New to Squidoo!

I’m Anne Reidy, Squidoo’s new Nonprofit Organizer. The great people at Squdioo have noticed that lensmasters want to do more for their favorite charities. So I’m here to lead the groundswell for even more great lenses for nonprofits. And what better way to help than to organize, listen, empower and lead people who believe passionately in something.

I’ve spent seven years of volunteering for, studying and working in nonprofits. It’s been a exhilarating and frustrating experience. I have learned a lot about structure and practice, much good may it do me. I have met the most inspirational people who work on behalf of something neither for glory nor accolades but rather because they simply believe it is the right thing to do. Such people have a viral effect – they infect you with their belief so much so that you want to help too. Even if they’re only 10 or 20 or 50 in number, those people become the real heart of the cause.

The problem is that sharing powerful stories through the traditional fundraising structures (i.e. direct mail, telethons, and events) often rings with a note of inauthentic self-congratulations. The structure belies the efforts of the people who work so hard on behalf of causes in which they believe so passionately.

I believe there has to be a different way. Nonprofits have to redefine the way they reach out. The cost of direct mail, telethons and events continue to rise with a diminished return. No one wants to go to a black tie event at the Waldorf Astoria but people DO want to help. And it’s not always about donating money, either.

The people who believe in the causes they serve may not be the millionaires and moguls who change names on the buildings, but they are the ones who can make the most difference. They need a forum for sharing their story and their passion all in a way that helps their cause.

Enter Squidoo! I think Squidoo can help change the fundamental nature of fundraising and idea-spreading. Make it not about the big and the showy but rather about the powerful and the personal.

So I’m am here to help grow a network of people who want to support their causes and ideas and charities by making pages about them on Squidoo.

There are some great stories to tell. What’s yours?

Tell me! Drop me a note or visit my lens.