Fundraising for NaNoWriMo (and then some)

Hi everyone!

As everyone knows, NaNoWriMo is run by a nonprofit organization, the Office of Letters and Light. Every year, NaNoWriMo brings in more and more participants, and each year, more and more resources are needed to run this event. Being non-profit, the Office of Letters and Light relies on the help or donations of other people who support the same cause as they do.

Ever since I've become ML, I've always tried to give back to NaNoWriMo because it's done so much for my writing dream. I know a lot of you have donated as well, and have helped in NaNoWriMo in some way, like doing stuff so you can donate even when you're broke.

So we thought we'd take a step further this year.

We've come up with some fund raising ideas that we can do as a region and individually for NaNoWriMo this year. Please note that this is a volunteer effort and it is NOT mandatory for you to do this to be able to join NaNoWriMo this year. :) This is just a list of ideas that we can do to help out this great organization that gives us this much fun during November. We do want to make NaNoWriMo last for a long time, right?

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. Because of the recent typhoons that hit the country, we've decided that a part of the funds that we will be able to raise this year will be donated to help the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. :) That way, we won't only be helping NaNoWriMo, but we'll be able to help our fellowmen who got devastated by these calamities.

So here are the ideas:

1. Donating through the store. This is the most basic and the one that can get you a halo on your name immediately. :) Donations can be done at the store through credit card or Paypal. If you don't have any but you want to donate, I can let you use my Paypal account to be able to donate to your name. :) If you're interested, just NaNoMail me so we can make arrangements. :)

2. Get Sponsored. You can set up a GiftTool page to get people to sponsor you and donate on your name. If you do want to do that, please make sure you join the PinoyWrimos team.

* Of course for #1 and 2 all donations will be directed to NaNoWriMo, and not to the typhoon victims. That's where the next ideas would come in :)

3. Something like Pondo ng Pinoy. Thanks to Milky/Nadine for this idea. During November, you can set aside a bottle or a coin bank, and whenever you don't meet your word count for the day or procrastinate (or it could be the reverse), you drop an amount into the bottle. At the end of November, the amount collected in the bottles will be counted, and we'll donate the amount to OLL and Ondoy/Pepeng charities.

4. Pledging Thanks to Liana for coming up with this one! Here's the mechanics for pledging:

5. Donation box at Pinoywrimo events. Got some spare change? Or you're just feeling generous? A donation box will be available at every Pinoywrimo meet up, so you can drop your donations there. :) Again, donating isn't mandatory, so you can ignore it for all you want, but all help you give will go a long way, promise. :)

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So far those are just the ideas. More ideas are welcome, of course! We'll start a separate thread for pledging soon as soon as we get the sheets done, and you can start then.

Also, I'll be posting an update on where all donations would go after all has been collected and given, just so you know where it all went. :)

Note that these fundraising efforts are all for the Office of Letters and Light and Ondoy/Pepeng charities. If you want to help out in the local events, drop me a note, so we can talk about how you can help! :) Volunteers are always welcome! :)

Once again, none of these ideas are mandatory for you to join and enjoy NaNoWriMo 2009. :) Any help will be greatly appreciated, but don't feel pressured to do so. :D

Reactions/comments/suggestions are all welcome! :D

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Tina, ML for the Philippines
Refine Me | PinoyWrimos | @pinoywrimos