The Extraordinaries is a Platform for Small-Scale Time Commitments
Tiana Reid — July 1, 2010 — Social Good
References: app.beextra.org & springwise
The Extraordinaries is a San Francisco-based online platform that connects nonprofits and volunteers through a method called micro-volunteering.
Micro-volunteering involves professionals offering their skills and only a few minutes of their time by responding to the specific requests of the nonprofits, whether it be help with fundraising, PR, finance or marketing. By putting two heads together, The Extraordinaries opens up so many doors to make a real difference in the world.
Implications - This is an endeavor that blends two of contemporary society’s most important youth tropes—volunteering and moving quickly. By allowing volunteers to help a non-profit for a short period of time, the Extraordinaries ensure that people can participate without having to drastically alter their daily schedules or lives. This will likely increase the amount of people who give time to volunteer. That’s virtually the definition of a win-win situation.
Micro-volunteering involves professionals offering their skills and only a few minutes of their time by responding to the specific requests of the nonprofits, whether it be help with fundraising, PR, finance or marketing. By putting two heads together, The Extraordinaries opens up so many doors to make a real difference in the world.
Implications - This is an endeavor that blends two of contemporary society’s most important youth tropes—volunteering and moving quickly. By allowing volunteers to help a non-profit for a short period of time, the Extraordinaries ensure that people can participate without having to drastically alter their daily schedules or lives. This will likely increase the amount of people who give time to volunteer. That’s virtually the definition of a win-win situation.
Trend Themes
1. Micro-volunteering - Micro-volunteering will continue to increase as people look for ways to make a real difference in the world while fitting it into their busy lives.
2. Skill-based Volunteering - As more professionals offer their skill sets through micro-volunteering platforms like The Extraordinaries, nonprofits can acquire specialized assistance without incurring the cost of a full-time employee, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation.
3. Flexible Volunteering - The rise of micro-volunteering and flexible volunteering opportunities like those offered by The Extraordinaries signals a shift toward a more dynamic, customizable approach to giving back that creates opportunities for disruption in the traditional nonprofit space.
Industry Implications
1. Nonprofit - Nonprofits have an opportunity to leverage micro-volunteering platforms like The Extraordinaries to tap into a wider talent pool of professionals looking to make an impact without committing to a larger time commitment, leading to disruptive innovation.
2. Technology - Technology companies can look to create similar platforms to The Extraordinaries that connect professionals with nonprofits, harnessing the power of technology to create impactful, short-term volunteering opportunities.
3. Education - Educational institutions can capitalize on the trend of micro-volunteering by incorporating service-learning projects that allow students to gain real-world experience while making a difference in their communities, leading to innovative approaches to education and engagement.
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