Buy once, give twice this holiday season

For the person who has everything? How about a tour of The Office with Dwight – all to benefit The Acting Company.

Ah, what to get that person who has everything? How about private fitness classes with a personal trainer or one month of unlimited yoga classes? Perhaps calligraphy for wedding invitations by a local artist? Maybe a tarot card reading? Here’s something special- spend a day touring the set of NBC’s The Office with actor Rainn Wilson who plays Dwight Schrute.

These are just a handful of the items offered through BiddingForGood, each to benefit charities from Maine to Hawaii. With the tag line “Shop for a cause,” the web company pioneered online fundraising auctions for non profits when it launched ten years ago. The winning bidder often walks away with an item at a discounted price or a one-of-a-kind experience and the charity receives the donation. Interested in the calligraphy or yoga? Those are offered in support of Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine. A Dwight Schrute fan? That package benefits The Acting Company. Would you like comedian Denis Leary to record your outgoing voicemail? He’ll do it to raise funds for Emerson College.

Since its founding BiddingForGood has processed an amazing $169 million in bids for all shapes and sizes of non profits, helping local PTOs afford new text books and animal shelters care for abandoned pets. With cyber shopping in full swing for the holidays, online auctions are another worthwhile consideration for gifts that give twice.

christengraham

About christengraham

President of Giving Strong, Inc. Christen advises businesses, foundations and families for how to make a greater social impact.