The Financial Power of Social Networks
Here’s a guest post from our friends at Family Pride, the national non-profit organization helping to secure family equality for all loving families. Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director shares these words…
We all know the value of a dollar. But few people think about the power of a dollar. Or, say, the power of 500 million dollars. 
That’s the estimated combined budget of the four richest right-wing fundamentalist Christian groups – all of which oppose LGBTQ equality. It may appear to be a David and Goliath situation, but there’s good news: we’re smarter.
Here’s how. If someone gives you $10, then your funding increases by that amount. But, if someone gives you $10 and asks ten friends to do the same, your funding increases by $110. If those ten friends ask ten friends, then the amount increases to $1110. That’s the power of grassroots organizing, and that’s the power of harnessing social networks. And now, in addition to a substantial increase in funding, you have 111 new individuals participating in social change.
That’s the idea behind the Kevin Bacon Challenge. Last month, the actor launched a website called sixdegrees.org based on the now infamous “six degrees of Kevin Bacon.” The website lets individuals create “badges” to add to their blogs and websites that encourage donations to a charity of their choice. Our board co chair, Ken Manford, created a badge for Family Pride. Here’s the clincher: Kevin Bacon will give $10,000 to the six organizations with the highest number of donations. So, this isn’t a contest of who can raise the most money. It’s a contest of who can involve the most people; it’s a contest of grassroots organizing and the ability to tap into social networks to ignite change.
Family Pride’s goal is 1,138 donations by March 31st. Why 1,138? Because that’s the number of federal laws and provisions that guarantee rights and privileges for married couples. Because that’s the number of federal laws and provisions that exclude LGBTQ families. It’s time to take a stand.
Together, we will make change. Here’s what we need you to do:
1. Donate. Make a donation through the badge or by clicking here. Remember, the number of people that donate is more important than the amount. Give the minimum – just $10.
2. Get your friends to donate. This step is key. Make your contribution exponentially more powerful by getting ten friends to donate. Ask them to each tell ten friends. Don’t know what to say? Here’s a pre-written email for you to copy, paste and personalize
3. Get excited! Right now, we’re number three in the contest. Check our rank often. Share in the momentum and spread the word!
Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director
Family Pride
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