News: A 'Causes' Application for Twitter, Free Online Auction Tools

A 'Causes' Application for Twitter
Right on the heels of Facebook's announcement that more than $10 million has been raised via its Causes site came the unveiling late last week of a similar application for Twitter.

Called TwitCause, the service — created by Experience Project and launched in partnership with The V Foundation — features a new cause each week on its Twitter page. TwitCause then encourages its Twitter followers to donate to the cause of the week and retweet information about each week's cause to their networks of followers. The retweets link individuals back to the site where they can donate money to the cause of the week via PayPal.

TwitCause followers can visit the TwitCause Web site to vote for the next cause of the week. Currently in the running for next cause of the week — which is selected every Thursday — are the Lance Armstrong Foundation (in first place with the most votes), the American Red Cross, Greenpeace and The Humane Society of the United States.

Followers also can send suggestions of organizations to feature by tweeting TwitCause, including the Twitter username for the nonprofit they are nominating preceded by the @ symbol.

Site Lets Nonprofits Hold Fundraising Auctions, Raffles for Free
IDonateToCharity.org is a Web site that offers nonprofits the ability to hold online fundraisers such as auctions and raffles free of charge.

The site, launched in 2008 and recently redesigned, offers three main fundraising options: Nonprofits can set up online fundraising storefronts to sell new or donated items; they can host charity auctions; and individuals can set up personal donation pages in lieu of gifts for weddings, etc., that benefit the charities of their choices.

Charities can list up to 50 items in their storefronts at any one time for free. Stores can be upgraded to allow 100 items for a fee of $4.95 a month.