10:58 – If every reader/visitor to a netroots website donated $100 to any netroots oganizations, it would raise enough money to fund all netroots organizations.
11:04 – We have to find a group of people who are committed to the progressive movement and have the money to donate. Progressive professionals have the commitment, but not the money. You have a group of wealthy people who are committed to the movement, but don’t recognize the importance of regular donations to build the movement, instead the largely give to campaigns. Ask them not just to give money, but to give their talents as well.
11:07 – Possible idea for a blog/organization — do a pledge drive a la PBS or NPR.
11:08 – One approach to fix some of the problems of the movement is to work on creating for-profit businesses that address areas of movement importance (such as a graphic design firms, progressive book club, etc.). These people then are likely to also become donors to he movement.
11:19 – Why is it that the right gives more money than the left does?
*Compassionate conservatism is based in the idea that is not the government’s role to take care of people, it’s the responsibiliy of individuals.
*Tithing is ingrained in the thought process of frequent churchgoers.
*People who are raised by people who give a lot are taught to give a lot.
*Conservatives give more frequently and get the psychological jolt of feeling happy from contributing. Liberals tend to give annually, which means there is less reinforcement.
11:25 – Conservatives do a lot of their giving through or inspired by church attendance. Progressives need to reach out to religious organizations.
11:26 – We need to teach our children to give. Have them regularly give part of their allowance to the charity/activity of their choice.
11:27 – Don’t be elitest. Be careful of what you say to whom. Saying something like “I don’t watch television,” because most people do and you may be turning them off to your cause — and definitely to donating to your cause — by saying such things. We need to avoid scaring off people who are interested in our causes and things like American Idol (personally, I’m going to have a hard time doing this one…).
11:31 – Home of the Blue is going to be an online portal and clearinghouse to all the things going on in the blogosphere.
11:37 – These first two fundraising sessions will actually be online at the Commonweal Institute website.
