You Too can Fund Social Justice Via Citizen Philanthropy at ioby.org
There are many things I love about my work at CFO on Speed Dial, but hands down, the best part has to be helping clients I admire thrive and make an impact.
In 2021 I got an unusual SOS when my friend and colleague Erin Barnes called. In one week, both of her senior finance team members resigned and she needed someone to step in right away to keep the finances ship shape.
Well, since I’m writing about it now, I guess it's obvious that I said yes; but I shouldn’t have.
I do have a few nonprofit clients but non-profit accounting isn’t really my strength. Plus. how could a part-time, fractional CFO possibly replace TWO full-time senior people??
However, I do enjoy a good challenge; and I LOVE ioby.org!
That’s why I had to say yes to stepping in as Interim CFO for ioby.org.
First of all, What is Citizen Philanthropy and Why Does it Matter?
Citizen Philanthropy is all about giving in a way that also empowers people to be active and engaged members of their 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 says...
“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.”
Operationally, ioby is a crowdfunding platform. But it’s also so much more. ioby projects are all about community-led positive change — or citizen philanthropy.
They mobilize and support local leaders who have amazing ideas for their neighborhood to make a difference.
Top Reasons to Support ioby
From a purely human perspective, I have never worked with kinder, more appreciative people than the individuals running ioby. I can’t remember a call or conversation that didn’t start or end with them thanking me.
From an impact perspective, ioby is extremely unique and their role in communities is vital.
The ioby platform gives local leaders the tools to raise funds so they can make real change in their communities. At the same time, ioby helps to connect local leaders with support and funding from their communities to make neighborhoods more just, sustainable, healthy, and more fun!
ioby does this by helping local leaders recruit volunteers, build community, connect with local decision makers, and start conversations on key issues.
The ioby team knows that local leaders are the experts on their communities and put the power for change in their hands.
At ioby.org, you can donate to an existing project or start one yourself.
And because you know I love numbers, here are some ioby numbers worth knowing.
$15,681,322 - Total Given on the site.
3,098 - Projects Successfully Launched
282 - Projects Funding Right Now
260 - Cities with an ioby Leader
71% - Projects That Have a Social Justice Objective
53% - Donors Who Also Volunteer with a Project
If you’re looking to positively impact your community, you can feel certain that you’ll see the change you’re making with ioby’s projects.
Make a Positive Impact Through Citizen Philanthropy with Ioby Now
If you would like to start a project for your community, this is how it works:
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.
When its ready, share the donation page with your friends and supporters.
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. Plus, if matching funds are available they’ll automatically apply them to your campaign. (Sweet!)
When you reach your goal, ioby will send you the money, so you can go ahead with your project to make change in your neighborhood!
Two other ways you can support community-driven action on ioby:
Donate to an existing project, Pick one (or more!) from any of the active projects.
My personal favorite of the moment is the campaign by Rise and Root Farm which is raising money to provide farm fresh produce to our community in the Bronx. We'll provide produce from our farm for a weekly distribution by the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center.
Give directly to ioby to support their work and the platform overall.
Either way, you can be sure your contributions will be used directly to create community impact.