TFG Charity of the Month

AUCTION HEROES
ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE CLICKS FOR CHARITIES

Every month THE FAMILY GROOVE features a different charity in its esteemed Charity of the Month column.
This time around, we've decided to take a slightly different angle by introducing you to an innovative
company that provides online charity auctions for non-profits. With so many important charities like the
American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Clubs, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children and Handi Kids, cMarket makes
fundraising exciting (think eBay) and globally accessible, putting a modern, non-elitist and user-friendly face
on charity while essentially democratizing the act of donating.

cMarket_logo

cMarket was created in 2003 with a vision of “creating a website
that would have a positive, demonstrable impact on the lives of others,” says its Chairman and CEO Jon Carson, who continues, “The cMarket team believes that nonprofits improve the lives of the less fortunate. The vision is to invigorate, enlarge and sustain the community of sponsors committed to making the world a better place.”

Since its inception, cMarket has grown to become the nation's largest provider of online fundraising for auction events, helping over 2,000 clients raise over $25 million to benefit nonprofits, and has also birthed a subsidiary site called Bidding for Good. The company provides an arena for both large and small organizations to generate new and stronger avenues of income while simultaneously fostering a heightened awareness for these worthy causes.

cMarket helps organizations that cover the entire non-profit gamut from education to the environment to health and human services and the arts. “cMarket's mission is to enable nonprofit organizations to widen their circle of supporters and to create new opportunities for fundraising. By removing the time and space constraints of traditional charitable auctions, cMarket aggregates passionate and enduring communities of like-minded donors, individuals, and corporate sponsors who act as benefactors and supporters. These individuals experience the act of giving in a new, fun and entertaining way—purchasing great products and services—while lending support to the causes that are important to them,” Carson adds.

BiddingForGood_logo

Carson and his do-good crew have been able to take the propagation of giving to a new level with its launch of www.biddingforgood.com in November 2006. Already thriving with a membership of close to 30,000 consumers, the interactive portal “brings together cause-conscious auction lovers with participating non-profit organizations hosting cMarket auctions. Buyers can quickly and easily find the specific types of items they're looking for, and can further search by organization, cause category or geography. It’s not only a place where people can easily find items they want to bid on; they can also donate items and learn more about the organizations and how to get involved with the causes.” says Carson.
sep Charity image

BIDNESS, MAN
CHECK OUT WHAT CMARKET AND BIDDING FOR GOOD'S GOT ON THE BLOCK

	Weekend Getaway to Lake Tahoe, America's Adventure Getaway
	Apprenticeship with World-Famous Fashion Designer Cynthia Rowley
	Two tickets to the Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
	Dine at the James Beard Foundation
	Seven-Night Stay in a Condo in Maui
	Two American Airlines Tickets to Anywhere in Contiguous US, Canada or Mexico
	Four VIP Tickets to The Rachael Ray Show
	American Music Awards Tickets
	Four Tickets to the New England Aquarium
	Garden State Philharmonic Tickets

Ready to shop with a conscience? Go to www.cmarket.com and www.biddingforgood.com to contribute to the greater good—while scooping up some luxe goods and services along the way.

CALLING ALL MOM AND POP-TREPRENEURS: GET YOUR CHARITY UP
cMarket makes creating an online auction for any non-profit organization easy with its OurAuction Pro system that includes everything an organization needs to create, customize, promote and manage an online auction event. Remember: an online auction as an adjunct to a gala auction is a powerful and modern way to raise funds.