I always wonder if there were other people in the world who have the same passion for giving back to the community as I do. I feel like I always have good ideas that can potentially help others, but I find myself lacking essential necessities that would enable my initiatives to come to fruition.
While there are government grants available for people looking to start non-profit organizations, the process can be very daunting and uneventful. In addition to federal grants, many organizations have also backed non-profits in their endeavors. While this has been a great help in promoting and sustaining community initiatives around the world, I have always wished there was a platform that fully supported community involvement along with the monetary assistance that is often required.
When I heard about the Pepsi Refresh Project, I knew my dreams had become a reality. Finally, a company is helping people/organizations help others.
The Pepsi Refresh Project, a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good, will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that refresh the world. The program launched on January 13 and has already exceeded expectations by receiving the monthly limit of 1,000 submissions in less than seven days with at least one from each state in the U.S. Joining this effort are actors Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon, who have generated their own ideas for Pepsi Refresh and are competing for support in the Pepsi Refresh Celebrity Challenge, which also launched.
“The Pepsi Refresh Project puts the financial resources in the hands of those who are passionate about creating a better world. I am very pleased to be a part of this creative initiative to refresh our world,” said Demi Moore. Moore will campaign for her own Pepsi Refresh Idea as part of the Pepsi Refresh Celebrity Challenge in support of GEMS – Girls Educational & Mentoring Services. The grant would provide support to outreach workers who help women who have experienced sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking integrate back into society as healthy, safe, productive individuals.
“The overwhelmingly positive response we have received since launching our campaign has been incredible and we are confident that this program will only continue to flourish in 2010,” said Beraud. “This is the people’s project, it’s in their hands. We encourage all individuals to submit their creative and innovative ideas to the Pepsi Refresh Project and cast their votes for the ideas that they want to see come to life.”
The Pepsi Refresh Project can be found at www.refresheverything.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/refresheverything or on Twitter, @Pepsi or #pepsirefresh.
Because of the popularity of Pepsi’s Refresh Project, Socialtik is forced to wait until March 1 to submit our entry, but we are committed to making an impact in society, so we will continue to pursue this opportunity despite how long it may take.
