"American Idol" does it. ArtPrize does it. So does "Dancing with the Stars." So, why not ask the public to select one more thing with this interactive way of getting the public involved? Which charity in your community deserves a slice of $5 million?
JP Morgan Chase Bank is asking its Facebook fans to select which of more than 500,000 non-profit organizations nationwide listed on its Facebook page deserves a cut of $5 million the bank will give away to charity. There are more than 50 local organizations from which to choose in the Chase Community Giving contest. Viewers are encouraged to add other charities as long as they are 501(c) (3) organizations and have an annual operating budget of less than $10 million.
Each fan is allotted 20 votes until the first round of voting ends Dec. 11. The top 100 vote-getters will each be awarded $25,000. From the 100 finalists, Facebook fans will be able to select from Jan. 15 through Jan. 22 their top five choices. The winner will be awarded the grand prize of $1 million and the five runners up will each be given $100,000. Winners will be announced Feb. 8.
"We thought what a great idea!" says Brenda Stringer, the executive director of the John Ball Zoo Society. She says a co-worker heard about the give-away and went online to discover the Society was already on the Chase Community Giving list. "I think it's an interesting way for a large business like that to do some of their giving. Obviously, its philanthropic marketing that will benefit themselves as well. The whole idea is to go viral.
"Normally when you ask for a contribution or apply for a grant, you have to prove yourselves, have a structured request, and earn it," Stringer says. "This is really like the American Idol way of giving. It's odd. But certainly, I don't think there is any charity that would turn this down."
"You decide what matters," the Chase website says. "A new way forward for giving."
Source: Brenda Stringer, John Ball Zoological Society; JP Morgan Chase website "Chase Community Giving"
Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.