On Sept. 15, $2,500 was raised in 15 minutes. The money went to Reach Studio Art Center and will contribute to a
crowdfunding campaign to expand the center's building and services. There was no fundraiser, no event to call attention to the organization … just a small group of people, a bowl full of names, and a goal to make a difference.
Modeled after
100 Women Who Care,
Underground of Good participants aim to be the change they want to see in the community. According to one of the founders, Robin Miner-Swartz, the group began with seven people and a question: “What if we didn't just spend money in the community? What if we gave some?” From there, the idea grew, and a simple but powerful forum was created.
The Rules
Participating is intentionally simple, which, according to Miner-Swartz, is the way the group wanted it. Anyone who wants to join must be able to give $100 at each quarterly meeting and must commit to one year. A theme is announced before each meeting (education, placemaking, etc.) and all organizations must fall within that category. Each participant drops their organization of choice into a bowl, three are drawn, and those who voted for the chosen organizations are given three minutes to plead their case. The group votes by ballot and the majority rules. To the winner go the spoils.
The money accrued is a one-time donation, and a notification letter is sent to the winning organization. Once an organization wins, it can’t win again for a year and Underground of Good participants, or the group itself, cannot be solicited for more donations.
For Good
At September’s meeting, Underground of Good participants were able to provide Reach Studio Art Center with funds to help with an upcoming expansion, to assist the nonprofit in becoming an even bigger asset to the community. The theme selected was education, and even though the other organizations weren’t chosen, the meeting gave participants a chance to bring attention to the causes they care about. No matter who wins, no one really loses. “You may feel like you know all of the
organizations in Lansing,” says Miner-Swartz, “and then you learn about a new one.”
Organizations that have received funds in the past include the
Robert Busby Memorial Garden,
Fenner Nature Center, and the
Refugee Development Center. According to Miner-Swartz, “It’s really great to see the diversity of the organization. The categories really force you to think outside of the box.”
Because Underground of Good offers a donation rather than a grant, the organization selected can choose how to use the money. “Some of these organizations simply need operating dollars,” says Miner-Swartz. “There’s something really satisfying about handing that money to an organization that needs it.”
Growth
Miner-Swartz is hoping the satisfaction and passion of the people in the community will bring in more participants. Even though the number has steadily grown since the first meeting, they hope to grow into an even bigger, more sustainable model, like 100 Women Who Care.
At the moment, it has simply grown through word of mouth. Many of the members are young professionals from the #lovelansing crowd but Miner-Swartz would love to bring in a wider range of people.
September’s meeting was the first for Kirk Riley, and he was thrilled with the impact they made. “It’s really cool to get together with people who want to help. They value what nonprofits do and they want to empower them.” Even if people can’t make the meetings, they are more than willing to send a check to whatever organization is chosen. It’s this attitude that makes Lansing, and the people who love Lansing, really stand out.
They may not be planning events or fundraisers in the future, but Miner-Swartz says they don’t want to take away from other groups that do that. They plan to keep the meetings simple and be respectful of each other’s schedules. They just want to keep the focus on giving.
According to Miner-Swartz, “Greater Lansing is different. We don’t have the philanthropic families of Grand Rapids and other cities, but we do have a ‘we’re in this together attitude.’” Underground of Good is a prime example of that. It is proof that in Lansing you can gather a few friends and actually do something substantial for the community.
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Allison Monroe is the innovation and jobs editor for Capital Gains.
Photos ©
Dave Trumpie
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of
Trumpie Photography.
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