Fountain Square programming is made possible solely by generous sponsorships and grants, so they are always  fundraising. To make it easy for people at Fountain Square concerts and events to donate and keep the programing free, Fountain Square launched their text2give program this summer. All you have to do is use the form below or pick up your phone and text “FOUNTAIN” to “85944″ to donate $10 to Fountain Square programming. And don’t forget to reply YES to confirm your donation. It’s that easy!

On May 16th, 2010, musicians, business leaders in New Orleans and community radio station WWOZ-FM came together to create the GULF AID benefit concert to raise funds for wetland recovery efforts, fishermen and their families as oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico from the site of the collapsed deepwater Horizon.

The concert brought together multiplatinum recording artist Lenny Kravitz, who is also a part-time New Orleans resident, as well as Allen Toussaint, John Legend, Mos Def, Ani DiFranco, The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars (featuring Tab Benoit, Dr. John, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., Waylon Thibodeaux, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux,  and many more.

In an effort to increase donations at the event, and harness the excitement, energy, and passion of the attendees at the event, Causecast Mobile Fundraising set up up a text2pledge program for the Gulf Aid Benefit Concert.

Attendees, and even those looking to offer support from across the country, texted “GULF AID (amount)” to “23178″ and pledged to donate ANY amount to help relief efforts in the Gulf.

Proceeds from the concert and the text2pledge donations will be used to stop the oil from destroying our wetlands and provide financial aid to affected fishermen and their families as oil continues to affect the Gulf of Mexico from the site of the collapsed deepwater horizon.

The campaign encourages people to text “NET” to “85944” to donate a $10 life saving mosquito net (powered by Causecast Mobile Fundraising and our Text2Give widget) in addition to a “RT2Give” service powered by TwitPay. Each $10 donation will be matched by the Case Foundation, up to $25,000.

In addition to the calls to action being tweeted by Twitter itself to over it’s 3.1 Million followers,  celebrities, leaders and the rest of the online community are being encouraged to retweet the message. Twitter has also set up a microsite for the campaign on it’s Hope140.org site, at http://hope140.org/endmalaria.

The campaign will run through April 27th, and you can follow the twitter hashtag #endmalaria to stay posted on its success!

On Sunday, April 25th, Earth Day Network and partner organizations will organize a massive climate rally on The National Mall, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and demand that Congress pass a strong climate bill in 2010. The rally will include notable speakers Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director, James Cameron, AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, Olympic gold medalist, Billy Demong, producer, Trudie Styler, author, Margaret Atwood, NFL player and television personality, Dhani Jones, environmental photographer Sebastian Copeland and many more.

The Climate Rally will also feature live music from Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Willie Colón, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Booker T, Honor Society and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger.

By texting “EARTH” to “85944″,  attendees will have a simple and immediate way to support Earth Day. Earth Day Network will also be using Text2Screen and Text2Broadcast, to conduct mobile polls and ask the audience to text in answers to Earth Day related questions- to then be put on the big screen.

We’re looking forward to checking back after Earth Day and tracking their success!

Text CHILE to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross via text to donate

Text CHILE to 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity via text to donate

Text CHILE to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision via text to donate

Text CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Friends of World Food Program via text to donate

Text CHILE to 52000 to donate $10 to Salvation Army via text to donate

Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA via text to donate

Text 4CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope via text to donate

Text CHILE to 864833 to donate $10 to United Way

We think this is an excellent example of how an organization can integrate text donations into their existing social media strategy.

With Text-to-Give nonprofit organizations can easily integrate captions and graphics that turn ordinary video watchers into donors.  Ben and his team made their video actionable by adding this graphic: “Text STILLER TO 85944 to Give $5 To Build The School in Haiti.” See a few of the video examples below.

Ben Stiller and Lance Armonstrong

Ben Stiller and Bill Clinton

PRESS RELEASE BELOW

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Global Green Asks Watchers to help New Orleans win More Than a Game by Donating $10 to the Green Rebuilding by Texting –at the end of the 1st Quarter — GREENDAT to 85944

Global Green USA – founded by Indianapolis native Diane Meyer Simon – who has helped lead the way in the green rebuilding of New Orleans, and the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) of Indianapolis have expanded the challenges between the two cities to include a “green” wager.

If the Saints win the big game, a New Orleanian gets to enjoy an energy efficient green house for a weekend in Indianapolis, and luxuriously green dining at the famed “R Bar” restaurant on Massachusetts Avenue. The house, owned by Anne Laker and Joe Merrick, is a showcase for green products with a geothermal heating system.

If the Colts win, a Colts fan will be hosted by Global Green’s New Orleans office and spend a glorious Jazz Fest Weekend in one of the nation’s greenest houses, built as part of Global Green’s Holy Cross Project village of homes, community center and multi-family housing in the Holy Cross neighborhood of the Lower 9th Ward. Fine New Orleans dining for two at New Orleans legendary Galatoire’s restaurant in the French Quarter is also included in the New Orleans weekend.

“New Orleans, now the increasingly famous home of the Who Dat Nation, is also becoming one of the world’s leading centers for green building. Both the Saints and the city’s neighborhoods fought to come back better than before Katrina,” said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green, a non-profit organization that advocates for sustainable, energy saving building practices. “Along with this wager, we are asking people to help continue the green rebuilding of New Orleans by – at the end of the 1st quarter, or anytime throughout the game – texting GREENDAT to 85944. $10 will automatically be added to your phone bill, and all the money will help low-income families move into energy efficient, healthy homes in New Orleans.”

“As the Saints improved their scores, New Orleanians have been working to improve their energy bills, and the safety of their homes, schools and neighborhoods from the onslaught of future storms,” said Beth Galante, Director of Global Green’s New Orleans office.

Over ten thousand visitors have experienced green living first hand on tours of Global Green’s LEED Platinum house that presently also serves as a visitor center, located at 409 Andry Street, adjacent to the levee in Holy Cross. Two additional houses – whose energy bills will be 70% below average – have been completed and are for sale.

Thousands have also benefited from forums presenting important advice on green building, and the New Orleans public schools are now opening newly renovated schools that have green features recommended by Global Green as part of its Green Schools Initiative.

“I’m so proud of Global Green’s work to rebuild New Orleans green, but on Superbowl Sunday, my entire family and I will be rooting for the Colts so I’ll look forward to welcoming a lucky Indy fan to New Orleans” said Diane Meyer Simon.

In Indianapolis, where Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, receiver Reggie Wayne, both native New Orleanians, and running back Joseph Addai, a former LSU student and resident of Louisiana, could be thought of as ex-patriot Who Dats, HEC has also been focusing on green building issues to help that city face the challenges of climate change.

But, Who Dat says they Gonna Beat Dem Saints?