A Drop in the Bucket

Matthew Wormald's personal fundraising page tracked the donations Matthew gave to WaterAid America over the year 2008 in lieu of spending on personal luxuries.  

Matthew's online fundraising group A Drop In The Bucket raised $3,610 for WaterAid America by people giving donations instead of buying small luxuries.

Matthew, aged 23, from Vancouver, BC invited his friends and family to join him in forgoing spending on items such as coffees, drinks after work, new clothes or meals out can add up over a year.

Here's the message he sent to people he knew:

"That's where you come in. If enough people can sacrifice a personal luxury just once over the next year - and instead donate the monetary equivalent of said luxury to WaterAid. So for example, at some point over the coming year, instead of buying a cup of coffee, donate $2 to WaterAid. Or instead of buying an extra sweater, donate $30. Add a literal drop in the bucket!"

Matthew collected the donations on a personal online fundraising page that he created using the site First Giving, who securely transfer all the funds to WaterAid America.

A Drop In The Bucket was launched on 24 December 2007 and ran until 24 December 2008. Matthew promoted it by using new media such as creating promotional videos on YouTube.

Inspired by Matthew's story?  Find out how you can set up your own online fundraising page.