So far, 378 people have chosen Compassion Over Consumption
More than $107,190 has been Given 4 Good
Click here to see which organizations are benefiting from your
choosing compassion over consumption.
The E4GR Stimulus Check Campaign
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 6:21
The Challenge
Stand up against the twisted logic that we should consume more to "fix" an economy based on unsustainable overconsumption.
Take the "economic stimulus check" you'll get from the government this summer (or a similar amount if you don't qualify for a check) and pledge to give all or part of it to an organization(s) OF YOUR CHOICE working to alleviate global poverty.
Choose compassion over consumption. Give It 4 Good.
Frequently Asked Questions:
As part of the pledge you will asked to commit to one of three giving levels ... or to choose "other" and give at any level you choose. The three levels are:
1) Give it all (100%)
2) Tithe it (10%)
3) Give 0.7% (Wondering what this figure is? Check out this FAQ and find out)
Give at the highest level you can, but with the lowest level being less than one percent, everyone should be able to take part somehow. You can use this chart to figure out how much your donation will be. After you're done, you'll be sent back to this page to learn more about What One Person Can Do to Choose Compassion over Consumption..
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do we send the money to Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation? (Hint: No)
What if I need the money to pay my bills/pay down debt?
How do I figure out how much my check is and how much money my chosen percentage is?
What if I'm not getting a "stimulus check"?
Why not give to organizations fighting local/domestic poverty?
STEP II - Tell Your Elected Officials
Prophetic actions are great advocacy opportunities. Conventional Washington wisdom is that people think these checks are a great idea and don't care about things like the MDGs. Let your leaders know you're putting your treasure where your heart is.
Click here to find and send an email to your senators.
Click here to find and send an email to your U.S. representative .
And after you've done that ... make sure you have:
Joined the ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History (you can also do this through ONE Episcopalian -- The Episcopal Church's partnership with ONE).
Joined the Episcopal Public Policy Network to be kept updated on MDG advocacy opportunities.
2. Email your friends and family.
An email to a friend or family member is one of the best ways you can spread the word about Give It 4 Good. The personal witness of someone you know and trust is a powerful motivator. Even a short note like "I went to this site and took this pledge and thought you might want to also." Even better, include a little bit about where you're sending your money ... and why that's important to you. Make sure you include this web address in your e-mail: www.e4gr.org/giveit4good.html.
3. Put "Give it 4 Good" in your email signature line.
Almost every e-mail program lets you add a "signature" to the bottom of all of your outgoing e-mail. By adding a brief mention of "Give It 4 Good" along with our web address to your signature, you can help spread the word. We suggest something like, "Choose Compassion Over Consumption. Take your rebate check and GiveIt4Good -- www.e4gr.org". In Outlook Express, you can do this by clicking "Options" and then the "Signatures" tab.
4. Use these pledge sheets in your congregation to collect more pledge signatures
Pledge sheet - Word Pledge sheet - PDF
Use these charts with the pledge sheets to help people figure out their check and pledge amounts.
5. Click here to download, print and post fliers and bulletin inserts
Promote Give It 4 Good on your congregation's bulletin board or bookstore, put a flier up at your local coffeeshop (There's space on the fliers for you to add information about where your church is ... this is evangelism, too!). Use the bulletin insert on Sunday morning. Be creative!
STEP IV - Continue the Conversation
Participating in Give It For Good is an on-ramp into transforming your life and transforming our world. As you encourage your friends and fellow congregants to join the movement, Click here to go to our Give It 4 Good Resource Page for a growing library of resources to help individuals, families and congregations look at what it means to live a Gospel-based discipleship in a culture of hyperconsumption.
