Microblogs like Twitter are a great vehicle to help organize political demonstrations in countries run by corrupt governments (and an effective way to spread misinformation), but how can nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), libraries, government programs, and other mission-based organizations really use microblogs to promote their work, increase attendance at an event, get donations or mobilize or support volunteers?

Follett Corporation has announced a challenge to recognize the most innovative school libraries. You can submit your video story till June 1, 2011.

Through the contest the company wants to draw attention to a strong link between the well-developed library programs and students achievements. Five prizes, including a $35,000 first place prize will be awarded by a panel of judges - library and educational professionals. A sixth $10,000 prize will be awarded based on online voting for the best video.

The jury is  looking for schools that “do the most outstanding job of applying technology, content and creativity in ways that engage students, foster literacy and critical thinking”.

DonorsChoose has launched a new program called BloggersChoose which allows bloggers to search through mini-grant proposals that school teachers have submitted to DonorsChoose, and ask their readers to fund them.

As an experiment, I just set up my own Blogger's Challenge and will write a post tomorrow to ask my readers to support a Butterfly Garden for third graders in the Bronx where 73% of the students come from low income homes, a sixth grade Life Lab garden in San Jose where 77% of the students come from low income homes, and a school/community garden in Manhattan where 91% of the students come from low income homes.