This mashup will create a storybank (i.e., database) of images & videos from various non-profits & charitable organizations that consumers/activists can personalize as eCards & eGifts and send to friends via email and social networking sites for $1 each. Here’s why this story-based tool will make an important difference in raising funds and generating awareness for many important causes:

• Stories Matter. According to recent research by Wharton professor Deborah Small, stories are far better than statistics at generating an emotional response that inspires giving.
• Pictures = 1,000 Words. “Fund-raising appeals do best when they are crafted around a single gripping image." (The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 7/17/07)

The Social Actions mashup will free peer-to-peer social change campaigns from the social action platforms on which they were created, resulting in the unrestricted flow of active campaigns from the people who created them to the people who are most likely to get involved.

Please have a look at the widget we are using to promote the mashup proposal.

Update 3/14/08: On Monday, March 17, we are planning to have a proof-of-concept version of the mashup available at:

http://mashup.socialactions.com

What is it?
The Social Actions mashup will popularize an open-standard for indexing peer-to-peer social change campaigns using the hListing micro-format, or something similar, and will provide stunning examples of how this semantic data once aggregated can be mapped visually according location, area of interest, or active participation.

Here's a screen shot of the front end:

How will it work?
The mashup will combine 29+ XML feeds of the latest peer-to-peer social change campaigns from a range of social action platforms.

Social action platforms that may contribute content include: BetterPlace, BringLight, CanadaHelps, Care2, Change.org, ChangingthePresent, ChipIn, Convio, DemocracyInAction, DonorsChoose, Facebook Causes, Firstgiving, Fundable, GiveMeaning, GlobalGiving, Helpalot, Kiva, ModestNeeds, MyCause.com.au, Nabuur, PledgeBank, Razoo, ShoutBack, SproutBuilder, SixDegrees, ThePoint, and ZaZengo.