The Impact of the Web on Sustainability

By Ethan Lyon, Senior Writer

The web has impacted nearly everything: from the way we do business to the way we keep in touch with our friends. The web has also changed the way we contribute to our communities. It is a tool for organizations to help individuals realize their impact — whether it’s beautifying their community or donating to disaster relief in Indonesia.

There is a rising trend in American culture that speaks to our search for real, sustainable impact as we re-proiritize what is important to us. Increasingly, individuals want to find out how they can make an impact in their community. Non-profits offer ways in which we can realize change and elevate the social welfare of those in our communities. Through the culmination of these efforts, we can create a sustainable future.

To find ways we can contribute to our communities, we are increasingly turning to the web for answers. The web has transformed the way individuals can connect, organize and realize change on a scale that was never before possible. In particular, the web hosts community sites and charity aggregators to organize and direct volunteers to local non-profits. Charity navigators help connect individuals with trusted non-profits to impact change.

Based on an individual’s passion (it could be animal rights or the environment, etc), they can find a charity that is right for them. Often times charity navigators direct individuals to a non-profit’s website. Here, the individual can learn more about the charity, the cause and most importantly, how they can do their part. It is this last step that separates the charity ambassadors from others. A network of enthusiastic ambassadors (think the Salvation Army, United Way, YMCA, Goodwill, etc.) that can motivate and impact change on a local level, cultivates a more sustainable future.

By connecting passionate change agents to actionable initiatives, the web is a powerful tool to promote sustainability. Consider the countless brothers, sisters, daughters, sons that have been helped through the efforts of volunteers. As more individuals consider how they can make a personal impact on the world, give them the tools to realize their impact. How can your organization connect passionate individuals to create impact? As more organizations make this connection, the web will cultivate a more sustainable future.

Image by Agata Urbaniak from Stock.Xchng

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Social Cause Trends As we move forward, it's critical we do better than...
2. Introduction to the Digital Influence in Social Cause Report Charitable giving has been on the decline since the onset...
3. Crowdsourcing & Community Involvement in Social Cause Crowdsourcing, a trend sweeping social media right now, is not...
4. Strengthening Brand America: An Interview with Dave Capece I have been reading the writings of Dave Capece and...
5. How Charity Newcomers are Revolutionizing the Non-Profit Sector Social cause is not just about writing a check and...