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About the Program
2007 Grant Recipients
2006 Grant Recipients
2005 Grant Recipients
Contact eBay Foundation
About the Program
As a PowerSeller, you can make a difference in your community with Powerful Giving. eBay Foundation's Powerful Giving program gives PowerSellers the opportunity to recommend nonprofit organizations that you would like to see receive a charitable contribution from the Foundation. Since 2005, eBay Foundation has awarded $100,000 to nonprofit organizations recommended for support by eBay's enthusiastic PowerSellers.
Here's how it works:
- You complete a nomination form for a charity close to your heart, explaining why you believe it should receive a grant.
- Qualifying organizations will be invited to submit a proposal to the eBay Foundation.
- A committee will read and review all proposals, conduct due diligence and select organizations to receive funding.
- Ten grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to U.S. based non-profit organizations.
eBay Foundation will begin accepting recommendations for the 2008 Powerful Giving program this June. In the meantime, the following is more information about past Powerful Giving grant recipients.
2007 Grant Recipients
eBay Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the third round of the Powerful Giving program. The following recipients were championed by a passionate group of PowerSellers including: pogowray, envirosafetygal, eastgatedistributors, fvmtoolsandmore, foggypaws, wabbit-king, mooseeblack, Ntr_bundle, rechan, and smile4u667. Congratulations to the ten organizations listed below and the PowerSellers whose recommendations helped to make a difference!
Acterra- (Palo Alto, CA)
Acterra is a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit with a 37-year history of innovation in bringing people together to address environmental challenges and create local and regional solutions that foster a healthy natural environment. Acterra's programs empower community members and businesses to take action against global warming, to restore native habitats, and to educate and cultivate environmental leaders for the future. Funding from eBay Foundation will support their "Youth in Nature" program, which is designed to help young people learn about their outdoor environment through hands-on habitat restoration activities. The program will partner with local schools in underserved communities to produce a "land stewardship and habitat restoration guide." Students and volunteers will conduct literature research, take photographs, and document their restoration efforts. PowerSeller pogowray recommended Acterra for their work to educate the environmental leaders of the future. "For many of these kids, it's the first time they have experienced a hands-on connection with the natural world." For more information, visit www.acterra.org
Both Your Hands- (Alden, NY)
Both Your Hands was created by Deborah Naybor in 2004 to create self sustainable income for poor families around the world. A small business owner herself, Deborah first realized the impact she could have when she was asked to speak to poor women in New Zealand, South Africa and Malawi in 2000. With a background in forestry and environmental issues, she taught them about renewable resources and recycling; composting and designing solar toilets. Today, Both Your Hands runs over 60 projects in 12 countries, helping to start small businesses including crafts, farming, sewing, beekeeping and used clothing sales. Funding from eBay Foundation will support the Warm Hands, Warm Hearts project in Bethel Alaska which provides resources for women and children escaping domestic violence. PowerSeller envirosafetygal noted that she has been working with Both Your Hands, "assisting wtih fund raising and providing tools for poor women through my Charm and Hammer eBay store. I have known Deb Naybor, executive director, for a decade and know that the funds from this grant will go to help start new businesses around the world." For more information, visit www.bothyourhands.org.
Garland County CASA- (Hot Springs, AR)
Garland County CASA was formed in 1999 to provide quality volunteer advocacy for victims of child abuse and neglect by raising public awareness and mobilizing the community to intervene and address the problem. The organization continues to grow and currently has 44 active volunteers serving 169 children. The children they serve come from a variety of cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds, yet their volunteer base is predominantly white. For this reason, Garland County CASA requested funding to implement a diversity plan and build a more inclusive organization. Funds from eBay Foundation will be used to create a brochure and public service announcement aimed at recruiting more minority volunteers, and to conduct cultural awareness trainings. Eastgatedistributors, the PowerSeller who recommended Garland County CASA, donates her time, money and services to the organization. In recommending the organization she said, "This organization offers the heartfelt and powerful voice of a child and can be the turning point in the life of a child who's suffering." To learn more, visit www.garlandcountycasa.org.
Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando- (Orlando, FL)
Since October 2000, the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando has helped to build the foundation for the success of local Hispanic youth in Central Florida. In partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, local small businesses and major corporations, they have succeeded in awarding a total of $144,500 to 66 students. A past recipient now studying Spanish Education is deeply enthusiastic about the program. "The hardship of being a full-time student, an employee, and the caretaker of my family has not diminished my dream of becoming a superb teacher," she said. "I am confident that I am on the road to success. I have learned that devotion and persistence will always lead to success." Foundation funds will help the organization meet their goal of awarding 30 more scholarships in 2007. PowerSeller fvmtoolsandmore is a volunteer for the organization and decided to recommend them. He said he's "personally seen the wonderful work the do and the lives they have impacted. By assisting these students with their college education, the organization is ensuring not only the student's personal success but they are investing in the community's future by preparing tomorrow's workforce." To learn more, visit www.hispanicheritagefund.org.
Milo Foundation- (Willits, CA)
The Milo Foundation is a nonprofit, no-kill organization providing an alternative for homeless pets throughout Northern California, through education, adoption services, and providing sanctuary for animals until permanent homes can be found. Founded in August of 1994, the Milo Foundation is located on two hundred and eighty-three acres in Mendocino County, offering lots of room for the animals to run and play. Milo houses cats, dogs, puppies and kittens; occasionally farm animals and other domestic creatures find their way to the sanctuary. Foundation funds will help support Project Animal House, with the goal of building 25 new insulated dog shelters. The project is part of a larger development strategy seeking to establish the Milo Foundation as the premier animal sanctuary on the west coast. PowerSeller foggypaws supports the Milo Foundation because "they take animals that are both adoptable and completely unadoptable with no other place to go. Once an animal arrives at the Milo Foundation Sanctuary, the animal will either be rehabilitated for adoption or will live out their life at the Sanctuary. The animal will not be euthanized or harmed in anyway." To learn more, visit www.milofoundation.org.
National Children's Cancer Society- (St. Louis, MO)
Founded in 1987, the National Children's Cancer Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer by promoting children's health through financial and in-kind assistance, advocacy, support services, and education. Funding from eBay Foundation will support the Pediatric Oncology Program, which serves families throughout the country. The program helps families cope with expenses such as the cost of medical care, travel for treatment, lodging, meals, and insurance. The NCCS has been providing such support for 20 years and is the only national organization with this work at the core of its mission. PowerSeller wabbit-king recommended the organization having known from personal experience that the "diagnosis of cancer for a child is devastating." Several years ago, her niece was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Wabbit-King supports NCCS because it "enables families to concentrate on treatment options (which can require extremely difficult decisions) without worrying about how they will pay for meals, travel and lodging during treatment." To learn more, visit www.nationalchildrenscancersociety.org
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation- (Emmitsburg, MD)
The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. Approximately 100 volunteer and career firefighters die in the line of duty each year. They leave behind spouses, children, siblings, and parents who are devastated by the loss. Based on feedback from fire service survivors who had a strong desire to get together to share experiences and provide support to one another, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation sponsored the first Annual National Fire Service Survivors Conference in 2006. Funding from eBay Foundation will help offset the travel and lodging expenses of survivors attending the conference. PowerSeller mooseeblack is the mother of a fallen firefighter and believes that the "work they do is so very important to the Fire Service and the families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. They helped my family and our fire department through the last 7 years." To learn more, visit www.firehero.org.
Nonprofit Technology Resources- (Philadelphia, PA)
NTR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making technology accessible to low-income people in the Philadelphia area. NTR serves people in the Philadelphia region by recycling used computers, providing hands-on training, and helping community-based service organizations use computers in their work. NTR now places more than a thousand refurbished computers a year with community organizations and low-income people in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Funding from eBay Foundation will provide a three hour Learning Through Technology (LTT) workshop in which 25 students will receive a free computer system, and internet access. The participants will be taught how to disassemble, reassemble, and set up the computer. The organization sells computer parts and systems on eBay, maintaining PowerSeller status as ntr_bundle. In describing the benefits of their computer recycling program the Executive Director explained that, "Few other programs offer an opportunity to explore inside a computer box as NTR does. The hardware and setup orientation not only gives the recipients a better feeling for their new equipment, but it also helps to cut down the number of support calls." To learn more about Nonprofit Technology Resources, visit www.ntronline.org.
Raleigh Boychoir- (Raleigh, NC)
Established in 1968 and celebrating its fortieth anniversary as a non-profit organization, the Raleigh Boychoir educates and trains boys in the art of singing, contributes to musical life in the greater Raleigh area, and enhances North Carolina's cultural reputation. Funding from eBay Foundation will support a pilot program of free choral clinics aimed at exposing new and diverse groups of boys to the benefits of participation in a choral group. PowerSeller rechan serves as chairman of the Boychoir's Board of Directors, and has also served as a chaperone for the choir's week-long summer camp. He wrote, "[he] had the pleasure of getting to know many of the choir members. Many of the choristers cited the choir as part of a transformation in their lives. They spoke of friendship, improved confidence, better academic performance and an opportunity to see new and different cultures and places." With the Powerful Giving grant, he said, "the choir will be able to extend the frequency and reach of its music clinics. I believe the exposure to the arts and the practice of the arts changes lives and offers new and meaningful opportunities." To learn more about the Raleigh Boychoir Inc., visit www.raleighboychoir.org.
YWCA (Bellingham, WA)
The YWCA of Bellingham provides transitional housing and services for low income single women. In addition to a safe place to sleep, each client is provided with everything she might need including voice mail, free local phone service, personal supplies, bedding, food, bus passes, clothing from the Back to Work Boutique and comprehensive case management. The goal is to help women become self sufficient and transition to permanent housing as quickly and as successfully as possible to minimize the likelihood of becoming homeless again. Funding from eBay Foundation will enable the organization to expand its Back to Work Boutique, which provides free professional clothing to women reentering the workforce. Clients make individual appointments for an hour-long consultation, receiving one on one advice and help selecting appropriate clothing and shoes for job interviews and their first weeks of work or training. PowerSeller smile4u667 recommended the YWCA and donates to the organization using eBay Giving Works. When she learned the YWCA was approved for a grant she revealed, "Many years ago this was my home and it is such an honor to give back to them now." To learn more about the YWCA, visit www.ywcabellingham.org.
2006 Grant Recipients
American Lung Association of Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
The American Lung Association of Arizona was established in 1912, initially to fight the number one cause of death among adults in the United States, tuberculosis. While their focus evolved as better care and treatment became available for TB, lung disease remains the third leading cause of death in Arizona. They focus on asthma, air quality and tobacco control and ultimately hope to see cures for lung disease, clean air, and smoke free kids. Their Camp Not-A-Wheeze program is for children ages seven to fourteen living in Arizona who suffer from moderate to severe asthma. The camp stocks an infirmary, boasts licensed medical professionals who accompany campers all day and a trained staff that provides the traditional fun and excitement that a summer camp experience has to offer. Funds will provide "camperships" for children who would not be able to attend for financial reasons. PowerSeller ohearn616 is a Registered Nurse who has been involved with the Lung Association for nearly eight years, and volunteers at Camp Not-A-Wheeze, and says the children who have attended the week-long program will usually say their asthma is controlled much better because of what they learned at the summer camp. To learn more about the American Lung Association of Arizona, visit www.lungarizona.org.
Guardian Angel Community Services (Joliet, IL)
Guardian Angel Community Services was founded in 1897 as an orphanage to care for dependent and neglected children. In 1973 it became a licensed child welfare agency and began focusing its efforts on addressing the increasingly complex problems of women, children and entire families. They provide a comprehensive array of services for families including an after school program, summer camp, alternative education, family counseling, foster care, and services for victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. Their Exchange Club Center offers services designed to maintain or reunify families affected by child abuse and neglect. As child abuse often occurs due to parental stress or lack of information about child rearing and household management, the center provides the necessary resources to provide help and information to parents who need them. Funding from eBay Foundation will support their parent aid program and adolescent support group, as well as the cost of a bilingual professional to conduct parenting classes to their Spanish speaking clients. PowerSeller wwdata recommended the organization because they "reach out to the most helpless victims in our society who often times don't even know how to help themselves let alone get help!" For more information, visit www.guardianangelhome.org.
John Wayne Cancer Institute (Santa Monica, CA)
The John Wayne Cancer Institute was founded in 1981 and is dedicated to cancer research and education. Their internationally recognized scientists and clinical researchers are committed to finding a cure or control for many cancers. By rapidly turning scientific innovations into practical methods for treatment, early detection and survivorship, JWCI serves the interests of cancer survivors everywhere. Funding from the eBay Foundation grant will help JWCI analyze the effectiveness of their peer counseling telephone support for breast cancer survivors during the stress-filled time between surgery and follow-up treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. PowerSeller bestbuy2001 is a strong supporter of the Institute asserting that "Everything I do on a daily basis has a little place of my heart in the John Wayne Cancer Institute." He is committed to raising money for the organization that treated his father, personally soliciting individuals for support as well as conducting auctions on eBay to benefit the organization. To learn more about the John Wayne Cancer Institute, visit www.jwci.org.
Police Activities League of Greater Portland (Portland OR)
The Police Activities League of Greater Portland is a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships between youth, police, and the community through recreational, athletic, and educational programs designed to develop and encourage good citizenship and improve the quality of life in the community. During non school hours, many of the youth categorized as low income or at risk have a great deal of unstructured time. Funding from eBay Foundation will support their National Youth Sports Program, which provides an engaging opportunity for youth to participate in structured activities with dedicated adult mentors and police officers. They hold a free four week summer camp targeting 350 boys and girls ages 10-16 at Portland State University. All youth receive two meals per day and participate in a wide variety of activities from swimming and football to cooking and gang resistance classes. PowerSeller portlandsportscard has volunteered with the Police Activities League and is continually impressed with the way they utilize volunteers in all their programs (logging over 18,000 volunteer hours each year!) to promote positive behavior in youth through mentoring, job assistance, counseling and life skills development. To learn more, visit www.palkids.org
Students in Free Enterprise (Springfield, MO)
Founded in 1975, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) has grown to become one of the largest university-based organizations in the world. SIFE's world headquarters is located in Springfield, Missouri and SIFE teams are active in 48 countries on more than 1,300 college and university campuses. SIFE students, led by faculty advisors and a local business advisory board, form teams that serve their communities by developing projects that take what they are learning in their classrooms about business and use it to solve real world problems. The projects teach members of their communities about the principles of market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics. eBay Foundation's grant will help bring 10 SIFE teams to a regional competition this spring, giving them the opportunity to share best practices with other teams, spend time with business executives, and showcase the results of their community outreach projects. PowerSeller d56cltr serves as the head of SIFE's Business Advisory Board and has been involved with the organization since 1989. He says that SIFE teams embody the motto: "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." To learn more about SIFE, visit www.sife.org
2005 Grant Recipients
Bakersfield Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Bakersfield, CA)
The Bakersfield SPCA supports the general welfare and humane treatment of animals through shelter and adoption, education and prevention of pet overpopulation. The organization has been in existence for more than 50 years and offers an array of comprehensive services including awareness campaigns, rescue, emergency veterinary care, vaccinations, adoptions, obedience training, boarding, pet therapy and microchips. It is the only animal advocacy agency in their county that owns a Spay/Neuter Mobile Clinic. eBay Foundation's grant will support the cost of operating five male cat neuter clinics. PowerSeller 14chula is the Public Relations Coordinator for the organization and also serves as a volunteer. To learn more about the Bakersfield SPCA, visit www.bakersfieldspca.org.
Boaz and Ruth (Richmond, VA)
Founded in 2002, Boaz and Ruth provides life and employment skills training for released offenders and fosters community revitalization. Clients in the two year training program participate in classes in computer literacy, and receive counseling and on-the-job training for an average of 50 hours per week. A grant from eBay Foundation will help the organization update their computer lab to provide training in word-processing, spreadsheets, email and Internet job searches. Funds will also enable Boaz and Ruth to purchase laptops so that clients who do not have their own computers can participate in a lending program. PowerSeller Elegant.Arts volunteers with the organization, teaching inner city women how to start their own microbusinesses, primarily eBay stores. Elegant.Arts had this to say about the group's work, "It's the perfect way to create a job for someone who would have difficulty finding employment that paid enough to get off of welfare. Many worthy charities buy $5,000 worth of food to feed the hungry. We propose to take the same money and teach people how to provide food for themselves." To learn more about Boaz and Ruth, visit www.boazandruth.com.
Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia (Charleston, WV)
The Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia is a 240,000 square foot state of the art facility that houses the performing arts, visual arts and the sciences all under one roof. The center's goal is to provide educational, entertaining and inspirational experiences in the arts and sciences for all people of West Virginia and the region. eBay Foundation's grant will support the organization's Equal Access Fund, which helps West Virginia schools that may not otherwise have the resources to make a trip to the Clay Center and participate in teacher training workshops and artist residencies. The grant will provide 150 school children residing in rural West Virginia with the opportunity to gain first hand experiences in the arts and sciences. PowerSeller blackknighttrader recommended the organization, saying "The imaginations of children are greatly enhanced and the seeds of their future possibilities and potential are planted by this organization." To learn more about the Center for The Arts and Sciences, visit www.claycenter.org.
Christmas in October (Kansas City, MO)
Christmas in October has assisted more than 6,000 homeowners since the program started in 1984. In partnership with volunteers from the community, Christmas in October rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled and families in need with small children so that they can continue to live in warmth, safety and dignity. eBay Foundation's grant will support the repairs on five homes. Repair work ranges from providing electrical repairs so homeowners have heat during the winter months, to improving overall aesthetics of the neighborhood by clearing brush, trimming trees and removing trash. PowerSeller EZAuctionAgent even pledged to coordinate volunteers from the eBay community to help work on the five houses that will be repaired with the support of the eBay Foundation grant. EZAuctionAgent, who has been an active volunteer and House Captain for Christmas in October, says "I want to do more than volunteer. I want to utilize the local eBay community to make a difference in our community. Through eBay's generosity and spirit of community we can make the lives better for those in our own community using the 'power of all of us." To learn more about Christmas in October, visit www.christmasinoctober.org.
Donna Reed Center for the Performing Arts (Denison, IA)
The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts was created in 1987 to recognize, encourage and support talented individuals who desire to pursue an education and a career in the performing arts. The Foundation sponsors one of the major performing arts scholarship programs in the country, promotes an annual performing arts festival and workshop program, and cultural performances throughout the year. The grant from eBay Foundation will support marketing and outreach for their annual performing arts workshop in order to increase student enrollment and reach more individuals who desire a career in the performing arts. PowerSellers moviemagicusa acknowledged that "Ebay has allowed us to achieve many of our dreams by giving us a worldwide platform to sell from.Donna Reed and the Foundation created to honor her needs financial assistance to help performing artists follow their dreams and develop their potential. To learn more about the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts, visit www.donnareed.org.
Contact eBay Foundation
For more information about the Powerful Giving program, please feel free to contact us.
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