Happy Holidaze

Hey VISTAS,

I hope you have all been enjoying the holiday season and a much-needed break before the start of 2009. I had a great time at home in Pittsburgh, but am ready to return to NYC and ring in the new year in style!

As for the J-O-B, it has a been a busy few weeks at Grassroots.org. I recently started to manage our online fundraising efforts, beginning with a holiday giving campaign. Last month I took a one-day Internet Fundraising course at NYU, so I was eager to get started by updating our online donation page (Tip: make sure your donation form is extrememly simple and asks for no unneccessary information - this means even eliminating a title field from your form. Oh yes, and Network for Good reccomends "Blazing a trail to your donation page" - place a DONATE button all over!).

In addition to the fundraising campaign, we launched a new tool this month in the Grassroots.org toolbox - graphic design! The program works just like our web design tool - by matching volunteers with nonprofits in need. In the first week alone, we had 3 of our members sign-up for volunteers to help them design logos, letterhead, etc. Which reminds me, if any of you talented VISTAs are graphic designers and are looking for some great experience, hit up our volunteer board.

Okay, I better go pack so I don't miss my flight! HAPPY 2009!!!!!!!

-Laura