| Dear Friends,
We're all busy this time of year so I'm going to keep this note very brief. I want to point first to a NY Times article written recently on online giving. I do so not to add to the mounting criticism of popular giving mechanisms but rather to remind you, our donors, that Setso Project offers you a direct, cost effective, link to development work in Botswana.
Next, I offer you four ways to get involved in Setso Project's important and COST EFFECTIVE work.
One
We need to build our contact and donor list. Please take a moment to forward this email to friends and family you think would be interested in our work. Tell them why you care about Setso Project and encourage them to sign up for our e-news
Two
With the holiday season just around the corner, many of us are asking the perennial question "what in the world do I need?" Maybe you have long forgone presents in favor of donations to charities you respect. This year we invite you to take it a step further - Take on a fundraising challenge! Here's how it works:
- You pick a project on our site that you love.
- You pledge to raise $500 or more.
- We set up a special donation page with a photo of you and a short explanation of why you care.
- Donations roll in, you don't have 18 scented soaps you'll never use, we get to continue to support vital development work in Botswana with little or no overhead.
Three
For the ultra-inspired - Take on a bigger challenge. Dream of something you'd love to see more of in the world:. Soccer camps for kids, dance or music lessons, HIV education. Again, here's how it works:
- You dream big.
- You pledge to raise the funds needed.
- We make it happen.
- It doesn't get more hands on than this. Unless you want to start your own 501c3.
Four
What does it take to turn unlucky circumstances into prosperity? At Setso Project, we want to try something out and we need your help: Unconditional Cash Transfers. What does it mean? For years conditional cash transfers have been touted by policy makers and practitioners as an effective method of aiding the poor. These grants offer financial assistance conditional on some socially desirable behavior, such as school attendance or health clinic visits. Recently there has been growing debate about whether such grants can be made effective WITHOUT conditions. In other words, people are starting to consider the idea that the poor may actually be able to decide for themselves what to do with additional money. Read more about the debate and consider working with Setso Project to implement this exciting idea. Here's how it would work:
- We find a family that needs financial support (shouldn't be hard to do).
- You pledge to send them money monthly for 2 years.
- We all sit back and watch them reap the benefits, or not, but either way- you're sharing the wealth.
If any of these ideas draw you in, please send me an email at rlowry@setsoproject.org or give me a call at 203 298 8659 |
