99nonprofits participants for August: 5 fantastic organizations making a difference around the world Customer Blog

99nonprofits, 99designs’ new initiative to provide free graphic design contests for nonprofit organizations, is off to an excellent start! We’ll be choosing a number of nonprofit organizations each month to participate, and selecting our August group proved to be quite a challenge. We were utterly blown away by the wonderful work being carried out by applicants in dozens of communities around the world – truly inspiring! (Please note that organizations who were not selected will continue to be considered in future months.)

Without further ado, we present the five newest 99nonprofits members – we hope you enjoy learning a bit about each one and, if you feel as passionate about their causes as we do, consider heading to their websites and making a donation!

#1 – I Am Worth More (United States)

Founded by LaWanda Abel in 2007, I Am Worth More provides urban youth with resources and programs to counter the negative influences of violence and sexism perpetuated by the entertainment industry. The Bronx-based organization aims to help young people identify the positive messages out there, build their communities, and boost their self-worth.

#2 – Carpets for Communities (Australia/Cambodia)

Many organizations provide invaluable monetary donations to people in need around the world – and some, like Carpets for Community, take the next step to create sustainable solutions to end poverty. Take a moment to read David Bacon’s founding story to learn how he was able to help Cambodian women learn to weave beautiful rugs by hand and then sell them throughout Australia and around the world with the help of Carpet for Community’s team of dedicated volunteers. The organization has enabled many families to earn money to send their children back to school – and to consequently break the cycle of poverty – and also provides longer term solutions by helping women establish their own businesses through micro-finance programs.

#3 – The 1010 Project (United States/Kenya)

Launched in 2003, the 1010 Project aims to disrupt the poverty cycle internationally and currently focuses on impoverished communities in Kenya. Working with smaller grass roots initiatives there – including schools, orphanages, HIV/AIDS support groups, microfinance institutions, and women’s empowerment groups - the 1010 Project provides essential foundational tools for women and children as well as small business and entrepreneurial educational programs to help kickstart commerce. In its Denver, U.S. headquarters the organization offers a series of public education and anti-poverty awareness programs and regularly gives presentations about its development model and fantastic partner organizations.

#4 – FYSE (Hong Kong)

FYSE gives entrepreneurs seeking to make a difference in the world a comprehensive network of business management workshops, peer-to-peer learning initiatives, consulting and connections to potential investors. The Hong Kong-based organization’s goal is to help accelerate social enterprises so they’re more efficient and successful in providing services to people in need in emerging markets and developing countries. Founded in 2008, FYSE’s three priority areas include high-impact women social entrepreneurs, youth social entrepreneurship education, and Asian Pacific based social entrepreneurs.

#5 – SKIP (United Kingdom/Peru)

Founded in 2003, U.K.-based SKIP (Supporting Kids in Peru) has a strong history of positively impacting the lives of Peruvian families and making a difference in their everyday lives. SKIP works in close partnership with the educational system in northern Peru to provide school fees, uniforms and supplies to more than 350 children each year, along with tutoring for students in need of additional help. In addition to helping kids, SKIP conducts programs to educate and support parents and give them the skills needed to help improve their families’ lives, such as learning to make and sell handicrafts.

SKIP’s design contest, for a “SKIP” product tag to attach to handicrafts created and sold by SKIP parents, can be viewed here.

We think you’ll agree that I Am Worth More, Carpets for Communities, The 1010 Project, FYSE and SKIP are doing some excellent, much-needed work around the world, and we can’t wait to see where they go from here. Feel free to share your comments below! And, if a charity you’re involved with is in need of a new t-shirt, logo, web or social media page, or other design work, we encourage you to click here to submit a 99nonprofits application!

Thank you!