Today is MN Give to the Max Day through GiveMN.org. If you know people in MN, you’ve probably seen links and pleading for donations to various organizations. It can be a bit overwhelming. But let’s break this down a little bit.
This picture links to their FAQ. Cause QUESTIONS!
Give to the Max Day is a special day set up to raise as much in donations as possible. GiveMN and razoo provide an easy donation system that makes sure the donors get receipts for their taxes and everything. They handle all the money and that “donation” stuff so the organization can focus on things like incentives, performances, or just putting that money to good use.
Handy. But the big question is, why? Why one day? What’s so special about today? Can’t I give any day?
First, yes. You can give any day. On any given day, thousands of non profits in the Twin Cities can accept donations from you. You CAN donate. But $5 to your favorite charity says you don’t. It’s not that you’re a bad person. You’re a good person. You intend to give. You have the desire to give. But that 5 seconds that you think about it, you get distracted. Or money is tight, and you space on it for next paycheck. Or you get a candy bar or something.
Look, this isn’t to make you feel guilty. We ALL do it. So, these kids set aside a day to donate, that you can’t space out on or put off til later. Today is the day.
Second, prizes and incentives. All of the organizations have the opportunity to win more money. Also, many of them have matching abilities. So if you give them $10, they just got $20. Holy shit- what a deal!
Third, peer pressure. All the cool kids are doing it.
So, what follows is a bunch of pictures that link to different GiveMN opportunities, with a little description on why I’m promoting that charity. Some of them have affected me directly. Some of them are because of friends. Some of them are good causes that I’ve supported in the past. Some of them involve bunnies.
There is a lot here. There are THOUSANDS of opportunities on the site. Take a moment to find something to support. It does a heart good.
I studied improv at the Brave New Institute. I couldn’t have taken many of the classes I did if it wasn’t for full and partial scholarships I received.
The Companion Rabbit Network places homeless rabbits. Also, LOOK AT THAT FACE and say no
Camp Quest is a secular summer camp for free-thinking youth that a bunch of my friends put on. Who doesn’t like summer camp?
Every year I participate in their cancer walk. If you don’t know why funding cancer research is important, I got nuthin.
Comedy Corner Underground is owned and operated by local comedians. Bill and I have done a few shows there.
Comedy Suitcase produces comedy for all ages. Not kids comedy. All ages comedy, so parents get to enjoy the show as well. Can be tricky, but they always pull it off.
Compatible Technology International (CTI) creates practical tools that help poor communities in developing countries overcome their most crucial food and water challenges. My friends grandfather is heavily involved with this group.
Fraser is Minnesota’s largest and most experienced provider of autism services. This is another charity walk I do every year, and it’s never a large amount of people or money, because working with someone with autism is taxing.
human beings can be such dicks. We race greyhounds for our entertainment, and then, when they’re no longer good or fast enough…. well, this organization places as many retired greyhounds as possible.
I’m a big supporter of HUGE theater. They have drop in classes every Wed for super cheap, and they’ve let me play on their stage. And there’s a chair in that theater with my name on it. ALSO, stop by the theater today- they’re doing an improv-a-thon.
Daylight Center is a school, dormitory, and community outreach facility where children from the war-torn world of nomadic Kenya find safety, food, education, and love.
Minnesota Chorale is a group you might not hear from often because they are horribly under-funded. But OMG are they amazing! I’d love to hear more from them around the cities.
The Minnesota Reading Corps (through ServeMinnesota) helps tutor and teach reading to thousands of children. They’ve got a matching program AND every dollar donated locally leverages 3.5 dollars in a federal match. I feel really strongly about this one.
I love working with Six Elements Theater. I’ve done their Human Combat Chess show in the past. Their productions are always stellar.
MN Fringe Festival is really where I got my start in the theater scene here. I continue to be amazed at how many wonderful productions come out of a non-juried system.
My friend sends her kid here. “Each year, donations fund financial assistance for students. We include over $800,000 in our operational budget to help students in need; nearly $400,000 comes from the draw from the endowment and the rest comes from annual support. “
I have several crafty friends involved with this cooperative group. The idea of sharing space and tools, learning how to do all that building stuff… it’s a really awesome thing.
TheUpTake.org, celebrating its fifth year, is a nonprofit, citizen-driven news organization that acts as catalyst for positive change through the direct power of social media and storytelling.
Walking Shadow has done some AMAZING productions, and I was lucky enough to be involved in the one pictured here. Also, I’ve know John since I was like 12.