Squidblog

Hello generous lensmasters,

Things sure have changed for charities on Squidoo over the past three years! Squidoo is as dedicated to helping our non-profits as ever - 5% off the top of everything we make goes to charity, right away, without fail. Of course, the best charities know that the real power is in making lenses and being active partners.

The good news is we’ve gotten more organized and are attracting charities that are super enthusiastic about getting out there and making Squidoo work for them. New charities have a list of criteria they must meet and maintain in order to be registered with us. (The IRS says so.) Plus we have a few of our own requirements that helps us attract organizations that are working hard to earn donations, rather than sitting back and not joining in. After all, it’s easier to support an organization that’s working hard to help itself, right?

As we continue to expand our list and efforts, we’re also taking a look at existing charities. There are a few, alas, that have changed their internal advocates who were working with us, and for which we’ve wound up with outdated data and information, or are unable to contact at all. Would we love to keep working with them, and will we continue making it easier for you to choose what charity you want to support? Of course.

In the meantime, though, we’re updating our membership list and removing a small handful of charities that have disappeared into the ether. IMPORTANT: If one of these is a nonprofit you have earmarked your lenses for, you’ll be seeing those payment settings default to the Squidoo Charity Fund. It’s easy to see which charities these are, and make quick, global changes to your payment settings here.

Here are the charities that will be leaving us:
AIDS Research Alliance
All Golf’s Kids
American Can! Academy
American Institute of Architects
American Refugee Committee
Andean Aid
Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity
Caring Hands
Children’s Defense Fund
College Media Scholars
Community Supervision
Covenant House California
Destination Cure
First Nations Outreach
Fund for Peace
Gaston Youth Football Organization
Genocide Intervention Network
Global Action Foundation
Grand Street Settlement Beacon
Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America
Heifer International
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Midway Cub Scouts
MyTwoFrontTeeth.org
National Latino Children’s Institute
Oxfam America
PA Breast Cancer Coalition
People for the American Way
Preeclampsia Foundation
Rabbit Rescue
Rotary Club
Sobriety High Digital Media
Society for Orphaned Children in Canada
Stroke Network
Talking Science
The Andrews Alumnae Association
The Liberty Kids
The Love of God Ministies
Tides Foundation
UJA Federation of New York
Veterans for America
Violence Policy Center
Volunteer Match

Of course, you can always send donations to these organizations directly, and if you’re super passionate about one of these charities, encourage them to reapply! It’s quick and easy, and you can learn all about it here.

Why not make a new lens for a charity partner? You can meet them at Charity Central.

Have fun!