Making a Difference with CauseCast
We caught up with CauseCast at TwiistUp, who are soon to be launching their social media platform for change. They are essentially a social network that connects people to causes in the ways they want to support them. They are targeting people who want to give back in different areas, including causes related to animals, art, education, the environment, the community and more. CauseCast is hoping to alleviate the pressures of fundraising that non-profits have to go through and help them to find new users and new ways of receiving support online.
CauseCast has a widget network as well that users can incorporate into their other social networks, like Facebook and Myspace. They want to help leaders in their respective causes and others who are passionate to spread the word and get others involved. People can get involved in different ways, such as volunteering, donating money, educating people on issues and more.
The main requirement to be featured on CauseCast is to be 501c3 certified. CauseCast has a strategic partnership with Guidestar, who does a charity check to ensure each cause featured on the site is indeed a true non-profit. This is unique in the fact that no other sites in their competitive landscape require checks like this. This insures that all users will know they are becoming involved with a cause that is truly non-profit. Several charities are also now showing how exact dollar numbers are being used, so that donators know precisely what their donations are going to.
CauseCast is both a non-profit and a for profit business. Their revenue model will include unique, creative ways to make money such as mobile billing through things like text messages. A good example that Sloane cites is the American Idol Gives Back program.
CauseCast will feature forty non-profits on their site. The causes will not just be a part of the site, but will be showcased to highlight what they are doing in a unique fashion. If you are a non-profit that wants to get involved, email Sloane at Sloane@CauseCast.com.
