The winner of the 2012 Most Creative Give to the Max Day Campaign really embraced the meaning of the giving day! For their innovation and creativity in fundraising, the Minnesota Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals and GiveMN are pleased to honor Animal Humane Society as this year’s Most Creative Give to the Max Fundraising Campaign Award winner. 

By integrating creative messaging, multiple communication channels, and comprehensive relationship building strategies, the organization has set an example for the Minnesota nonprofit community. Their focus on the spirit of giving, making participation easy for the community, and providing excellent stewardship to donors at all levels makes the Animal Humane Society’s campaign unique and highly integrated with their overall development plan. Please join us in congratulating an organization that makes us all proud to be Minnesotan!

GiveMN is partnering with Youthprise to sponsor the Mobilize The Power of Youth Video Contest.  Create a video detailing how your organization enlivens, empowers, and engages young people.  The contest entry period is from September 15, 2012 through November 1,  2012. A panel of youth and the Youthprise staff will judge the contest.  The winner will be announced on November 15, 2012 on the Give to the Max video feed live from Mall of America.  Top prizes include two grand prizes of $5,000 and for the organization featured in the video.  

The directions are simple:

1. Create a video that shows us how your organization mobilizes the power of youth. Use photos to create a slideshow, use video from a camera phone or webcam video, or produce it like a professional!
2. Upload the video to a video sharing website (i.e. YouTube.com, Vimeo.com, etc.).
3. [NONPROFITS ONLY] Create a fundraiser page on GiveMN.org for your nonprofit, using your video entry as the main video on the page. For the “Fundraiser name” use the following format: YOUTH VIDEO CONTEST – (your video title here).
   All other entrants can simply cut and paste the YouTube or Vimeo URL.
   1. Email the link to your video and photo/video release forms for the individuals in the video to:info@givemn.org by the entry deadline of 11:59 p.m. November 1, 2012.

Subject: Mobilizing the Power of Youth VIDEO CONTEST

Please include your name, phone number, email & mailing address (to be used for contest updates and prize mailing purposes only, no solicitations.)

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS & RESTRICTIONS

The featured organization must be a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, school district or youth-serving governmental organization. Direct questions regarding eligibility to Libby Rau at libby@youthprise.org.

By entering the contest, you grant GiveMN and Youthprise perpetual, royalty-free license to use your video. Except for the grant prizes awarded to the organization of the video contest, no other compensation in any manner will be paid to any entrant of the video contest. If you want to remove your video from the competition, you may do so by requesting GiveMN delete your video from its competition prior to the announcement of the winner on November 15, 2012. Limit one video per organization.

Your video must be original content for this contest. Do not submit a video that has been submitted elsewhere.

Video must NOT be longer than 3 minutes.

Obtain release forms for all of the people featured in your video. (Click here to download  our photo/video release form)

Children 18 years or younger must have their parent’s or guardian’s approval. Employees of GiveMN, Youthpise, and their relatives are not eligible to enter the contest.

Avoid profane language, violence, sex or personal attacks on people or organizations.

Avoid violating copyright laws or using brand names or logos other than those you have been granted permission to use in your video. You agree to indemnify GiveMN and Youthprise for any claim, demand, judgment, or other allegation arising from your possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright, or other legally protected interest in any way in your video.

JUDGING

After the contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on November 1, 2012, Youthprise staff and a panel of youth will judge the video entries to determine which videos best comply with the requirements of the contest before selecting the best video. The winner will be announced on November 15, 2012 at the Mall of America and on GiveMN and Youthprise social networks.

Special consideration will be given to videos that:

• Are created and submitted in partnership with your organization and youth
• Feature youth that participate in the organizations programs and services
• Demonstrate innovative ways to engage and empower young people to make positive community change
• Highlight a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Prize Packages

Winning Videos: Two grand prizes of $5,000

2^nd Place:  $2,500

3^rd Place: $1,000

4^th & 5th Place: $500 

On Give to the Max Day Thursday, November 15, 2012, thousands of Minnesota nonprofits will come together to raise millions of dollars in just 24 hours – starting at midnight on November 15, 2012 through midnight on November 16, 2012. 

In partnership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Minnesota Chapter (AFP), GiveMN will present the Most Creative Give to the Max Fundraising Campaign Award to a nonprofit whose fundraising strategy for Give to the Max Day exemplifies a creative and innovative approach. The winning organization's strategy for Give to the Max Day will differentiate their campaign from others and will be an integral part of the organization’s overall annual fundraising plan. All strategies should adhere to ethical standards of fundraising.

Give us a snapshot of your creative approaches to fundraising for Give to the Max Day to be considered for the Most Creative Give to the Max Fundraising Campaign Award. Submit your completed entry by Friday, October 26.

The winning entry will be announced on Give to the Max Day, receive one of the GiveMN live stream interview slots and will be recognized in all post Give to the Max Day outreach efforts. In addition, the Most Creative Give to the Max Fundraising Campaign Award, along with a $500 check, will be presented to the winning organization at the AFP Minnesota Chapter National Philanthropy Day luncheon on November 16 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. The winner will be offered two complimentary tickets to the luncheon and must have a representative present to receive the award.

Download the entry form

(Entries must be completed and submitted by October 26, 2012) 

MINNEAPOLIS/SAINT PAUL, MINN. – July 5, 2012 –  GiveMN, a Minnesota nonprofit that enables individuals to donate to thousands of nonprofits online at http://www.givemn.org/, is proud to announce the winner of the “Unsung” video contest—Sarah Jacobs. Sarah wins a $1,000 giving card from GiveMN, which she plans to donate to Madelia Community Hospital Foundation through GiveMN.org. Sarah also wins $500 cash from Shanachie Entertainment as well as a “grab bag” of artist merchandise from Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment. The contest entrant with the most YouTube video views and winner of the “People’s Choice” award is Dayna Matthews. Dayna wins a guitar signed by Mint Condition. The guitar was provided courtesy of Guitar Center.

GiveMN partnered with Minnesota R&B band Mint Condition and their record label Shanachie Entertainment to sponsor the “Unsung” video contest. Individuals were invited to create a video to honor their own unsung hero—be it a mother, father, friend or mentor—using Mint Condition’s song “Unsung” which was written by Mint Condition Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell in honor of his own unsung hero—his mother.

GiveMN, Shanachie Entertainment and the manager and band members of Mint Condition wish to thank all of the contest entrants for taking the time to share such amazing videos of their heroes.

“We are extremely touched that all of the video submissions encapsulated the emotions we tried to convey with the song,” said Waddell. “We learned about parents, children, spouses, mentors and soldiers who have lived distinguished lives and left incredible legacies—all of whom were unsung. Thank you to each and every person who entered the contest for sharing these very personal and heartfelt tributes.”

GiveMN Giving Cards

Buying and redeeming a GiveMN giving card is easy. The purchaser picks the donation amount, and the recipient chooses their favorite cause to which the amount is gifted. The purchaser can specify the date the card will be emailed, or they can print it out. The card is redeemable online, includes GiveMN’s low 2.9% transaction fee, and is good for one year from the date of purchase. The purchaser of the giving card may write off the amount as a donation (the recipient cannot). GiveMN email giving cards are available for individual purchase online at https://givemn.razoo.com/gift_cards/orders/newhttps://givemn.razoo.com/gift_cards/orders/new. Physical giving cards can be ordered in bulk by contacting GiveMN at info@givemn.org.

Bulk GiveMN giving cards are perfect for:

• Employee appreciation. Recognize employees for strong work performance, employment anniversaries, birthdays or other occasions
• Giveaways. Give a GiveMN card to communicate your organization’s commitment to community
• Provide leverage for employee giving. Reward employees’ giving by matching your employees’ contributions with a gift in their name to the charity of their choice

Check out more of our fantastic contest entries, these are amazing tributes to "Unsung" heroes:

• Entrant: Tom Poch - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCFUtmomB8k&feature=youtu.be
• Entrant: Charmane Hayman - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N174MN1IuXA
• Entrant: Jillian Nordquist - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s_Gu00GgwE&feature=plcp
• Winner: Sarah Jacobs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA147RXyTTI&feature=autoplay&list=ULhA147RXyTTI&playnext=1
• Entrant: Kia Price - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZgDF9MZyhA
• Entrant: Pam J. Reed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeZ1KCpdQuQ&feature=plcp
• "People's Choice" Winner: Dayna Matthews - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nK5Q9RtlrE&feature=em-share_video_user

GiveMN partners with Minnesota R&B Band Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment to celebrate ‘unsung heroes’ and give to the winning video producer’s favorite cause

UPDATE - June 8, 2012 - Due to overwhelming response, the Mint Condition “Unsung Video Contest” has been extended by one week. This will give everyone time to submit a special Father’s Day video for all those “Unsung Dad’s”. The new deadline is Monday, June 18th, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Please go www.shanachie.com for complete contest rules and to download Mint Condition’s song “Unsung” for FREE!

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Minnesota R&B band Mint Condition and their record label Shanachie Entertainment to sponsor the “Unsung” video contest. You are invited to visit www.shanachie.com to download Mint Condition’s inspirational song “Unsung” for exclusive use in creating a video to honor YOUR unsung hero—be it a mother, father, friend or mentor.

The song “Unsung” was written by Mint Condition Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell in honor of his own unsung hero—his foster mother.

“My mother shaped my life in an incredible way and I will always be grateful to her for what’s she’s done,” Lawrence said. “This song is for all the unsung heroes out there like my mom.”

“The nonprofit world is full of unsung heroes, everyday people who are making a difference against difficult odds,” GiveMN Executive Director Dana Nelson said. “We’re delighted to join forces with one of Minnesota’s most talented bands, Mint Condition, and their label, Shanachie Entertainment, to shine a light on those unsung heroes through a video contest.”

The video contest entry period opens Friday, May 11 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 11. The winning video will be chosen by band members Stokley Williams, Ricky Kinchen, Homer O'Dell, Lawrence Waddell, and Jeff Allen. The winner will be announced on June 25. Videos should be uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube.com or Vimeo.com, and then the link can be emailed to info@givemn.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 11.

Prizes

The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN. The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN which the recipient can use to direct a $1,000 donation to any one of the nearly one million U.S.-based nonprofit organizations listed on GiveMN.org and a $500 cash prize courtesy of Shanachie Entertainment.  Mint Condition is also providing an autographed guitar to the video producer who’s video receives the most online views—a “People’s Choice” award. The guitar is provided courtesy of Guitar Center.  Both winners will also receive a “grab bag” of artist merchandise from Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment. For complete contest details, visit www.shanachie.com.

About Shanachie Entertainment

Shanachie Entertainment is one of America’s most successful and long-lived independent labels. The label has released projects of legends, hit-makers, musical masters and cult icons in the realms of R & B, jazz, alternative music, reggae, blues, country music, singer-song-writers and more. Whether scoring radio hits and Grammy Awards or simply bringing to market critically-acclaimed recordings, Shanachie has been proud to present the work of an array of brilliant artists. 

About Mint Condition

Mint Condition is an R&B band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Discovered and originally signed by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989, Mint Condition recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of their seventh studio album “7” on Shanachie Entertainment, on which the song “Unsung” appears. 

GiveMN partners with Minnesota R&B Band Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment to celebrate ‘unsung heroes’ and give to the winning video producer’s favorite cause

UPDATE - June 8, 2012 - Due to overwhelming response, the Mint Condition “Unsung Video Contest” has been extended by one week. This will give everyone time to submit a special Father’s Day video for all those “Unsung Dad’s”. The new deadline is Monday, June 18th, 2012 at 11:59 PM. Please go www.shanachie.com for complete contest rules and to download Mint Condition’s song “Unsung” for FREE!

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Minnesota R&B band Mint Condition and their record label Shanachie Entertainment to sponsor the “Unsung” video contest. You are invited to visit www.shanachie.com to download Mint Condition’s inspirational song “Unsung” for exclusive use in creating a video to honor YOUR unsung hero—be it a mother, father, friend or mentor.

The song “Unsung” was written by Mint Condition Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell in honor of his own unsung hero—his foster mother.

“My mother shaped my life in an incredible way and I will always be grateful to her for what’s she’s done,” Lawrence said. “This song is for all the unsung heroes out there like my mom.”

“The nonprofit world is full of unsung heroes, everyday people who are making a difference against difficult odds,” GiveMN Executive Director Dana Nelson said. “We’re delighted to join forces with one of Minnesota’s most talented bands, Mint Condition, and their label, Shanachie Entertainment, to shine a light on those unsung heroes through a video contest.”

The video contest entry period opens Friday, May 11 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 11. The winning video will be chosen by band members Stokley Williams, Ricky Kinchen, Homer O'Dell, Lawrence Waddell, and Jeff Allen. The winner will be announced on June 25. Videos should be uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube.com or Vimeo.com, and then the link can be emailed to info@givemn.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 11.

Prizes

The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN. The producer of the winning video will receive a $1,000 Giving Card courtesy of GiveMN which the recipient can use to direct a $1,000 donation to any one of the nearly one million U.S.-based nonprofit organizations listed on GiveMN.org and a $500 cash prize courtesy of Shanachie Entertainment.  Mint Condition is also providing an autographed guitar to the video producer who’s video receives the most online views—a “People’s Choice” award. The guitar is provided courtesy of Guitar Center.  Both winners will also receive a “grab bag” of artist merchandise from Mint Condition and Shanachie Entertainment. For complete contest details, visit www.shanachie.com.

About Shanachie Entertainment

Shanachie Entertainment is one of America’s most successful and long-lived independent labels. The label has released projects of legends, hit-makers, musical masters and cult icons in the realms of R & B, jazz, alternative music, reggae, blues, country music, singer-song-writers and more. Whether scoring radio hits and Grammy Awards or simply bringing to market critically-acclaimed recordings, Shanachie has been proud to present the work of an array of brilliant artists. 

About Mint Condition

Mint Condition is an R&B band from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Discovered and originally signed by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989, Mint Condition recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of their seventh studio album “7” on Shanachie Entertainment, on which the song “Unsung” appears. 

We had lots of great video contest entries and they all had a cute take on our theme "Does this make my heart look BIG?" Check them all out below. Our GiveMN panel of judges have also narrowed the list of videos down to 5 finalists. In a few weeks, the public voting period begins and we want YOU to select our winner from our finalists. Stay tuned!

Do these pants make my butt look big? 

No dear.

Does this muscle shirt make my biceps look big?

Yes dear.

Tell the truth now. Does this donation make my heart look big???

We want to hear how online giving through GiveMN, and giving in general to your favorite nonprofit makes your heart look BIG. Enter the first annual Give to the Max Day video contest, titled "Does this make my heart look big?"

We're giving away a brand spankin' new MacBook Air laptop to the video producer and a $1,000 prize grant to that producer's nonprofit of choice! So, dust off your director's chair and make the casting call. We want to see your most creative, imaginative videos. Inspire us. Make us laugh. You may just win yourself a new computer and your charity some dough. Your winning video will also be featured on the Give to the Max Day homepage November 16, 2011. That's a lot of eyeballs! Contest entry deadline isn't 'til September 30, 2011, but you'll want to get a jump on it now. There's makeup, wardrobe, set design, scripting, special effects, lighting...

Here are the contest details: