February 27 is the deadline for nonprofits and nerds to apply for the 2012 Twin Cities Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge. Nine out of ten nonprofits who’ve experienced this annual 24-hour event will tell you they won the lottery – and that their team of volunteers was the best of the bunch. We’re doing everything we can to raise this success rate. After five such nonprofit nerdathons (four in the Twin Cities and one in Chicago), more than 600 nerds and 66 nonprofits have signed on for what amounts to a 24-hour blind date. Combining input from past participants with our own experience as event organizers, we endeavor to set teams and their nonprofits up for a successful slumber-less party.

Nonprofits selected are not guaranteed a new website – one that launches without a hitch, 24 hours after meeting their team. This rare opportunity is just that: an opportunity for nonprofits to have 8-10 interactive professionals at their disposal for 24 hours. Were the meter running for a typical team, their fee would range in neighborhoods near $20,000-$30,000. Instead, volunteers are motivated by friendly competition and geeky goodness.

In an effort to form more perfect unions, we ask applicants – nerds and nonprofits – to agree to a social contract, and to each their own pledge:

Nerds: If my team is selected, I’ll do my best to deliver a good outcome for whatever nonprofit we are assigned to serve. If my team feels our designated nonprofit is asking for more than we can reasonably accomplish in 24 hours, we’ll adjust their expectations – and our scope of work – accordingly. My team will involve our nonprofit in key development and design decisions en route to delivering an interactive product that will further their mission and online presence. I will honor my team’s stated and agreed-upon commitment of ongoing support for our nonprofit.

Nonprofits: If my nonprofit is selected, I’ll treat my volunteer team with due respect during and after the Challenge, knowing that they’ve similarly pledged to do their best to deliver a good outcome for us. If my team of volunteers feels that we, as their designated nonprofit, are asking for more than they can reasonably accomplish in 24 hours, we’ll limit our expectations – and their scope of work – accordingly. I will provide collaborative input into key development and design decisions en route to creating an interactive product that will further our mission and online presence. I will honor my team’s stated and agreed-upon commitment of ongoing support for our nonprofit.

All together now, Kumbaya – in the key of Hard Day’s Night.All who enter into this do so with the very best of intentions. When people invest their time and talent toward a common cause, it’s incredibly gratifying to see it all come together, and ultimately, make a difference in the community. But you can’t just fill a blender with nerds and nonprofits, hit puree and expect a delicious smoothie, every time. In the end, the surprise isn’t that sometimes participants don’t spark a needy-nerdy love connection, but how overwhelmingly often they do.

Since The Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge began in 2008, volunteers from throughout the interactive community have freely given about $2 million worth of professional services to nonprofits. The late great Luke Bucklin would probably still call this just a good start. Right again. This science experiment of mixing needy with nerdy is working, but it’s forever a work in progress. If continuing this progress piques your interest, apply yourself by February 27 at http://tc2012.overnightwebsitechallenge.com/.

After hearing a story that touches your heart do you ever ask yourself, How can I help?” or “I want to do something meaningful with my spare time, but what should I do?” Or do you ever find yourself thinking, “I wish I knew how to help.”  If you answered yes to one of those questions I encourage you to take a walk through The Caring Effect’s website, www.thecaringeffect.org.  You will find a plethora of ways to volunteer your time or money.  The options to help are endless allowing you many ways to dive right in....or if you prefer just dabble. 

The mission of the Caring Effect is quite simple, their goal is to make those who care aware of the needs of others through The Caring Effect Radio Show and plug them into ways they can make a difference.

This is where GiveMN enters in. The Caring Effect’s Dare to Care Campaign through GiveMN helped us to raise funds to produce more Internet radio shows creating greater awareness around those needing help in our community and inspiring others to become involved.

The Caring Effect Radio Show is dedicated to spreading the word of community needs through real life stories.  Statics are alarming, but real people sharing their story can really strike a chord with individuals who care and drive them into action.  Hop online, visit our website and listen to one of the recent radio shows showcasing homeless youth, seniors in need or feeding the hungry all made possible because of the donations we received through our GiveMN-Dare to Care Campaign.

Caring is all the motivation you need to get involved and help, but how do you take action?  To some the answer is obvious, but to others it isn’t and this is where The Caring Effect is a wealth of knowledge.  When you browse through their website you will find many different channels offering opportunities to funnel your time or money to fulfill needs in your community.  The Caring Effect is so dedicated to promoting different charities needs that they offer direct links for donations on their website allowing you to donate right to the source of your choice! 

The options and needs are endless and YOU are the person who can make a difference.  You have talents and interests that could deeply touch the lives of those in need.  You may have something to offer and are completely unaware of what a treasure it would be to someone close by.  Looking for the answers?  Check out The Caring Effect at thecaringeffect.org 

It’s Valentines Day (or as we in the world of charity like to call it - Generosity Day), so we’re spreading a little nonprofit love. We will select four random people to receive a $25 GiveMN.org Giving Card. To be eligible for the giveaway, just tell us what you’d do with a giving card here in the comments section or on our Facebook or Twitter page. Or, simply re-Tweet or share the Facebook post about the giveaway with your friends.

Winners will be announced on Twitter and Facebook at noon, 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

We want to know which nonprofits you love. And, if the giving card is going to be a present for a loved one, tell us why you’re excited to give it to them.

And remember, Giving Cards can be purchased anytime of year. Visit: https://givemn.razoo.com/gift_cards/orders/new to send one today!

Happy Generosity Day everyone!

February 27 is the deadline for nonprofits and nerds to apply for the 2012 Twin Cities Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge. Nine out of ten nonprofits who’ve experienced this annual 24-hour event will tell you they won the lottery – and that their team of volunteers was the best of the bunch. We’re doing everything we can to raise this success rate. After five such nonprofit nerdathons (four in the Twin Cities and one in Chicago), more than 600 nerds and 66 nonprofits have signed on for what amounts to a 24-hour blind date. Combining input from past participants with our own experience as event organizers, we endeavor to set teams and their nonprofits up for a successful slumber-less party.

Nonprofits selected are not guaranteed a new website – one that launches without a hitch, 24 hours after meeting their team. This rare opportunity is just that: an opportunity for nonprofits to have 8-10 interactive professionals at their disposal for 24 hours. Were the meter running for a typical team, their fee would range in neighborhoods near $20,000-$30,000. Instead, volunteers are motivated by friendly competition and geeky goodness.

In an effort to form more perfect unions, we ask applicants – nerds and nonprofits – to agree to a social contract, and to each their own pledge:

Nerds: If my team is selected, I’ll do my best to deliver a good outcome for whatever nonprofit we are assigned to serve. If my team feels our designated nonprofit is asking for more than we can reasonably accomplish in 24 hours, we’ll adjust their expectations – and our scope of work – accordingly. My team will involve our nonprofit in key development and design decisions en route to delivering an interactive product that will further their mission and online presence. I will honor my team’s stated and agreed-upon commitment of ongoing support for our nonprofit.

Nonprofits: If my nonprofit is selected, I’ll treat my volunteer team with due respect during and after the Challenge, knowing that they’ve similarly pledged to do their best to deliver a good outcome for us. If my team of volunteers feels that we, as their designated nonprofit, are asking for more than they can reasonably accomplish in 24 hours, we’ll limit our expectations – and their scope of work – accordingly. I will provide collaborative input into key development and design decisions en route to creating an interactive product that will further our mission and online presence. I will honor my team’s stated and agreed-upon commitment of ongoing support for our nonprofit.

All together now, Kumbaya – in the key of Hard Day’s Night.All who enter into this do so with the very best of intentions. When people invest their time and talent toward a common cause, it’s incredibly gratifying to see it all come together, and ultimately, make a difference in the community. But you can’t just fill a blender with nerds and nonprofits, hit puree and expect a delicious smoothie, every time. In the end, the surprise isn’t that sometimes participants don’t spark a needy-nerdy love connection, but how overwhelmingly often they do.

Since The Nerdery Overnight Website Challenge began in 2008, volunteers from throughout the interactive community have freely given about $2 million worth of professional services to nonprofits. The late great Luke Bucklin would probably still call this just a good start. Right again. This science experiment of mixing needy with nerdy is working, but it’s forever a work in progress. If continuing this progress piques your interest, apply yourself by February 27 at http://tc2012.overnightwebsitechallenge.com/.

After hearing a story that touches your heart do you ever ask yourself, How can I help?” or “I want to do something meaningful with my spare time, but what should I do?” Or do you ever find yourself thinking, “I wish I knew how to help.”  If you answered yes to one of those questions I encourage you to take a walk through The Caring Effect’s website, www.thecaringeffect.org.  You will find a plethora of ways to volunteer your time or money.  The options to help are endless allowing you many ways to dive right in....or if you prefer just dabble. 

The mission of the Caring Effect is quite simple, their goal is to make those who care aware of the needs of others through The Caring Effect Radio Show and plug them into ways they can make a difference.

This is where GiveMN enters in. The Caring Effect’s Dare to Care Campaign through GiveMN helped us to raise funds to produce more Internet radio shows creating greater awareness around those needing help in our community and inspiring others to become involved.

The Caring Effect Radio Show is dedicated to spreading the word of community needs through real life stories.  Statics are alarming, but real people sharing their story can really strike a chord with individuals who care and drive them into action.  Hop online, visit our website and listen to one of the recent radio shows showcasing homeless youth, seniors in need or feeding the hungry all made possible because of the donations we received through our GiveMN-Dare to Care Campaign.

Caring is all the motivation you need to get involved and help, but how do you take action?  To some the answer is obvious, but to others it isn’t and this is where The Caring Effect is a wealth of knowledge.  When you browse through their website you will find many different channels offering opportunities to funnel your time or money to fulfill needs in your community.  The Caring Effect is so dedicated to promoting different charities needs that they offer direct links for donations on their website allowing you to donate right to the source of your choice! 

The options and needs are endless and YOU are the person who can make a difference.  You have talents and interests that could deeply touch the lives of those in need.  You may have something to offer and are completely unaware of what a treasure it would be to someone close by.  Looking for the answers?  Check out The Caring Effect at thecaringeffect.org 

It’s Valentines Day (or as we in the world of charity like to call it - Generosity Day), so we’re spreading a little nonprofit love. We will select four random people to receive a $25 GiveMN.org Giving Card. To be eligible for the giveaway, just tell us what you’d do with a giving card here in the comments section or on our Facebook or Twitter page. Or, simply re-Tweet or share the Facebook post about the giveaway with your friends.

Winners will be announced on Twitter and Facebook at noon, 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

We want to know which nonprofits you love. And, if the giving card is going to be a present for a loved one, tell us why you’re excited to give it to them.

And remember, Giving Cards can be purchased anytime of year. Visit: https://givemn.razoo.com/gift_cards/orders/new to send one today!

Happy Generosity Day everyone!