Gov't-Backed Website Connects U.S. Donors to Overseas Groups

By Aaron J. Leichman, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, January 27, 2009

A new web-based platform has been launched to pair U.S.-based organizations and communities with NGOs, nonprofits, and community organizations oversees in need of physical resources, services and expertise.

Announced over the weekend by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives and Sister Cities International, the Community Connector (C2) will promote relationships between organizations and communities by providing an online resource for groups to promote their specific community needs for resources and expertise.

"C2 is aimed in particular at international NGOs that do not have the resources or expertise to find aid for their projects," explained Sister Cities International, which is hosting C2 on its website.

"Donors may be any individual or organization that wishes to help worthy causes throughout the world," the organization added.

The idea behind C2 is similar to ServantMatch, a web tool launched late last year by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) that helps match donors with specific ministries and other faith-based non-profits.

Unlike ServantMatch, however, C2 will include groups hailing from a variety of different religions as well as those entirely secular.

During its first year, organizers say C2 will focus on identifying organizations and projects in Africa, but will also allow any organization worldwide to enter their needs or search for a recipient.

Using C2, potential recipients of aid can post a profile of their organization; post project requests that identify what their project is, and what type of aid they seek; and/or be contacted by potential donors of aid. Requests for funding will not be accepted and all potential recipients of aid are required to be NGOs in good standing in their country. To ensure that they conform to international standards for NGOs and charitable organizations, each potential recipient will be vetted.

Potential donors of aid, meanwhile, can use C2 to search the database for organizations and projects based on type of project, type of aid requested, or geographic location; contact potential recipients of aid to offer resources, knowledge, or volunteers; and/or create an organizational profile and track donations of aid.

"Given the significant interest and participation in humanitarian assistance among community and school groups, private-public partnerships, faith-based organizations and local sister city programs in the U.S., we believe a more coordinated effort between U.S. groups and NGOs abroad will deliver greater impact to those in need," Sister Cities International expressed.

Sister Cities International's stated mission is to "[p]romote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation — one individual, one community at a time."

On the Web:

Community Connector website at www.sister-cities.org/c2