Not too long ago Verizon unveiled a new ad campaign called “Rule the Air.” But the company’s message that it was giving users full reign over their Web presence seemed suspect considering its recent partnership with Google…

There’s a distinction between the term “charities” and  “non-profits” even though here in the U.S, we use the two interchangeably.

From Wikipedia:

• A nonprofit organization (abbreviated as NPO, also known as a not-for-profit organization) is an organization that does not distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals.

• A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). The term is relatively general and can technically refer to a public charity (also called “charitable foundation,” “public foundation” or simply “foundation”) or a private foundation. It differs from other types of NPOs in that its focus is centered around goals of a general philanthropic nature (e.g. charitable, educational, religious, or other activities serving the public interest or common good).

While there are many nonprofit organizations (and many types) their activities merit a second look because the definition can be very broad.  Charities on the other hand are specific to social good.

Below is a comparison between non-profit and charities’ activities during times of crisis:

“The first two arrows point to the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina disasters. The other arrows point to the seasonal peaks in giving every year…there is a…stark comparison between the two terms during times of disaster.  The lesson is: Yes, you are a nonprofit but use the word charity if you’re the kind of nonprofit that is sought after during disasters.”

Although there are many good non-profits, charities may be the shinning example of selfless acts.

Remember, change or social good starts with individuals not organizations.

The Latino culture is all about family, friends, and close communities. Latinos that make the United States their home as well as those who are second or third generation Latinos maintain that strong sense of socialization. I always remember the times when I visit Puerto Rico, my grandfather would take me out to his neighborhood to run errands and everybody greets him wherever he goes, even stopping for awhile to talk about the latest gossip of what’s going on. What’s most important about communities is that it come in many levels, from small local neighborhoods to expansive national ones. This is where non-profit organizations comes.

Latino non-profit organizations here in the United States are like communities, they are created for the philanthropic purpose of helping Latinos within communities, both local and national in areas of education, employment, the arts, health and many more. What’s great about these non-profit organizations aimed at helping Latinos is that even those who have just arrived to the United States from Latin American countries have opportunities to be helped without the difficulty of both the language and culture barrier. The online business website HispanicBusiness has just came out with the top 25 non-profit organizations here in the United States that will take the time to help Latinos, individual and communities, in every part of their lives.

There are still more organizations out there, both local and national, so I managed to do some research and gathered a list from both Hispanic professionals and online research. I went ahead and posted the recognized national organizations below.

ACCION USA
Committed to bringing affordable small business loans to microentrepreneurs.
Aid for AIDS
Non-profit 501 organization committed to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.
American GI Forum
Providing employment training, employment, and counseling for Hispanic veterans in the Southwestern U.S.
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
The only national non-profit Hispanic organization dedicated exclusively to developing the educational and leadership capacity of Hispanic youth.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Hispanic non-profit leadership development organization to help increase opportunities for Hispanics to participate in and contribute to the American policy making process.
Cuban-American National Foundation
An independent, non-profit organization dedicated to a free and democratic Cuba.
Cuban-American National Council
A non-profit organization providing human services to persons in need from all racial and ethnic groups.
Hispanic College Fund
A non-profit that promotes students to explore and enter careers in business, science, technology, engineering and math.
Hispanic Federation
A service-oriented membership organization that works with over 90 Latino health and human services agencies to promote the social, political and economic well-being of the Latino community.
Hispanic National Bar Association
Serves as the national voice for the concerns and opinions of Hispanics in the community generally, and in the legal profession in particular.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
A national organization representing the interests of approximately 1.7 million Latino/a trade unionist throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Latin America Childcare
Latin America Childcare is dedicated to transforming the lives of needy children with the Good News of Jesus Christ through education and ministries of compassion.
Latino Gerontoligical Center
Latino Center on Aging is conducting an outreach project to help Spanish speaking elderly get critically needed Food Stamps.
Latino Issues Forum
A non-profit public policy and advocacy institute dedicated to advancing new and innovative public policy solutions for a better, more equitable, and prosperous society.
Latino Professional Network
Lends its support to a number of economic, community, philanthropic, educational, cultural, and political causes.
Latino Social Workers Organization
Focused on the recruitment and retention of Latinos in higher education and cultural competency.
LULAC
The mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.
Mexican American Community Services Agency, Inc.
It’s mission is to enrich the lives and to advance the interests of the Latino community of Santa Clara County, California.
MANA
A national community that empowers Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy.
Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund
Promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.
Mi Casa
Committed to its mission of advancing economic success and helping Latino and low-income families trade poverty for lasting economic stability.
Miss All-American Latina Scholarship Competition
This international competition welcomes delegates from countries around the world to compete for the title, cash scholarships, modeling contracts and more.
Mujeres Latinas en Accion
Empowers Latinas through providing services which reflect their values and culture and being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their lives.
NACME, Inc.
Service to underrepresented minority students in engineering through scholarships and support.
NALEO Educational Fund
Provides members and interested individuals with information about our community, enhancing the leadership skills of Latino elected and appointed officials, and policy information on political empowerment issues.
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
The premier science based organization focusing on Hispanic health.
National Association for Bilingual Education
Devoted to representing Bilingual learners and Bilingual education professionals.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Provide a forum for nurses to analyze and evaluate the health care needs of the Hispanic community.
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives
Promoting the senior executive service for Hispanics.
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry.
National Association of Hispanic Publications
A non-profit that further the excellence, recognition and usage of Hispanic publications by providing access to professional development opportunities to better serve and empower our Hispanic communities.
National Association of Latino Independent Producers
A national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latino/Latina independent producers.
National Community for Latino Leadership, Inc.
Developing leaders who are dedicated to promoting the social, cultural, and economic advancement of the Latino community.
National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc.
Dedicated to promoting the civic and cultural participation of Puerto Rican women and other Latinas in the economic, social and political life in the United States and Puerto Rico.
National Hispanic Council on Aging
The premier non-profit organization in the nation, advocating on behalf of Hispanic older adults.
National Council of La Raza
The largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States that works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.
National Hispana Leadership Institute
Calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Hispanic community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs.
National Hispanic Corporate Achievers
Served as the time and place for major corporations to gather and recognize the accomplishments of their top employees of Hispanic descent.
National Hispanic Corporate Council
Provides best in class solutions and foster professional networks by maximizing the Hispanic market opportunity among Fortune 1000 corporations.
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts
Offers graduate scholarships to Hispanic students at eight of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities; and
to expand career opportunities for existing talent in all aspects of entertainment and the performing arts.
National Hispanic Leadership Agenda
Calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Hispanic community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs.
National Hispanic Media Coalition
Believes that in order for the media to present a fair portrayal of the Latino community, that Latinos must be employed at all levels of the media with special emphasis on news anchor and policy making positions.
National Image Inc.
Committed to disseminating the most current information to the Hispanic community.
National Latino Peace Officers Association
Provides its members with training, promotional development and mentoring.
National Latino Research Center
Promote scientific and applied research, training, and the exchange of information that contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the rapidly growing U.S. Latino population.
The National Latino Communications Center
The largest single provider of grant funds to producers of Latino programs suitable for national public television broadcast- including works in drama, cultural affairs, public affairs, current affairs, documentaries and performance.
National Puerto Rican Coalition
It’s mission is to systematically strengthen and enhance the social, political, and economic well-being of Puerto Ricans throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico with a special focus on the most vulnerable.
National Puerto Rican Forum
Provides education, training, advocacy and information to prepare individuals for meaningful employment that pays a living wage and leads to self-sufficiency and dignity.
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
It exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development.
REFORMA
Actively promotes library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking.
SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
A non-profit organization that has addressed the needs of economically challenged individuals in education, job skills training, literacy and employment.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The source for quality Hispanic engineers and technical talent.
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Promotes business between the United States and Mexico.
White House Initiative on Hispanic Education
Works to enhance education awareness and access for Latino students and their families and improve academic achievement for all Hispanic Americans.

Without definition, one is left to be interpreted and thus defined by others.  More so, without definition one has no purpose and drifts to the will of the tides.

I’m going to briefly point out some things I have my sights on within the realm of social media.  I encourage you to do the same from time to time going forward.

In no special order here are some goals which have been set in motion and are continually honed:

• Give Latinos a pipeline to catapult their voices into the national conversation via social media.

• Engage influencers in multiple disciplines.

• Facilitate solidarity and communication within Latino community.

• Build Brand (Rebranded) “Me.”

• Communicate with like-minded people.

There’s much more to discuss for each point, but I’ve kept it brief for the sake of the blog and will pick up this discussion at another point in time.

If you have something you want to add, or think I’ve missed a critical point, please leave your thoughts in the comment section.

I’m also curious to know what YOUR purpose is?  Is it product or service awareness?  A grassroots endeavor?  Network with peers?  Keep abreast on the latest trends?  Become the next social media rockstar?

Social media and a national road tour are part of the plan to drum up interest. The campaign will stress the importance and secrecy of the count.

This shows the further use and maturity of social media.

(Not that I thought they would succeed, but this further strengthens my belief that those groups who wanted to ban the census will not win.)

People often ask me how I select people or pick teams.  Honestly, with social media so big that when I need help either via volunteers or partners I look to various social media portals by making an announcement of intent and asking if there’s any interest.

So, I haven’t hand picked any teams, but do pick certain portals and trust the power of social networks and individual’s self determination and ambition.

Twitter and LinkedIn  are two of the biggest channels I do this with.  Follow me on these channels if you are looking to get involved…or just drop a note.

For the second part of LATISM’s 3 Kings Day event, the networked reached 109% of a $1,000 goal.  LATISM pulled together through it’s organic network and talent along w/  BeingLatino to raise funds for UNICEF to distribute funds to Latin American children. The majority of the event happened online via a ‘TwitterParty’ in the span of 2 hours. v

The event still continues until the 4th, so if you want to still contribute you can do so by following the link.

To follow the event as it transpired, search the hashtag #latismtoydrive on twitter.

A huge thank you to @ergeekgoddess, @lancerios and all those who made it happen.

UPDATE 01/06/10 20:54 : The drive ended @ $1,362.  That’s a great stride given the small window of time we were working with.

In an error of Change, where people are once again thinking globally, here’s your chance to give back, now and always – once you start to care, you will never stop caring.

I truly believe that the world will change with the power of non-profit organizations, and humanitarianism.

So, If you’re a blogger, Latino/a (Hispanic/Xicano/Cuban/Boriqua/Taino…human and care about children), then post this widget (hit copy), on your blog or social media site (customizable here).

If you don’t do social media, then just give.

Latinos in Social Media and Being Latino presents:

Our 1ST ANNUAL THREE-KINGS DAY ONLINE TOY DRIVE & FUNDRAISER to benefit The Children’s Aid Society’s Latino Outreach Initiative
[http://www.childrensaidsociety.org] and the United Nations Children’s
Fund [UNICEF] [UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/]

January 6th, the traditional day for gift-giving in Latin American tradition, to bring joy to disadvantaged Latino children in the US and Latin America.

The Toy Drive & Fundraiser will have two levels:

1st Level: Thanks to generous donations from our sponsors Time To Play,
Ingenio and Discovery Toys we will be donating new unwrapped bilingual Educational toys to the Latino Outreach Center of the Children’s Aid Society, located in Washington Heights, New York City. The toys will be distributed to poor Latino children in the area.

2nd Level: We will be collecting donations from our growing online
networks. This monetary donation will benefit UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and be distributed through UNICEF to centers aiding disadvantaged children in Latin America.

LAUNCH DETAILS:
• WHAT: Live Twitter Party
• WHEN: December 30th 2009, 8pm – 10pm EST
• WHERE: Twitter (use hashtag #latismtoydrive or enter latismtoydrive in
TweetChat.com – you must have a Twitter account).

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Donate ONLINE through our Chipin/PayPal account (http://bit.ly/7B8yL0).
Donations accepted until January 3rd, 2010. Donations accepted until January 3rd, 2010.

• Make a toy donation by sending new, unwrapped toys to: The Children’s
Aid Society -105 East 22nd St. Please use codename: LATISMTOYDRIVE. Toy donations will be accepted until January 4th, 2010.

• Follow and Retweet our Toy Drive message using #latismtoydrive on Twitter

• Write about it on your blog

• Post up toydrive widgets on your blog (http://bit.ly/5urQXF) and social networks.

All Toy Drive, Donations totals and ceremony pictures will be posted on
our Latism.org and Being Latinos website on January 6, 2010.

We thanks our sponsors Time To Play, Ingenio and Discovery Toys for
their generous toy donations, and our social media community for their
support!!