Jumo combines the best of social networking with charity activism
Screenshot via Jumo
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Chris Hughes, a veteran of both Facebook and President Obama's online campaign, has launched a new endeavor that we're excited about: Jumo.
Jumo is a social do-gooding website that helps connect people with projects working on the issues most near and dear to their heart, making online activism even easier. Jumo manages to take some of the best elements of social networking, which connects us to the things we care about most, to some the best elements of non-profits and NGOs, which includes participation to whatever level you feel comfortable with. It's sort of like a hybrid between Facebook and Kiva or Kickstarter, though takes us beyond being a "fan" on the Facebook page of some project we support (note Jumo works with Facebook Connect, so that "Follow" button is readily available on non-profit pages) to really taking part in the success of that project.
Rather than simply a platform for placing donations, Jumo takes the connection a step farther by allowing the people placing donations to also ask questions, make comments, post stories, and otherwise engage with the non-profit or issue they support. Jumo wants to be the hub for the community engagement around a non-profit, the place where not just money, but real, honest-to-goodness support is raised.
Fast Company reports, "The goal is to inspire good works through social discovery, trust, familiarity, and intimacy. 'We are really more like a social news site,' he says, with an emphasis on social. 'We believe that sustained giving happens only after you get to know an organization.'"
While hanging out on Jumo is not the same as going down to the food bank or animal shelter to volunteer your time and help out in a direct way, it could certainly be a platform that gets people excited enough about the cause they're supporting to finally get out the door and volunteer. At the very least, it can help make people feel more secure that their financial donations are going to a non-profit they can whole-heartedly support.
One problem with Jumo is that it requires a Facebook account to sign up. While it seems that everyone and their mother has a Facebook account, it does limit participation for those who either don't have an account, or don't want their Facebook account linked to Jumo. However, for those who do have a Facebook account, Jumo makes it easy to find friends who are using the new service and interact with them.
Jumo is currently in beta mode, so you can hop on, use the platform, and provide feedback to help polish the online activism experience.
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