# New charity focuses on Web 2.0 from the beginning

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/09/new-charity-focuses-web-20-beginning/
- Published: 2008-12-09T12:32:32+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

I’m following new UK-based charity Child’s i Foundation with interest. They are 
intentionally using Web 2.0 tools to build up an international network of supporters,
and are holding back from fundraising appeals at this point. The current site is
a free WordPress blog, but they’ll be launching their own site in the New Year.

They’ve made some impressive contacts already, including being the beneficiaries
of a ‘Digital Dinner’ at The Spectator magazine, hosted by Matthew D’Ancona. They’ve
already got 400 members on their Facebook group.

They know there is plenty more they can and should be doing, but they’ve made a 
good start.

## Advertisement

I’m always excited to see charities trying to get the most out of new media, and
especially social media, so I reckon this is one to watch.

www.childsifoundation.org

 * **[As Facebook hits 150 million users, Social Networking sites get 1 in 10 UK Christmas Internet visits](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/09/facebook-hits-150m-users-social-networking-sites-get-1-10-uk-christmas-internet-visits/)**(
   9 January 2009)
 * **[Charities Trust and Cleversquirrel prepare to launch new initiative](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/23/charities-trust-and-cleversquirrel-prepare-launch-new-initiative/)**(
   23 January 2009)
 * **[Facebook – is it me?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/04/16/facebook-it-me/)**(
   16 April 2009)

## Comments

### By: Redina Kolaneci

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/09/new-charity-focuses-web-20-beginning/#comment-3441
- Published: 2008-12-13T11:18:19+00:00

I have just had a look at the website of this charity and this is truly exciting–
I hope they meet their fundraising goals.

What I liked the most about it, which something I have been bending the ears of 
my fundraiser friends and clients, is the warm and personal approach. You can see
people who are involved in the charity – you can see the beneficiaries as well as
the donors and staff. Most charity websites give the impression that these charities
are run by nameless individuals. They want you to communicate to them through ‘info@
charity.com’ And the online supporters of most charities seem to be a nameless bunch
behind the scenes. These charities rarely introduce the web visitor to supporters
who are involved with the charity.

This website however, wins my admiration on both counts – on offering me, (the visitor)
an opportunity to see the people who work for the charity, to read about their vision
and aspirations firsthand. And, on introducing some of their supporters to me through
the flicrk photos, etc. I feel welcomed on this website and wanting to join…. don’t
you?

Redina Kolaneci 
 Senior Fundraising & Stewardship Consultant McConkey/Johnston 
International UK [http://www.mcconkey-johnston.co.uk](http://www.mcconkey-johnston.co.uk)

### By: admin

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/09/new-charity-focuses-web-20-beginning/#comment-3442
- Published: 2009-01-19T12:16:17+00:00

[⌊Kirsty on camera⌉⌊Kirsty on camera⌉[

I met up with Kirsty Stephenson, Digital Planner at Child’s i Foundation, last week
to find out more about how the new charity is focusing on social media to secure
and develop supporters.

[⌊Lights....Flip...Action⌉⌊Lights....Flip...Action⌉[

It was cold in the park along London’s Embankment, hence the shaking camera. Lucy
Buck of Childs i was there too.

[http://www.childsifoundation.org](http://www.childsifoundation.org)

### By: admin

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/09/new-charity-focuses-web-20-beginning/#comment-3443
- Published: 2009-12-04T10:04:46+00:00

It’s one year since I first met up with Lucy and Kirsty from Child’s i Foundation.
I’m delighted to say that I was right to describe them as “one to watch”. Lucy is
on her way as I write this to Uganda to oversee Phase One of the charity’s Child
Abandonment Project.

If you ever need convincing that a new charity can achieve a great deal within its
first year, look at Child’s i.

 which summarises some of their achievements over the past year.

What has brought their success? The right people, persistence (has anyone actually
said no to Lucy?!), clear thinking, pulling in contacts and favours, and building
an extensive network of supporters who give time, money or ‘love’. More importantly,
they use and involve that network extensively.

Oh yes. They are also using the wonderful low-cost tools of social media to great
effect.

There is a lot to learn from what they’ve done in the past year. Even better, child’s
i have already shared most of what they’ve learned online via their website and 
social media presences.

Good luck Lucy and co!