Embrace citizen philanthropy with ioby
There are many components I love about my role here at CFO on Speed Dial, but hands down, the best part has to be helping clients I admire to thrive and make an impact. ioby is certainly one of those clients I’m continually grateful for. So, if you’re curious about citizen philanthropy ioby.org is the place to explore.
First of all, what is citizen philanthropy and why does it matter?
Citizen Philanthropy is all about giving back in a way that also empowers us all to be active and engaged members of our community. It’s more than writing a check or hitting a donate button.
It’s a clear sign that we’re all in this together and willing to help out where we can to make the places we live and work better, more just, and more equitable.
It also acknowledges that the people who live in their communities know it best and they know what is needed for real, lasting change to occur.
What is ioby?
ioby stands for “in our backyards,” but it also stands for taking care of each other, for civic participation, and for trusting neighbors to know what’s best for the neighborhood.
Their mission and vision are ...
“ioby mobilizes neighbors who have good ideas to become powerful civic leaders who plan, fund, and make positive change in their own neighborhoods.
We are creating a future in which our neighborhoods are shaped by the powerful good ideas of our own neighbors.”
Logistically, ioby is crowdfunding, but it’s also so much more. It’s centered on community-led positive change — or citizen philanthropy.
They mobilize local leaders who have amazing ideas for their neighborhood to make a difference.
Why support ioby?
From an impact perspective, ioby is extremely unique and their role in communities is vital.
They give local leaders the chance to raise funds needed to make real change in their communities. They also help to connect those leaders with support and funding from their communities to make neighborhoods more sustainable, healthier, greener, more livable, and more fun!
They do this by helping those leaders recruit volunteers, strengthen their network, connect with local decision-makers, and start conversations on key issues.
They know that local leaders are the experts on their communities and put the power for change in their hands.
Through their platform, you can either donate to an existing project or start one yourself.
And because you know I love numbers, here are some worth mentioning...
Total Given - $15,681,322
Projects Successfully Launched - 3,098
Projects Funding Right Now - 282
Cities with an ioby Leader - 260
Projects That Also Have a Social Justice Objective - 71%
Donors Who Also Volunteer with a Project - 53%
If you’re looking to positively impact your community at year end — or any time! — you can feel certain that you’ll see the impact and positive change with your contributions to projects on ioby.org.
How can you make a positive impact through citizen philanthropy with ioby.org?
I’m so glad you asked!
If you would like to start a project for your community, this is how it works:
Share your idea with ioby.org by CLICKING HERE.
ioby’s phenomenal team will coach you through crowdfunding strategies that actually work, create a plan that fits your project, and build a donation page that tells your story.
Donors will be able to visit your page, learn about your project, donate, and volunteer — all with the simple click of a button!
ioby will provide you with all of the support you need along the way.
When you reach your goal, ioby will send you the money, so you can make positive change happen in your neighborhood!
If you would prefer to donate to or volunteer for an existing project, all you have to do is CLICK HERE to find a project and get this Giving Tuesday party started!
Either way, you won’t be sorry.