FUNDRAISING
“Local ‘SuperProm’ will forever change Kenya school.” By Matt Wilson. San Jose Mercury-News. March 8, 2010. During their freshman year, more than 90 percent of the Cupertino High School senior class signed a petition pledging to give all funds raised to the Nthimbiri Secondary School in Meru to upgrade its modest school facilities. Typically, student fundraisers help offset costs for junior and senior proms, but with all the money going toward the project, students simply paid more for ticket prices. Their 60-second video, featuring a montage of Cupertino High students and their adopted school in Kenya, received the most online votes in a nationwide SuperProm contest sponsored by Dell Computer.
“Food, Shelter, Disease Research Most Important For Giving, Poll Shows.” No by-line. Huffington Post. March 9, 2010. A new poll conducted by PARADE suggests what many in the nonprofit world have suspected: that the economic recession has made Americans more inclined to give and be involved in their communities, especially as it relates to helping the needy. It’s also likely to benefit future generations, as 90% of American parents say they teach their children the importance of activism. One of the most telling aspects of the poll is how it analyzes the causes Americans care about. Over 1,000 were asked how they would donate $100,000 to various causes. Applicants supported “food and shelter for the needy” the most, with “research to cure disease” coming in at a close second. Disaster relief, animal welfare and youth programs were third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Deemed the least deserving of contributions were “visual and or performing arts,” “promoting world democracy” and giving to religious charities.