DoSomething.org funds charities and projects

DoSomething.org, promotes non-profit organizations and encouraging people around the world to become involved with causes. It also promotes the belief that every individual has the power to make a difference. Its purpose is to “do something” whether it is in an individual’s community, nation or even the world.

The Web site is designed to “inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers.”

Doers are people who have faith in their own ability to accomplish a goal and take action. This organization provides the resources that allow their passionate ideas to turn into actions that evoke a difference.

It takes young adults (especially teenagers) with strong ideas; being an adult is not necessary to create change in an individual’s community. The resources, programs and products are available for use free of charge.

A privacy policy, states the information collected from users would be used only for the purpose for which it was collected and other limited purposes. Personal identifiable information would not be shared with a third party.

The Web site’s unique layout provides visitors many opportunities to become involved. Statistics has found that only 23 percent of this generation is actively involved with volunteering for the community, the goal of DoSomething is to increase that number to 51 percent, so that more than half of the young adults’ population are active volunteers.

The Web site has a variety of features on the home page including, “News of the Day,” “Cause of the Month,” “Cause Videos,” “Project of the Day” and “Share Something” are displayed.

The “News of the Day” lists information of ongoing events ranging from polls of the latest new advertisement to promote the organization to simple actions we could do to reflect our cause, such as Halloween costumes, to other causes that need expanding.

A variety of events, ideas and information would be displayed there. October’s “Cause of the Month” is Fight Teen Dating Abuse. “Cause Videos” display several awareness campaigns that allow viewers to be more strongly impacted by seeing it visually.

One video was anti-texting while driving. It depicts a violent crash of a group of three girls, one of whom was the driver. The driver was texting, distracting the other two as well.

The crash is seen from the point of view of the girls, therefore their physical injury during crash was shown.

This use of presentation is to evoke more emotions within the viewers - to get the message clearly out, which was anti-texting.

“The Project of the Day” displays one time activities that are usually formed by another group or organization that allows everyone from the community to participate in.

It usually has a group of community volunteers working towards to a similar cause. “Share Something” is a poll. It posts a question that may have some controversy to voters. Anyone is free to vote, there is no registration or need to identity your name, simply choose your answer.

After voting, the results of poll so far, would be displayed.

Within the Web site, there is a section in the right-hand corner that displays “Act Now.” For anyone who wants to be an active community member, the section allows you to choose what type of cause you want to join.

It also specifies choices of with whom (such as a club or an organization), what area you would prefer it take place in, and the length of the time you wish to volunteer for.

This gives the Web site the ability to narrow down the search for you and provide a list of ways for you to take action. It gives the opportunity to learn good leadership skills.

For those who wish to start their own club, by creating a DoSomething Club, the organization provides grants to help fund the idea, it also provides three annual mailings of action kits designed to help the club stay active.

There is a grant given out every week and without a deadline, notification is given within two to three weeks after application submission.

There are other awards provided. An online club profile is given to each club, in which pictures can be uploaded, announcements can be posted and connections with other clubs provided.

A great idea, supporters of it, passion, a fill-out of their application and anyone could be an active member causing change in the world for the better.