The Official Modest Needs Blog

Modest Needs Bouquet

Next time you're in need of flowers, I hope you'll consider some blooms that carry a little extra helping of joy.

We've established an exciting new fundraising program in conjunction with Organic Bouquet, a floral company known for sustainably grown flowers offered at reasonable prices. On Organic Bouquet's website you can now purchase our very own "Modest Needs Bouquet," a beautiful collection of 12 pink-trimmed Crown Majesty roses for $49.95, with 5% of the proceeds going directly to our applicants.

Not only will your special someone appreciate the gesture -- so will the hardworking family who receives your donation as a result.

Less Than 1 Week Left!

With less than a week to go in June, we're more than halfway to the $100,000 we need to claim a $200,000 matching grant. Will you help put us over the top?

There has never been a better time to give at Modest Need.

**Update**

We did it!!  Thanks to all of you for your support.

Modest Needs on msnbc

I actually caught this Modest Needs news story while sitting in a New York City cab! What a wonderful way to round out an afternoon...

For those of you who didn't see it air, here's a lovely news piece by NBC New York that interviews Lisa Bova, a single mom in Brooklyn whose mortgage was paid by Modest Needs donors when she found herself, for the first time, unable to make ends meet.

In her own words...

"I truly can't even begin to tell you what it meant to this family and for me because I want to do it on my own," she said. "I'm trying so hard, and without this help I wouldn't be able to do it. And I look forward to helping someone else as I've been helped."

A 2009 Approach to Online Giving

We're in the news again! In this fascinating Computerworld article, writer Paul Lamb explores how the web continues to evolve as a force for good.

Using the Internet to accept donations was a first step for nonprofits, but certain organizations -- like Modest Needs, as he mentions -- are going a step (or two) further. Not only do we appreciate the Internet for its transactional efficiency, but we capitalize on its ability to remove the middleman. You, as the donor, have the power to tell us exactly who you'd like your donation to help.

P.S. Don't miss all the great web-friendly do-gooder opportunities in here that you can use to support Modest Needs -- from eBay GivingWorks to Goodsearch. 

Double the Power of Your Giving, for Free

It's official!

In 2009, thanks to our continuing matching grant initiative, we will DOUBLE the value of any recurring donation you make to Modest Needs via a weekly, biweekly, or monthly pledge.

Let's say you pledge $20 a month. An anonymous foundation will match your $20 and increase the value of your monthly contribution to $40. And that doesn't happen once; it happens EVERY SINGLE MONTH that you pledge for 2009, until we reach our grant maximum.

So if you decide to contribute to Modest Needs, please consider a monthly pledge!

There's no easier way to make the most your contribution.

A Helping Hand for the Newly Unemployed

If you're like me, you know people who've recently lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Lots of people.

Now the shock of job loss -- especially in this economy -- is tough enough on its own. But what about the first month or two of going without, before unemployment benefits kick in and before someone has a chance to find a new role? How can we expect people to land new jobs when they're at risk of losing their car, their electricity, or their childcare?

To keep those kinds of expenses from sabotaging a job search, we've recently launched "Bridge Grants." This goal of this revolutionary new kind of funding at Modest Needs is simple: to see the newly unemployed through their toughest days.

We can't find people new jobs. But we sure can try to keep their heads above water for a short time while they're frantically doing it for themselves.

Modest Needs in the Christian Science Monitor

Don't miss the latest piece on Modest Needs!

See You in 2009!

Modest Needs' offices will be closed tomorrow, January 1st, 2009, in celebration of New Year's day. We will be working normal hours today, New Year's Eve, December 31st.

We look forward to responding to your questions or inquiries on Friday, January 2nd.

Please be safe tonight, everyone! And thank you for another INCREDIBLE, record-breaking year!

Our Holiday Hours

Please note that Modest Needs' offices (both East and West Coast) will be closed for the holidays starting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 23rd. We will re-open again regular time on Monday, December 29th.

We wish all of you a safe, happy holiday, and we look forward to speaking to you next week!

A Tasty TV Interview with Modest Needs

A little while ago I had the honor of being interviewed by Fox TV New York's Christina Park, on the show "Good Day Street Talk." Christina asked me all about what we do here at Modest Needs and how the organization first got started. Even more exciting, we brought her samples of some of the delicious dishes available on TEMPO restaurant's $42 prixe-fixe menu -- which they'll be offering every Saturday in December, with 100% of the proceeds coming to us.

So check out the interview! And remember to call (718) 636-2020 if you're interested in booking a table at TEMPO.