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Fund-raising is getting more and more Web 2.0, and if like me you hadn't noticed, there's a great website for public schools in the US called DonorsChoose. To make it even more fun, HP is sponsoring this year's Social Media Competition, challenging bloggers to get their readers to donate more than other bloggers' readers. I guess you could say it's "social media envy for a good cause"...

Some people compare DonorsChoose with Kiva,  a site that lets people provide microloans direct to worthy projects. In the case of DonorsChoose, it's more like "micro gifts" that add up to a real impact, if enough people participate. From their website:

At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy.

So, if you're a teacher  at a public school in the US, you can post a wish list.

If you're a blogger and you want to use your social network to inspire donations to some of your favorite projects posted in DonorsChoose, you can join the Social Media Challenge and create a Giving Page to send your readers to (DonorsChoose will give you Widget to put on your blog, too)

I love it!

(I also work for HP, which is sponsoring the Social Media Challenge - so my blog is not eligible to compete. Sigh. But how 'bout yours?)

Jim Vanides, B.S.M.E, M.Ed.
Worldwide Education Programs
HP Global Social Investment
Hewlett-Packard
Twitter @jgvanides

For information about the HP Global Social Investments, visit www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants