Crowdrise: Because Giving is Fun

Crowdrise  was conceptualized and developed from the experience of its founders during the New York City Marathon in September 2009 where they were able to raise USD 1.2M for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.  Crowdrise is a website where people can create a fundraiser and/or find a cause to support.  The website has a very fun, tongue-in-the-cheek feel since the founders, Hollywood actor Edward Norton, producer Shauna Robertson and the founders of Moosejaw, Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe, want to take the seriousness out of philanthropy and make it enjoyable and exciting.  They make random funny posts such as a picture of a napkin which has no deep and inquisitive rationale except for the fact that the napkin is simple and beautiful.  It created the humorous acronym IYDGBNOWLY meaning “If you don’t give back no one will like you.”  And coming up with a status that says, “I counted eleven boxes of cereal in the cabinet this morning. I made a mix of everything. My cereal included Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Total, Granola, Barbs Mix of stuff, Lucky Charms, Golean something, Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruity Pebbles, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and Life. The mixture wasn't good at all.” 

The site uses reward point systems, fun games and pledges to raise more money.  Amidst such hilarity, Crowdrise raises serious money for very important causes.   It has funded causes for animal welfare, arts, culture, civil rights, crisis intervention, education, environment, human services, poverty and youth development.   Donations are guaranteed secure even if no account has to be made.   Charities are able to get their money through a lump sum check and no cash is routed to Crowdrise.  They also have an apparel online store where the reward points can be used for buying their items.  Their celebrity supporters include Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jimmy Kimmel, Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush and Ian Somerhalder.