USA

I recently learned about a new initiative from DonorsChoose.org, a non-profit that accepts grant requests from K-12 teachers and makes them available to donors from across the country. DonorsChoose has set up BloggersChoose.org, a way for us bloggers to spread the word. Anyone can create a challenge, and then publicize it.

I've set up one on Economics and the World, though the only proposal I've found to include so far is one that's local: a high school in Richmond, CA. An economics teacher there is looking to buy copies of books that will get students fired up about learning the subject: Freakanomics, Nickeled and Dimed and the like.

If you're not in a position to give, consider putting together your own challenge, and publicizing it to your network!

I think it's an intriguing approach to fundraising, one that empowers individuals to multiply their own impact by involving others. Plus, they provide a tracking page to see how generous your blog readers are compared to others responding to challenges in your area.

In the article "What Works: Lo Pequeño Es Hermoso (Small is Beautiful) - Banks in Mexico say that microloans are helping the poor while boosting their profits"

“Access to capital in developing countries is a vexing problem,”

The Small Business Development Center (part of the US Small Business Administration in Illinois) makes available for free a great tool we can all use to host audio conferences and even push powerpoints and presentations on-line.

Wood End Lighthouse in Provincetown, MA was built in 1872 and stands 45 feet above sea level.

Philadelphia proposes to capitalize on this potential by leading an effort to create a wireless network that will provide high-speed, broadband wireless connectivity to all points within the city. Wireless access is rapidly changing how individuals and organizations connect to the Internet and is a transformative technology that will have multiple benefits across all segments of the economy and civic life.

Presented by Public Advocate Candidate, Andrew Rasiej, it includes a full plan and a summary document, as well as a campaign strategy and a petition. We quote from the introduction: "Right now, according to the latest research by the Progressive Policy Institute, New York ranks a dismal 41st among American cities in the percentage of its schoolchildren using computers in the classroom. According to PPI, we’re 17th among American cities in terms of broadband communications capacity due to a lack of private sector providers in the city. According to recent report by Intel, New York ranks a measly 21st in terms of the degree of wireless Internet access compared to other America cities.