Social change organization Stand Together is calling on Americans to “donate the difference” of their holiday savings toward organizations that are working to help break the cycle of poverty. Through its Make It Count campaign, Stand Together will match all donations toward any of the 100+ organizations in its national network now through Tuesday, doubling dollars and expanding impact.
The campaign spotlights more than 50 funding opportunities for social entrepreneurs across the country. Stand Together has recognized the organizations that offer these opportunities for demonstrating the ability to solve the nation’s toughest problems and help people improve their lives.
“Through the Make It Count initiative, people can learn about and donate to some of the most effective and creative community-based organizations across the country,” says Evan Feinberg, Executive Director at Stand Together. “We’re on a mission to break the cycle of poverty by supporting and building a network of the most innovative and effective nonprofits committed to building strong and safe communities. We hope people will consider supporting these organizations that are doing real, meaningful work so that we can double the difference.”
As part of Stand Together’s network, Cafe Momentum, a Dallas-based restaurant and culinary training facility, works to help young people who’ve spent time in juvenile facilities turn their lives around. Chad Houser, founder and CEO of Café Momentum, leads the operation.
“Everything we do in this restaurant is designed to build momentum so that when these kids leave they are on a trajectory to meet their full potential” says Houser. “We believe in them and we want to empower them to define themselves and their future. This is our way of trying to fix the problems with the criminal justice system. While about half of the kids released from juvenile facilities in Texas end up back there within a year, 85 percent of our kids never go back.”
Stand Together’s website states, “We believe that individuals and communities are the key to discovering innovative solutions to breaking the cycle of poverty. We’re redefining the way that social change happens by identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs and community-based solutions that help people in poverty transform their lives. When these barriers are removed, everyone has the potential to thrive and live a meaningful life.”
This new campaign is the latest effort to unite business and community in an effort to reduce poverty and make a substantial difference in many lives. On Cyber Monday, Stand Together will call on online shoppers to also donate a portion of their purchase savings. In 2017, online transactions in the United States reached $6.59 billion on Cyber Monday. That same year, on Giving Tuesday, initiatives raised more than $274 million from 2.5 million contributions.