Social media plus celebrities does not always equal a hit

This is a look back at a story from The NonProfit Times TV Broadcast

The subject of fundraising has become quite an art in recent years with a variety of strategies being employed to elicit the largest levels of support possible. Two things that many Americans increasingly exhibit an interest in are that of celebrity and social media. One might think that in combining these two factors to create a fundraising strategy, that the resultant success would be substantial and impressive. As it turns out, this cannot always be guaranteed to be the case. At the end of the day, it is impossible to predict how the public will respond to a given online marketing strategy.

Alicia Keys and friends earn disappointing results
Recently and online marketing event was organized called Digital sacrifice. It was an event organized by Alicia Keys in aid of the charity she has created called Keep a Child Alive. A number of high profile celebrities joined forces with Keys in an attempt to make a success of this event, including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Usher. The premise of this event was that these and other celebrities would stay off social media networks until an amount of $1 million was raised. At the end of the day, the star-studded team pulled in disappointing results over a six-day period, with only $450,000 raised.


A billionaire comes to the rescueA pharmaceutical executive by the name of Stewart Rahr injected himself into the equation and pledged the outstanding $550,000, and thereby unleashing the celebrities in question back into the world social media. It just goes to show that there is more often than not no such thing as a sure bet when it comes to fundraising strategies. Nonprofits would do well not to limit their fund-raising activities to innovative digital plans and methods. The key is to think creatively across a broad range of mediums, and not to put all of one's eggs in one basket. Diversification and variety will go a long way towards ensuring the most successful fundraising campaign possible.

Celebrities Stepping Up To The Charitable Plate

The group known as dosomething.org recently released its latest top 10 list, based on people who have made extraordinary contributions to charitable causes during 2010. That is the subject matter of this video that sheds light on the increasing amount of charitable efforts undertaken by a variety of celebrities. Lady Gaga topped the list at the number one spot for her involvement in gay rights and her call for the end of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Lady Gaga has been actively involved in a variety of other charities, channeling the proceeds from her involvement to HIV and AIDS research and care programs.

The list goes on
A number of other well known personalities embraced personal involvement in charitable endeavors in 2010. Alicia Keys took the 2nd spot on the list for her work with her 'Keep A Child Alive' campaign focused on providing support for HIV and AIDS victims around the world. Providing support and encouragement for victims of floods was what earned singer Taylor Swift the number three spot on the list, a cause that she has donated half a million dollars towards. A focus on the tragic and urgent issue of child sex trafficking was what earned Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore the number four spot on the list.

Other individuals who made the dosomething.org top 10 list were Matt Damon for his efforts to bring clean drinking water and sanitation infrastructures to the Third World. Leonardo DiCaprio made a significant contribution in 2010 towards saving endangered tigers, and was also involved in raising awareness regarding global warming and other environmental issues. Justin Bieber is another celebrity who made the list as a result of his charitable fundraising efforts. Be sure to view the video to see what good work some of your favorite celebrities have been involved in.