How others are expanding All for Good

All for Good has only been live for a few days, but developers across the country are already taking advantage of our API and gadget to deliver volunteer opportunities in new and innovative ways. Here are a few of the efforts that have launched so far:

YouTube is launching Video Volunteers, a platform designed to make connections between non-profit organizations with video needs and skilled video makers who can help broadcast their causes through video. Video Volunteers will pool nonprofit, video-related volunteer postings from All for Good and then match them up with YouTubers who want to volunteer their video-creating skills to make a difference. Because many YouTubers have amassed a large online audience, their work on behalf of nonprofits can not only raise awareness about causes nonprofits are working on, but can also drive others online to take action. Here’s how it works: Starting today, nonprofits can post video assignments (with the words “Video Volunteers” in the description) on idealist.org, serve.gov or volunteermatch.org; these posts will be cycled through the Video Volunteers feed of the All for Good widget on youtube.com/videovolunteers, where Video Volunteers can pick up assignments directly from nonprofits. Select videos will be showcased on the Video Volunteers YouTube channel and in other high-traffic areas of YouTube.



MTV created Serve.MTV.com, to bring service opportunities from All for Good to the MTV audience. The network is also developing two dedicated PSAs – the first of which will premiere in prime time later this week. The PSAs will go into regular rotation, driving viewers to Serve.MTV.com and encouraging them to make civil service a part of their lifestyle. MTV also plans to integrate this call to action in a number of its marquee on-air programs including “The Real World,” “Buried Life,” and more. Additionally, MTV will produce a series of short, viral Web videos, which feature leading artists and celebrities discussing their volunteerism efforts and calling on young people to make a positive impact in their communities.

The Huffington Post is using All for Good to provide localized service opportunities to its readers. For example, they have developed a customized All for Good gadget that presents volunteer opportunities in the New York City area. The Huffington Post plans further expansion on other local pages to create a compelling, localized experience for each reader.

These are just a few of the sites that are helping spread the good, and because All for Good is an open source project, what we've seen so far is only the tip of the iceberg of what organizations and individuals will be able to create over the coming weeks and months.

You can participate right now by adding the All for Good widget to your iGoogle, Blogger blog, TypePad blog, Gmail, or own web page. If you're a developer interested in getting involved, check out the API and join the API developers group.

Posted by Ginny Hunt, Public Sector Product Manager