DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org is a global nonprofit youth organization focused on mobilizing young people for social change. Founded in 1993, the organization creates campaigns that connect adolescents and young adults with volunteer activities addressing social issues. DoSomething.org partners with schools, companies, media outlets, and civic institutions to scale volunteerism and measure outcomes.

History

DoSomething.org was founded during the early 1990s, a period marked by the emergence of the Clinton administration and increased nonprofit innovation through initiatives influenced by figures such as Bill Gates and Ted Turner. In the 2000s the organization grew alongside platforms like MySpace and Facebook, benefiting from digital mobilization trends similar to campaigns run by Amnesty International and The Salvation Army. Expansion continued into the 2010s amid collaborations with entities such as United Nations programs and partnerships reminiscent of work by Habitat for Humanity and Teach For America. The organization’s trajectory intersected with major events including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and awareness movements like the Black Lives Matter protests, reflecting shifts in youth engagement modeled by groups like Students for Liberty and March for Our Lives.

Mission and Programs

The mission emphasizes empowering young people to take action on issues ranging from public health to civil rights, echoing aims of organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Red Cross, Greenpeace, and Human Rights Campaign. Ongoing programs mirror strategies used by entities such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Boy Scouts of America in youth development and community service. Educational components align with curricula influences similar to Harvard University extension efforts and collaborations like those between Khan Academy and nonprofit partners. Programs often use digital tools comparable to those developed by Google, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube to recruit volunteers and disseminate content, resembling outreach models used by National Public Radio and The New York Times.

Campaigns and Impact

Campaigns tackle topics including health, education access, environmental stewardship, and civic participation, similar in scope to initiatives by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, World Health Organization, and Environmental Protection Agency. Notable campaign themes reflect cultural moments connected to works like The Hunger Games and Hamilton (musical) through youth-driven advocacy, and mobilization strategies parallel grassroots drives of Sierra Club and 350.org. Impact measurement practices draw on evaluation frameworks used by Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and research institutions such as Pew Research Center. Campaign outcomes have been cited in media outlets comparable to Time (magazine), The Guardian, CNN, and BBC News for mobilizing volunteers on causes associated with events like World AIDS Day, Earth Day, and International Youth Day.

Organizational Structure and Funding

Governance is overseen by a board and executive leadership similar to structures at American Civil Liberties Union, United Way, World Wildlife Fund, and Oxfam. Funding sources include philanthropic grants, corporate sponsorships, and earned revenue strategies reflective of practices at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and major corporations such as Microsoft, Apple Inc., Amazon (company), and Nike, Inc.. Financial oversight and nonprofit compliance align with standards promoted by Internal Revenue Service filings and guidance from watchdogs like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and Better Business Bureau. Human resources and program staffing mirror models used by academic-affiliated nonprofits like Stanford Social Innovation Review contributors and national service organizations such as AmeriCorps.

Partnerships and Recognition

Partnerships have included media enterprises, corporate brands, and nonprofit coalitions similar to alliances formed by Warner Bros., Viacom, Facebook, Inc., and Comcast. Collaborations with advocacy groups reflect joint efforts akin to campaigns by Planned Parenthood, ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and Doctors Without Borders. Recognition and awards echo honors conferred by institutions like Fast Company, Forbes, Echoing Green, and MacArthur Fellows Program, while alumni and influencers associated with campaigns have ties to cultural and political figures comparable to Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Malala Yousafzai. International cooperation aligns with programs run by United Nations Children's Fund and regional bodies similar to European Commission initiatives.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States