Two words:
Thank you!
One Day’s Wages started in October 2009 with a vision to be a grassroots movement of people, stories and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty. Our conviction is that we don't have to be celebrities, rock stars, or millionaires but rather, everyone can make help change the world.
This isn't just a nice saying. It's our core conviction and today, we have some exciting news to share with all of our friends, supporters, partners, and donors: We surpassed $1,000,000 in donations.
What do the numbers mean?
- 6031 different people from 38 different countries helped us surpass $1,000,000.
- 100% of all donations (minus credit card fees) go to projects and causes we carefully vet and examine. We don't take a single penny from any of your donations but raise our administration funds separately.
- Thus far, we've invested $627,525.64 through 29 grants and partnerships. We have 3 active partners waiting to be funded and several more grants will be announced in the coming weeks. Everything we raise will be invested but only after careful vetting and signed contracts of mutual expectations and grant assessments. We don't throw money at situations. We invest in people and good development work.
- Here's our commitment to transparency.
How did we do this?
The strategy of ODW is to create a collaborative movement via integrating Human Relationships, Social Media, Technology, and the Power of Story. ODW promotes awareness, invites simple giving (one day's wages), and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with smaller organizations in developing regions.
Amazingly, we've done this with one full-time staff, and several volunteers and interns all cramped together in a 250 square foot office in Seattle, Washington. ODW has been featured in the New York Times (twice), the Seattle Times, NPR, Mashable, and numerous other media outlets.
You, me, us, and them…all working together.
ODW began with our founders, Eugene and Minhee Cho, donating their one year's wages and in doing so, inviting others to consider their one day's wages or any other donation – at least once each year. They wanted to make sure they weren't asking others to do something they weren't willing to do.
School Partnerships: Students Supporting Students!
In 2010, 190 elementary and middle school students from Morrison Academy Kaoshkiung (MAK) raised $21,350 for clean water that helped bring clean water to 13,142 kids and 410 staff in Cambodia.
It was so much fun they did another campaign in 2011 and raised $11,814 that will help plant nearly 120,000 trees in Madagascar.
Birthdays for a Cause!
Naomi celebrated her 5th birthday by creating a birthday for a cause and raised $2,545 for the Horn of Africa Relief Fund. This was one of our favorite “home videos.”
She wins the “most adorable ODW supporter award.” See why:
Crazy Ideas: Anji shaves her head…and raises $17,900.97
That's not a typo. Anji started her own idea for a cause campaign and invited her community to help her raise funds for the Horn of Africa Relief Fund and they gave and gave and gave and gave… And then gave some more. Total: $17,900.97!
Here's the before and after picture. Beautiful hair, head, and heart! Thank you, Anji.
Justin bikes 2000 miles.
Huh?
Yes, it's true. Justin partnered with ODW to raise awareness and funds for our Human Trafficking Fund and cycled 2000 miles from Vancouver, Canada to the border of Mexico. Oh, he also raised $9,414.
Company Partnerships
Numerous companies partnered with ODW including MiiR Bottles. They donated $1 for every water bottle they sold and for the heck of it, led a group of people to climb Mt. Rainier. Thus far, they've given nearly $15,000 for clean water projects.
Thank you.
We couldn't have reached this mark without you. We truly appreciate all our supporters, donors, and partners.
We're just getting started but for now, take a few minutes to learn about the grants and partnerships you made possible.