October 15, 2009

A real way to end poverty that you, the giver can control…

On October 15, 2009 the ChristmasFuture Foundation will take a landmark step towards the goal of eradicating extreme poverty in the developing world by launching a new and improved year round platform. From this date forward we will be known as UEnd: and changing the world just got easier.

What is the UEnd difference? Let’s compare:

Traditional Charity:

Big bucket philanthropy

No control over how your money is spent

High admin costs (20% or more)

A blackhole of information on the impact of the money you donated

Donation based- usually estate planning and tax time people think about this

Tax receipt

Top down program approach- generally the charity decides what is best for the people

Aid mentality produces culture of dependency

Target deep pockets

UEnd:

Micro donations

You choose were you want your gift to go, 100% of money goes to projects

3% credit card processing fee

Quarterly proof of the impact of your dollars

Gift card based- so anytime you buy a gift you can help end poverty

Tax receipt

Bottom up program approach- delivered by approved partners that work in the countries on a regular basis

Asset based approach- develop the skills the people have and work together toward a solution that is sustainable.

Target everyday people that buy gifts and want to get involved

Those are some pretty big differences!

Previously UEnd (as ChristmasFuture) focused only on the 1 trillion dollar consumer spending of the holiday season but with this new platform will open all sorts of possibilities. Jay Baydala, Executive Director and Founder of UEnd says “everyone has a role to play in ending extreme poverty. UEnd provides the tools that let the everyday person play their part in changing the world. Even small contributions make a big difference. Now the ways to end poverty are bound only by individual creativity. Off the top of my head here are three easy ideas: throw a birthday party but ask for gifts through uend.org or host a Stampede party and have your guests “buy UEnd a round”; or pool those secretly chagrined secret Santa gifts at the office into one larger gift for a uend project. You can give a damn!”

Along with the new name is a whole new look that was designed through our partnership with Karo Communications. Visit the new website at www.uend.org. While there sign up for OneYoga our current event being held November 15, 2009 and hit the mat to end extreme poverty or purchase a gift for a family member or friend.