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Benj and Jessica launched a nonprofit. Follow our journey as we built a 501(c)(3) and a web site, and now usher in an endless stream of worthy charity nominees and monthly grant winners!

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Spotlight on nominee Youth Pride Inc.

Nominee Youth Pride Inc. (YPI)

Next in our series of posts about new Charitocracy nominees, we have nominee Youth Pride Inc., nominated by donor melissa745. They offer a safe space for LGBTQQ young people. You can find their web site here.

A few words on Charitocracy

Firstly, for newcomers: here's how it works. Donors pool their monthly contributions, as little as $1. The cause with the most votes each month wins the pot. No matter how much or how little you contribute, each donor at Charitocracy gets one vote. This is where charity meets democracy. So please share this post and ask your friends to join us and vote! That's how we spread the word and, as a result, grow the monthly pot. The bigger the pot, the bigger our positive impact on the world!

About nominee Youth Pride Inc.

History

YPI started as a support group of the YWCA of Greater Rhode Island in December of 1992. In the middle of a snowstorm, four youth and an adult facilitator held their first meeting at Brown University’s Sarah Doyle Women’s Center. They shared their experiences, built community and named themselves, “The Way Out.” This small weekly group grew quickly soon overtaking the Women Center’s living room, with dozens of young people sitting on laps, tables and every part of the floor. In order to meet the needs of this rapidly growing group, “The Way Out” became Youth Pride, Inc, (YPI) and received its own tax-exempt status as a not-for-profit organization in 1994.

Our Mission

Youth Pride, Inc. is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression while working to end the homophobic and transphobic environments in which they live, work and play.

Our Statement of Values

  • LEADERSHIP: YPI is committed to creating the leaders of today. Youth voices drive our process, and we seek to develop the leadership skills necessary both within the organization and outside of it.
  • AFFIRMATION: YPI believes all youth must be affirmed for who they are and how they express themselves. We are committed to making that a reality in all of the environments in which young people live.
  • COMMUNITY: YPI believes building strong connections is essential to youth success and empowerment. We strive to create a caring, respectful and diverse community of young people and adults.

So visit Youth Pride Inc.'s page on Charitocracy to vote for, like, or discuss this cause! And finally, check out this video about them:

July 2018 winner RAICES

Charitocracy's 23rd check to July winner RAICES for $1375

We have good news about July winner RAICES, right after this quick update...

First, a general update

We're back above 200 donors. Our monthly pot is over $1300. We just received a really generous double-employer-matched donation earmarked to attract new donors. So all is well! But we have our work cut out for us coming up with a marketing message that'll translate into more donor sign-ups. If you have ideas, give us a yell!

As always, you can help us grow organically (i.e. for free!) by joining yourself or convincing someone you love. It would be great to get our August prize closer to $1500, and to chart new territory with our donor count!

July 2018 winner RAICES

A couple days ago we voted in Charitocracy's 23rd monthly winner. Congratulations to RAICES! They've been working especially hard lately to reunite immigrant children with their families at our borders. You can find their web site here. Also big congrats to donor TdotWING, who nominated RAICES just last month. She's the first member of Charitocracy's 3-timer club!

You have a week to further sweeten the pot with a special one-time donation of any amount, which we'll add straight to the check we write to RAICES next week.

RAICES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees in Texas.

Founded in 1986 as the Refugee Aid Project by community activists in South Texas, RAICES has grown to be the largest immigration legal services provider in Texas. With offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, RAICES is a frontline organization in the roiling debate about immigration and immigrants in the world.

As an organization that combines expertise developed from the daily practice of immigration law with a deep commitment to advocacy, RAICES is unique among immigration organizations. A diverse staff of 130 attorneys, legal assistants, and support staff provide consultations, direct legal services, representation, assistance and advocacy to communities in Texas and to clients after they leave the state.

In 2017, RAICES staff closed 51,000 cases at no cost to the client. Our advocacy and commitment to change are driven by the clients and families we serve every day as our attorneys and legal assistants provide legal advocacy and representation in an immigration system that breaks apart families and leaves millions without pathways to legal status.

Check out this thank you video from RAICES, and feel good about your part in our collective $1375+ grant to help with their work!

Have a great August and log into Charitocracy to update your votes or nominate a new cause!

Spotlight on nominee Mission 22

Nominee Mission 22

Next in our series of posts about new Charitocracy nominees, we have nominee Mission 22, nominated by donor emily0153. They’re fighting the war against veteran suicide. You can find their web site here.

A few words on Charitocracy

Firstly, for newcomers: here's how it works. Donors pool their monthly contributions, as little as $1. The cause with the most votes each month wins the pot. No matter how much or how little you contribute, each donor at Charitocracy gets one vote. This is where charity meets democracy. So please share this post and ask your friends to join us and vote! That's how we spread the word and, as a result, grow the monthly pot. The bigger the pot, the bigger our positive impact on the world!

About nominee Mission 22

According to a Department of Veterans Affairs study, each day over 20 veterans take their own lives. But together we can win the war against veteran suicide. Join Mission 22 to let our vets know that they have an army behind them. Your donation dollars assist us in getting veterans treatment when they need it the most, right now.

Elder Heart is the 501(c)(3) behind Mission 22. Its Board of Directors is comprised of Special Forces operators Magnus Johnson and Mike Kissel and Infantryman Brad Hubbard. Because of their personal battles with PTSD and TBI they have made it their mission to raise awareness, enlist support, and end veteran suicide in America.

So visit the Mission 22's page on Charitocracy to vote for, like, or discuss this cause! And finally, check out their video: