Grassroots.org

Our July Member of the Month recently launched their new site to better reflect their mission, with help from Grassroots.org Volunteer, Laura Moore of Smallest Decisions. As “a grassroots all-female nonprofit theater company”, Shakespeare’s Sister addresses global issues through productions and embraces social change serving the low-income populations within communities. Their commitment to unite actresses and female directors to produce great new plays and established theatrical works is displayed in their newly created site layout.

Previously a participant of our Faces of Change video series, Artistic Director Kris Lundberg worked with Laura to design something that spotlights their events and engages the community. In addition to professional productions, they have launched an arts advocacy campaign in taking the arts to the shelters. The organization’s Women's Theater Workshop has already had a high success rate in women's shelters. It's focus is to take the skills these women already have and innately possess, strengthen their voices and prepare them for their permanent housing interviews and re-entry into the workforce. Also, their Children's Puppetry Workshop teaches underserved children the elements of story structure through characters they create in the stories they write. Check out more on their brand-new website!

As we celebrate the mothers in our lives this May, Central Denver Mothers and More paid tribute to motherhood in style by handing out purses to moms in need via the Power of a Purse campaign. Their site's clean layout, use of social media and effective content played a part in broadcasting the event and their overall mission, which is why they're our May Member of the Month!

A local chapter of national nonprofit Mothers and More, the organization is dedicated to supporting motherhood's daily challenges while raising awareness about the barriers that moms face. Seeking to empower the modern-day mother burdened with choices and transitions, Denver Mothers and More teamed up with local supporters to collect purses for distribution to moms in need.

Why purses? "A woman's purse holds her sense of identity and symbolizes her earning power. We hope by collecting purses for local women's charities, we're instilling a sense of economic independence for moms who don't own one," says chapter leader Carolyn Purcell.

Though they had the option to create a site via their national chapter, the organization found creating one through Grassroots.org's web builder tool allowed for a level of site personalization. Their site is a perfect example of how to use the web builder effectively. "We were able to direct people to our official, easy to remember URL, include social media plugins for our site and broadcast our cause virtually," which is one of the reasons why the nonprofit successfully collected over 800 purses for their campaign!

This month, we celebrated the 40th Earth Day and as you know, being "green" or sustainable isn't just a one-day project. April's Member of the Month makes it their goal to instill the concept year-round.

Earth Care International is a New Mexico-based nonprofit focused on creating sustainability through teaching and engaging youth in local communities. In 2006, the organization created a Youth Allies Sustainability program to foster young leaders and equip them with the skills and resources to individually go out and spread change throughout their local communities. This model for catalyzing change is the main reason we've chosen them as our April Member of the Month.

The organization was able to make use of the free hosting package offered by Grassroots.org to facilitate programs and address all their audiences: volunteers, donors, youth and educators. "Having a website has made it possible for us to reach youth, teachers, donors, and the public with our mission, our programs, and announcements," says Outreach Coordinator Angela Harris.

Earth Care International completed their latest edition of the Sustainable Sante Fe Guide back in November, proving that green projects can and should run all year. In honor of Earth Day, the organization celebrated by gathering to plant trees, visiting the community farm and jamming to live music outdoors.

As we wrap up Women’s History Month, one Grassroots.org organization is giving women around the world a brighter future.

Circle of Women, a student-run organization based in Cambridge, MA, provides programs to close the gender gap in literacy and education in developing countries.

Its most recently completed effort, Project Wonkhai, built a secondary school for 1,200 students in Afghanistan. Now, the Afghan government recruits teachers and Circle of Women supports its staff with salaries, supplies and textbooks.

This sort of support is more essential as technology creates a smaller, more interactive global community, said Samantha Peretore, a 2009 Awareness officer for Circle of Women. “As our world shrinks into a single ‘global village,’ I find the opportunity to extend a hand to women across the globe to be simply extraordinary,” Peretore said.

As we open the toolbox to all African countries, one Grassroots.org nonprofit already stands out for its dedication to African-based principles, art and culture.

For 12 years, Cleveland-based African Soul International has used everything from drum circles to West African Dance performances to expose youth to African culture and professional development opportunities. Ultimately, the organization seeks solutions to educational and societal problems in inner city communities, said Founder and President Jewel Jackson.

African Soul was one of the first members to receive free web design, and Jackson said that online presence allows the nonprofit to touch diverse audiences.

“We now get calls from all over the country,” Jackson said. “We are able to connect ourselves to people that otherwise we would not have had access to without that electronic presence.”

In the end, it’s all about the kids.

“It’s a great level of exposure and professionalism to have a great website that is worth more than what we have to pay at this time,” Jackson said. “It has given us the time to really focus on quality and the development of young people in a professional way”

As Port Au Prince residents grapple with the aftermath of its Jan. 12 earthquake, one of our members is making sure the nation’s kids get to cut loose, at least a little.

The Haiti Soccer Project, based in Long Island, NY, supplies leagues across Haiti with soccer balls, uniforms and cleats. After the quake, the need for consistency and a few endorphins is even greater, said Lesly Williams, founder of the project.

“The people of Haiti have endured the worst disaster in their history…” Williams said. “Over the past few days, as we have seen on television, some kids have resorted to something they are very passionate about — shooting a soccer ball. We’re committed to supporting the youth of Haiti, as well as assisting in the restoration of some normalcy in their lives.”

The Haiti Soccer Project uses several of our web tools, but ultimately Williams’ commitment to Haiti prompted us to select the Haiti Soccer Project as our January Member of the Month.

“Most Haitian children love the game,” Williams said. “They kick just about anything that resembles a soccer ball. It is everywhere, but despite having the desire to play the game, most children are not able to participate in organized leagues with the proper equipment… Soccer offers unique opportunities to promote health, tolerance, teamwork, fair play, cooperation and unity.”

Fall means back to the books, which is why we are thrilled to select the Crescent City-based Del Norte County Library from more than 2,000 eligible organizations as our October Member of the Month.

Each month, we choose one member whose work best fulfills our mission: To serve as a catalyst for positive social change by leveraging modern technologies and best business practices.

Four main criteria are used to evaluate the websites: activity, growth, creativity and navigability. With its inviting web design and effective use of our tools, The Del Norte County Library excelled in each of these categories.

“We want to see other nonprofits succeed and grow because of the services we provide,” said Shane Hankins, Grassroots.org executive director. “The Del Norte County website is a great example of how small communities can utilize technology tools.”

The toolbox lets the library create a compelling and effective online community. One of the most valuable services is the World Lingo translation tool, said library manager Linda Kauffman.

“I love World Lingo,” Kaufmann said. “We have a large Spanish speaking population in Del Norte County, so this will make our web site more accessible to anyone whose first language is Spanish.”

Before Grassroots.org volunteer Phil Schaming designed the website, the library would have paid a premium for limited web capabilities. Now, the organization has saved enough money on technology tools to purchase a new server.

“That’s reason enough to love Grassroots.org,” Kauffman said. “Society is so tech-oriented now that almost everyone has access to a computer and the Internet. Now our community can ‘see’ us online. It’s just another tool for us to help the people of our community.”

Grassroots.org selected Birthright Earth from more than 2,000 eligible organizations as its September Member of the Month.

Each month, Grassroots.org chooses one member whose work best fulfills its mission: To serve as a catalyst for positive social change by leveraging modern technologies and best business practices.

Four main criteria are used to evaluate the websites: activity, growth, creativity and navigability. With its inviting web design and effective use of Grassroots.org tools, Birthright Earth excelled in each of these categories.

“As an organization, we want to see other nonprofits succeed and grow because of the services we provide,” said Shane Hankins, Executive Director of Grassroots.org. “The Birthright Earth website is a great example of how technology can impact communities around the world.”

Inspired by, but not affiliated with, the Birthright Israel program, Birthright Earth aims to teach youth about the environment through firsthand experience. Birthright Earth selects applicants for 10-day, fully funded trips through the Amazon rainforest that include hiking, canoeing, field research and lectures.

Its website reflects that goal. Compelling photos and vibrant design attracted younger audiences to the site, which furthers the Birthright Earth mission to build environmental awareness in younger generations, Founder and President Timothy Devane said.

“Grassroots.org allowed us to start reaching out to the younger generations that our program revolves around,” Devane said. “It's one thing to develop ideas and programs within an organization, but our root need to present ourselves to and interact with young people would have been impossible without Grassroots.org.”

We're thrilled to present A Drink for Tomorrow as our first-ever Member of the Month!

Starting this August, we’ll designate the award-winner monthly. We’ll judge organizations’ websites based on four main criteria: navigability, activity, growth and creativity.

Stephanie Weaver and Brian Morrison founded the New Jersey-based organization in November 2008, shortly after graduating from Georgetown University. The mission focuses on raising "money and awareness in order to provide affordable and sustainable cleandrinking water to those who currently lack this essential right."

A Drink for Tomorrow earned the first award for its inviting design and effective use of Grassroots.org partnerships. Web design volunteer Pandora Web Box created the site, and the organization belongs to Grassroots.org partner DoSomething.org.

Locally, A Drink for Tomorrow sets itself apart through its creative fundraising and awareness campaign. Its inaugural "Turn Wine into Water" project raised at least $4,000 by teaming up with local wine merchants who donated a portion of all sales to the organization.