It’s understandable that some people are skeptical about nonprofit organizations. We work hard for our money and when we give it away, where does it go? There are organizations like Charity Navigator that provide objective ratings of nonprofits, though in this economy ratings agencies of all kinds have drawn criticism. I’ve always found that restricted giving, donations that go to a specific nonprofit program designated by the donor, are a good avenue for people who want more control over where their donations go.
Donorschoose.org takes restricted giving to an even more personal level. With their platform, donors select the specific classrooms and classroom projects they want to fund at public schools all over the country. Fine art in New Orleans, Spanish in Chicago, basic kindergarten skills in Topeka, reading in Anaheim. It’s your money; you decide what initiatives to fund at Donorschoose.org.
Now, we have the chance to help public school children across the U.S. to get the programming and materials they need to succeed. And it won’t cost you a dime – only a few seconds of your time and a couple clicks of your computer. American Express will donate $1M to Donorschoose.org if 100,000 people like you and me pledge to help public education in the one of the following ways by the end of the day today, October 1st:
– Donate school supplies to a local school
– Host a foreign exchange student
– Tutor a struggling student
– Volunteer time at a local library (that’s the one I chose!)
– Help a child learn to read
American Express will then email you to let you know about opportunities to fulfill your pledge to volunteer on behalf of public education. Click here, and let’s help Donorschoose.org make a difference in our communities.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
It’s understandable that some people are skeptical about nonprofit organizations. We work hard for our money and when we give it away, where does it go? There are organizations like Charity Navigator that provide objective ratings of nonprofits, though in this economy ratings agencies of all kinds have drawn criticism. I’ve always found that restricted giving, donations that go to a specific nonprofit program designated by the donor, are a good avenue for people who want more control over where their donations go. 
Christa Avampato 