Environmental microphilanthropy
Especially in hard economic times like this, it’s difficult for smaller non-profits and volunteer groups to compete for grant funding. Online microphilantropy organization ioby helps groups with small-scale environmental projects in New York City connect with potential donors and volunteers. (ioby stands for “in our backyards” in a riff on the common NIMBY “not in my backyard” sentiment.) The site allows for pooling of tiny donations into large enough sums to support local projects. Some project examples include a composting education class in Astoria (total budget $115), a community garden restoration project and a beach cleanup day.
Left: All People’s Garden in the Lower East Side, where project organizers need $2,938 to remove cement, debris and replant trees and shrubs. Right: A project in the Rockaways seeks $345 in ioby support to design and construct rainwater catchment systems and educate volunteers about stormwater management.
(via No Impact Man)
