But, have you ever noticed that when something is simple, people SUSPECT that something more complicated is at play?  A favorite quote of mine from Sir Richard Branson is “Any fool can make something complex.  It is hard to keep things simple.”  This has been evidenced this month as we have received inquiries regarding Richmond Unite and befuddled questions about our mission, who we are, how we do it and what is our mission, which is really quite simple:  We financially uplift those organizations in Richmond, VA that support our youth.  Simple.  We give money to other organizations.  It isn’t complicated.  We have minimal overhead, we have a small, no-frills board.  We rely on the most awesome team of volunteers to walk the face of the earth.

Yup.  Ricky the Billionairre is right, it is hard to keep things simple, but I would add, that it’s only hard if we lose focus of our mission and allow outside anxiety to cause us to sway.

Let me know things that are going on in your life that you are keeping ‘simple’ and how you do it.  We need to learn from each other!

Meanwhile, keep doing good.

-Alice

Here are six reasons why:

1. Community good will. Participating in your community is vital for your small business. It is difficult to sustain a small business, even more so during difficult economic times. One way to ensure that your business thrives in your community is to help build a thriving community.
2. Success breeds success.  Align yourself with organizations that are doing good things with the support of other successful businesses.
3. Marketing opportunities.  The community is more apt to support a business that they feel is part of their world.  When you donate cash or services, non-profit organizations usually have some sort of recognition program that will bring awareness to your business.
4. Create a 360 enterprise.  You are in business FOR PROFIT providing a specific service.  Support a charity that echoes the service you provide and you become a well-rounded business.
5. Establish yourself as an expert.  Contributions don’t have to drain your small business bank account. All organizations have a need for time, energy and expertise.
6. Getting to know your community.   The more you get involved the more you will know the needs of the community and be able to find ways to meet them. That’s expertise that no focus group can provide for you.

It is easy to get started in your community – today – right now!

It may seem like I have taken a hiatus from writing, but it’s actually voting time here at Richmond Unite and it is “all hands on deck”!

So, instead of writing to you, I am asking you to visit our voting page – it costs you NOTHING – and vote each and every day for one of our participating charities.  If you think what they are doing is worthy, show them your support by casting a vote!

Until next time,

Alice

Be good and do good!

I will share them with you one by one…try them out and let me know what you think.  The one I worked on last week is Free Rice (www.freerice.com)  According to the site manager, the site has over a million registered players just by word-of-mouth!  The gist is this:  you play a word game.  each time you get the right answer, grains of rice go into a pot.  They have raised enough raise to feed millions of people!  Isn’t that just too cool?

Be thankful for the a/c today and for the fact that you don’t have to rely on people to play an online game in order for you to be fed.

Be good,

Alice

I viewed some of the videos and learned so much and was moved greatly.  Here is one particularly fearless video about cholera – graphic but it needs to be to explain the disease.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1VNSCsP5Q&feature=player_embedded

And, in case you haven’t seen it, here is our little video from our inaugural event last year.

Have a great week and be sure to DO SOMETHING GOOD!

-Alice

Non-profit’s can go online and register a challenge that they need help with.  Because the challenge is web-based, it must meet the following criteria when posted to the community of volunteers:

• Consists of work that can be done entirely online
• Can be completed in a short amount of time
• Has a clear deliverable and a deadline

It is easy to upload a challenge and there is ZERO (zilch, nada, diddly!) cost.

The  volunteer can easily register and they will get a weekly email with options based on their interests.  So, the next time you are sitting in the doc’s office, or waiting for your delayed flight, go to Sparked and while you wait you can do some good (some tasks take as few as 5 minutes!)

Hey – my nonprofit friends – if you post a challenge, drop me a line and let me know how it works out for you…let’s let people know!

91 degrees here in Richmond and all is well,

Alice

Last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to attend the American Heart Association Gala (thanks dear friends at ORC!)  The decor was beautiful at The Science Museum, the people were dressed “to the nines” and all was a delight! 

There were so many signs of people giving to this charity in many different ways: young people checking us in, community leaders serving as auction attendants, local businesses donating spectacular prizes and many, many generous donors who bid on those prizes.

Remember, everyone can do  something  to help an organization.  Time, talent, money or service…there is something you can do!  (Just think about the glamour and fun these two ladies - Miss Virginia and Mrs. Virginia - brought to the event!)

Our RVA is a very giving community and I was once again proud to be a Richmonder.

Until we meet again I remain yours truly,

Alice

Last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to attend the American Heart Association Gala (thanks dear friends at ORC!)  The decor was beautiful at The Science Museum, the people were dressed “to the nines” and all was a delight! 

There were so many signs of people giving to this charity in many different ways: young people checking us in, community leaders serving as auction attendants, local businesses donating spectacular prizes and many, many generous donors who bid on those prizes.

Remember, everyone can do  something  to help an organization.  Time, talent, money or service…there is something you can do!  (Just think about the glamour and fun these two ladies - Miss Virginia and Mrs. Virginia - brought to the event!)

Our RVA is a very giving community and I was once again proud to be a Richmonder.

Until we meet again I remain yours truly,

Alice

Yea, that’s right.  In less than 9 months, we established a nonprofit, hosted a world-class event with Sir Richard Branson, David Karp and Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and gave back over $300,000 to other charities.  The word  can’t  doesn’t really exist!

what shall Richmond Unite blog about?