire organisation in Vienna, inviting them to our floor to support the “Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief” effort, to take a crane and, of course, enjoy cookies. People came alone or small groups over the remainder of the day, admiring the cranes, and indulging in the cookies. The event lasted approximately six hours, and within that time we gathered: 577.70 euros*, matched by my company, that’s 1,155.40 euros! (Addendum 24/03/2011: EY Austria has “rounded up” their donation to make our total sum 1,500.00 euros)
Through small effort on our part and the generosity and enthusiasm of Nils’ management and colleagues at Ernst & Young Austria, we raised more money than either of us imagined possible! We’ve already sent off the monies we collected to Ärzte Ohne Grenzen (the Austrian arm of Doctors without Borders)
Why was this successful?
- What we observed this week is that people easily get into the spirit of giving when there’s a sense of community and joint effort. Of course, Nils’ company, so readily willing to match employee contributions, certainly added incentive and challenge to give!
- We believe that doing short, time-limited events like this create a certain urgency and desire, i.e., “It’s an ‘event’!”, encouraging people to take action or join now/today.
- It’s about making the effort: Did people give generously in order to take an origami crane home, or have an oatmeal raisin cookie? Of course not (that would make those very expensive cranes/cookies
). It was about making an effort and getting involved in the spirit of the effort/event. The cranes and cookies merely provided a catalyst.
What can you do?
As you can see, figuring out how we could personally have some kind of Impact wasn’t immediately evident. But, what we did and how we did it were really quite simple. What talents or hobbies do you have that might be the catalyst toward a giving project in your office, church, or club?
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*based on today’s exchange rate, that’s $819. U.S. / 505 GBP / 823 AUD. Double that amount to include the matching funds.
p.s. – In the spirit of this Impact Effort, Nils donated along with his office toward Doctors without Borders Austria. An addition personal “family” donation has gone toward the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California‘s Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.
Great idea and great results! I sent money to Red Cross, of course, but I’m also attempting to raise a little money by allocating some money from eBay auctions — there’s a mechanism on eBay so that sellers can allocate a portion of their auction proceeds to a specific cause — and Japan is currently on the featured list. So if anyone sells on eBay, this could be an option. Alternatively, if people shop on eBay, perhaps they could keep an eye out for auctions that are contributing to Tsunami relief. Winning an auction usually also includes an option to add some money to one’s payment that will be earmarked for a cause.
Zazzle also has special designs that sellers are donatng that raise money for this purpose.
Thanks for these tips. I often forget about eBay opportunities for giving.
I’m a Zazzle fan and will watch for sellers donating.
Congrats, Corinne and Nils. Well done. I’m writing a blog post about this to go up today. What you’ve done is all about making ripples.
Thanks. It was really such as simple thing done with a lot of heart. We’re glad to be able to contribute.
Congratulations on raising all the money for the relief efforts – plus having it matched! Sounds like a great project, supportive workplace, and a worthy cause!
Thanks Ann. The origami and cookie making could both be projects to take on with your daughters and their friends (?). It could be a fun learning experience for all.
[...] Kindness comes in large and small packages. I was prompted think on this when I heard that a friend with a conscience had made biscuits and origami cranes for her husband to sell by donation at his place of work in [...]