echoDonations.org™ Blog

Alan Levine
Throughout your life, perhaps you’ve experienced the death of a loved one to cancer, or perhaps you know children that have been born with a physical disability, or perhaps your brother or sister suffers from a learning disability. Many individuals that experience these stumbling blocks in life often become passionate about these experiences, and want to help other people overcome them. Recently, I read an article about a young man who ran a marathon for social change: Alan Levine (AKA Cogdog Blog) raised money for the American Diabetes Association by participating in an annual marathon: the 2006 Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Half-Marathon. I applaud his efforts — It takes a lot of time and dedication to train for a marathon!

I’d love to hear some stories of ways you support causes you are passionate about!

Welcome back all,

I have a few thoughts I think you might like to hear. I ran across an article the other day regarding some skepticism, rumors, and stats regarding philanthropy in general. The article reveals that 59% percent of people express a genuine concern about where exactly the money they donate ends up. Also, 46% are worried about charity fraud or theft of funds or services. How much of their donation is actually given to the charity? How is the money given to those in need? Where exactly does your money go? Is some of the donation kept by an intermediary? Is there a high processing fee? All of these are questions that need to be considered when making a donation to any nonprofit organization. How do you feel about these concerns? Have you experienced any of these problems before? How did you handle it?

Despite these concerns I mentioned, the article also reveals that 68% do in fact give their money to charities they care about. What about you? If you donate, what are some of your favorite causes or charities you like to support? If you’d like to read more of this article and others like it, check out contributemedia.com.

Within echoDonations.org, we really want to clarify any ambiguities for donors. If you are concerned about charity fraud or additional hidden fees, please don’t hesitate to ask us. As an intermediary, echoDonations.org makes sure that the money you donate goes to the specific organization you choose. Secondly, because everything is processed online, operating funds amount to only 5%. The other 95% is given to the charity. Take a look at “How it works,” and “Lowest Fees,”, and “CMF’s Simplified” for a more detailed explanation. We are also available for live chat with you 5 days a week!

Hi everyone,

My name is Michelle, the newest member to the team at echoDonations.org (echo). As a new member, I have jumped into the world of nonprofit organizations; charities, service organizations, foundations, endowments, etc. I have found a place that genuinely cares for the well-being of everyone. During my time at echo, I want to keep this blog alive, and use it as a tool to keep readers interested and updated on all of our exciting news and great opportunities.

In today’s world, nonprofit communities struggle just to maintain basic operating funds. Donor loyalty is hard to come by – donors often come and go like the wind. When funds become scarce, it hurts the simple objective of most nonprofits - assisting those in need.

Since I have been working with echo, I have discovered that a vast majority of people who donate to nonprofits are very wealthy. Celebrities often give to their favorite charities – they receive great tax breaks and a lot of recognition for their generosity. The benefits are obviously far greater for someone who donates $1,000,000 as opposed to someone who donates a mere $100.

What about the rest of the population that wants to give, but can’t afford to give away a huge amount of money? echoDonations.org has come up with an innovative, web-based solution for this particular segment of people. Through its Lifetime Cash Rewards™ program anyone can donate as little as $25 to a charity of their choice, and still receive tax benefits and cash rewards every year as the fund grows. It’s a bit like owning stock in a company and receiving a return on your investment every year for your entire lifetime. Why shouldn’t everyone have an option like this? Does it sound like something you would like to do? Being wealthy shouldn’t be a requirement in order to donate to nonprofits.

I believe that giving to those in need should be a simple, sensible process. Echo does just that—I wish everyone could see the amazing benefits of giving a small amount of money to charities and other service organizations, as it will continue to grow throughout their lifetime. Questions? Is it simple and sensible to you? Let me know what you think!

by Nathan Brown

Dear Friends of echoDonations.org

With the cold weather and hectic shopping associated with the holiday season, it’s easy to lose track of the simple things that make this time of year special. Whether it’s eating that delicious homemade holiday dinner, spending time with friends and family, or seeing the smile on someone’s face by giving them a gift; the holidays can’t be summed up by how much money you spend on someone.

For that reason, we are beginning an annual tradition of giving back to the nonprofit community by giving away 20 copies of our software. We need your help by sharing this NPO coupon with all of the nonprofits you know that need donor loyalty and on-line fundraising capabilities.

These organizations must meet the following qualifications:

• Less than two years old
• Have less than 1 million dollars in revenue

The Charity Loyalty Rewards™ software package from echoDonations.org™ gives these organizations the ability to offer Lifetime Cash Rewards™ for their donors, while collecting operating funds and endowment building donations on-line.

We believe that with your help, we can strengthen the nonprofit community and maintain the holiday spirit.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday,

Nathan Brown

echoDonations.org

Click here for a pdf of the coupon.

by Ryan R. Rosensweig
Director of Internet Marketing & Design

Business Courier - Article!

Hot off the press! The Cincinnati Business Courier has written an article profiling echoDonations.org and our commitment to changing the online donation giving industry. Check out a pdf of the article here.

It is really exciting to see a publication write such a detailed article on us and truly understand our mission and concept.

I hope you enjoy the article, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or leave a comment!

by Ryan R. Rosensweig
Director of Internet Marketing & Design

We have completed our official press release announcing echoDonations.org™ - you can check it out over at our news section or download a pdf at this link.

by Ryan R. Rosensweig
Director of Internet Marketing & Design

I am proud to announce that, after over a year of development, echoDonations.org finally launches today, October 26, 2007.

by Larry Pauly

I first met Chris Hytry-Derrington when he took a chance to meet with members of the local Association of Fundraising Professionals at their 2005 One Day Conference. I immediately believed that his ideas were valid, so when he asked me to become a sort of advisor, I never thought that it might lead to echodonations.org or any such technology. In short, I was unsure that it would work. What I saw was an unbelievably intelligent process and a driver (Chris) who had an immense amount of experience in start-up companies. When he and I reviewed, and conservatively edited the estimated outcomes (on mile-wide spreadsheets, no less) I understood the power he was about to unleash. What impressed me further was his tenacity to see it through. I have observed him in many challenging situations defending his position, and taking ideas and advice to higher levels. Today, the world gets to utilize what I think is the smartest way for nonprofit institutions to add an invisible staff person which will generate income, endowment and planned gifts all in one. There’s no place on the planet that can accomplish that, that’s why it’s internet-based. Echo is something that needs to be tried out to be appreciated.

by Ryan R. Rosensweig
Director of Internet Marketing & Design

As we go through the final stages of testing, we are almost ready to launch echoDonations.org. Keep your eyes out at the end of next week for our official launch.

by Christopher Hytry Derrington
Board of Directors nonprofitSherpa.org

Today, our parent organization, nonprofitSherpa.org www.nonprofitsherpa.org received its 501(c)3 approval from the Internal Revenue Service.

Within nonprofitSherpa’s petition to the IRS, we clearly stated we were going to launch the world’s first online charitable mutual fund. That caused them to scratch their heads for a while as they had to work thru the various legal issues.

Numerous letters and thousands of dollars in legal fees later, we’ve accomplished another goal in the march to creating a new way for the general public to donate to their favorite charities.