50 Launch Gatherings for World Water Day!

World Water Day is March 22nd, and we're hoping to have more than fifty 3for5 "Launch Gatherings" during that week to raise awareness about the clean water crisis in the developing world.

What's a Launch Gathering, you ask?

Well, it's a fun and easy way to engage your friends in a dialog about clean water by doing what you already do with your friends: hang out! 3for5 Launch Gatherings can be hosted wherever like and are also meant to be a launching pad for your 3for5 Wave.

There's no hard and fast rule about what a Launch Gathering should look like, or what exactly should happen. You might invite some friends over for dessert, a meal, or even a game-night.

Just pick a location that you and your friends will feel comfortable at, and be sure to take some time to talk to your friends about 3for5 and clean water at some point during your event. Remember, you really can get creative here and talk about 3for5 and clean water as much, or as little, as you'd like.

To help make your gathering a success, we've created a Launch Gathering Packet that you can use as a template for ideas, recipes, and handouts.

Finally, share your ideas and experiences with us and other 3for5 droplets on our GetSatisfaction page here.

Improvements to 3for5.org

We've added some new and updated pages to 3for5.org. Here are the details...

News Page

Our News page will supplement this blog and act as a repository for external news about 3for5.org and the 3for5 Movement. Read more here: http://www.3for5.org/aboutus/news.html

Images, Handouts, and Media

We've added a "media" page where you can download regular and high-res versions of various 3for5 images and handouts. See more here: http://www.3for5.org/aboutus/media.html

3for5 Launch Gatherings

For those new to the 3for5 Movement, we've detailed one more way you can engage your family and friends in a dialog about the clean water crisis: invite them over for a 3for5 Launch Gathering to kick off your wave. Download our 3for5 Launch Gathering packet, and learn more here: http://www.3for5.org/thecause/gatherings.html

Projects & Progress Page

Last, but certainly not least, we've revamped our Project & Progress page to keep you better informed about the projects we're funding. Have a look here: http://www.3for5.org/thecause/projects.html

3for5 Grants $10,000 to Water for People for Projects in Malawi

The 3for5 Foundation is proud to announce that it has made its first clean-water grant in the amount of $10,000 to Water for People to fund projects in Chikwawa, Malawi.

In 2010, Water For People-Malawi will work with its local partners to provide comprehensive clean water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programs to twenty villages and 5 schools within the Traditional Authorities (TAs) of Makhwira, Kasisi and Maseya, in Chikwawa, Malawi.

The schools are going to receive PlayPumps, a novel solution for pumping water that encourages children to help pump water through play. Check out the video below to see and hear more about Water for People's is using PlayPumps in Malawi.

You can learn more about this and other 3for5 projects here.

Alexis Fedor has a Great Idea!

Creativity unleashed...it's a beautiful thing and it's what Alexis Fedor is encouraging with her new company which is hoping to bring attention to charities and great causes by engaging the artistic community.

When I met Alexis a few weeks ago, I loved her company's vision:

"...we will hold weekly t-shirt design contests. You [the community] will design the shirts, you will pick the winners, we will donate up to 50% of all profits to charity. Because every drop counts. If you are an artist with interesting work (painting, poetry, photography, wordage, all-around great, creative person) or a charity helping to foster incredible change, let us feature you!"

I resonate with Alexis about more than our common belief that "every drop counts." From the very beginning of 3for5, I've always believed that artists will play a major role in helping to spread awareness about people in need of clean water. Why? Because artists' creations (objects, ideas, music, and more) capture our hearts and minds, engaging us in ways that nothing else can. And for the last two years of 3for5, artists have been integral to the 3for5 Movement and will continue to be as we keep trying to unite communities to help others in need.

That's why it was so great to meet Alexis. She's an artist who is creating...and interviewing other people who are innovating in the charitable and artistic community.

Ok, Ok--it does just-so-happen that Alexis interviewed me on her blog recently (shameless plug: why i started 3for5). But she's talking to many, many incredible people who will inspire you through their creativity in the charitable space.

Alexis: we at 3for5 can't wait until the t-shirt competitions begin--creativity unleashed can do amazing things!

3for5 Exceeds $10,000 Raised for Clean Water!

Way to go droplets! Just a few days ago, the 3for5 Movement exceeded $10,000 in monies raised for clean water projects in the developing world!

This is an exciting milestone because the 3for5 Board of Directors has set this amount ($10k) as the amount required before we make our first project-grant.

So, stay tuned because we'll have another exciting announcement to share near the end of the week! In the meantime, check out the 3for5 Movement in action here.

3for5 Interviewed on WhatGives!?

3for5 on WhatGives!?

Dr. Anthony DeBenedet, Board member of the 3for5 Foundation, speaks to WhatGives!? at Blogworld about clean water and the 3for5 Movement.

Help 3for5 Give 500 People Clean Water!

This is our vision for the future: that millions of people across the developing world would be able to gain access to safe, clean water for the very first time!

To that end, we aim to raise $10,000 by New Year's Day to help fund our first water project and provide water to more than 500 people in Malawi. It's ambitious, but with your help we can get there.

If you haven't already done so, consider donating $5 for clean water via 3for5.org. Every $5 means something incredible for people without clean water.

At the same time, invite 3 friends to join 3for5 with you, and be sure to follow-up with them in a personal way (via phone, email, or in-person) to make sure they have received your invitation.

Last but not least, thank-you for being a part of 3for5--together, we can have incredible impact!

p.s. -- as always, click here to download the 3for5 Friends Handout and give it to your friends when you talk to them. (http://www.3for5.org/docs/3for5_Friends_Handout.pdf).

*Photo courtesy of Water for People