The Facebook Philanthropos

WOMMA linked to an interesting Slate magazine article about organizations and charities soliciting donations online. The model of social networks raising funds seems to be trumped by raising awareness, saying, "The greater promise of viral philanthropy may lie not in electronic check writing, but in increased involvement; 21^st-century technology for philanthropos in its most ancient sense."

Jean Case, the wife of AOL founder Steve Case, said, "Philanthropy shouldn't be defined as a bunch of rich people writing checks," she told the New York Times. "Small amounts of money given by large numbers of individuals can be combined to do great things."

So, in another way, organizations online are looking for effective ways to tell their stories and spread their messages. Of course, we have a few ideas of our own.