Nonprofits are usually a passion project and it’s no different for the Dollywood Foundation. They just embarked on a campaign raising funds with the Give donation plugin.
1/13/17 Update: The Dollywood Foundation has closed the donation form due to “overwhelming support.”
“Due to the overwhelming support of people from around the world, we have raised enough funds to fulfill Dolly’s promise.” Dollywood Foundation
If you read CNN online you might have seen an announcement about Dolly Parton and her Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, having come together to raise funds for the victims of the recent fires in Tennessee.
Help those who lost their homes in the Tennessee wildfires. Donate to the My People Fund by visiting https://t.co/Uydp1gDCwJ . #mypeoplefund pic.twitter.com/xyvXoCeIE1
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 1, 2016
“Charity Begins at Home”
“I’ve always believed that charity begins at home,” says Dolly Parton, which is why she started “My People Fund.” She wants to provide a hand up to the people who lost everything in the Tennessee fires by providing $1,000 a month until “they get back up on their feet.”
CNN reports,
“A native of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Parton owns Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge. The property was spared from the firestorm, but others in Sevier County weren’t so lucky.”
Outsiders often think the Red Cross and other similar organizations along with FEMA cover all the needs, but it’s not always the case.
The New York Times reports,
“She said the Red Cross has done a ‘wonderful’ job but that she hoped individual donors would join her efforts to support those in need.”
Online Donation Campaign using Give
SD Professionals was approached by Dolly to help make the My People Fund a reality. Using WordPress and Give to create the website as the main platform for giving, allowed them to build and launch the entire website and social campaign within twelve hours of the tragic fires.
Not only did the SD Professionals, on behalf of the Dollywood Foundation, spin up a donation page using Give, but they created a video campaign and sent out tweets with the hashtag #MyPeopleFund. Personal appeals from celebrities are a great way to advocate for causes and are an essential part of reaching humanity in cause marketing.
Help Dolly help those who lost their homes in the wildfires. Donate to the #MyPeopleFund. Visit https://t.co/kXcnWHlzTo #SomePlaceSpecial pic.twitter.com/g5E0WifdcD
— Dollywood (@Dollywood) December 1, 2016
Taylor Swift is a notable celebrity who has also agreed to donate along with the Country Music Academy. In fact, WBIR reports,
“Several more big names in country music will be joining Dolly Parton for the ‘Smoky Mountains Rise’ telethon on Dec. 13 to benefit the My People Fund that helps people who lost their homes during the Sevier County fires.“
Taylor Swift to match the Academy of Country Music's $100,000 pledge for Dolly Parton's #mypeoplefund telethonhttps://t.co/Ni0YcSL6VD pic.twitter.com/tNNzNx5gY7
— WBIR Channel 10 (@wbir) December 9, 2016
The Dollywood Foundation, though a large foundation, was quick in their response to these fires. The simple online donation form and video appeal is a great example of how to quickly respond to tragedy.
We believe it is a result of the ease of WordPress as a platform and Give as a donation mechanism and donor management system. We also tip our hats to her Foundation’s ability to be agile.
It has warmed my heart to see people coming together for the #MyPeopleFund. If you would like to give go to https://t.co/Uydp1gDCwJ pic.twitter.com/b6L124Tbft
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 6, 2016
Donations Directly Help Families
The website gives instructions on how to apply and reassures donors that “100% of your donation will go directly to the families who lost their home in the wildfires.” And, as you know, Give does not collect a commission.
We think supporting families in the wake the aftermath of destruction is a true kindness and invite you to also participate on their donation form here.
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