If you’ve got a little cash to spare, or you’re confident running a crowdfunding campaign, then what are you waiting for? Nothing’s more worthwhile than to use your dosh for good.
Here are a few ideas to start you off.
Click any of the images to see them at a larger size.
HAVE YOUR DAY IN COURT
Your government should serve you. If you believe they have gone so badly astray from this path that they are doing actual harm, there is recourse: you can take them to court.
Yes, it takes guts; it takes money too. But it may just save the world. In the US, for example, kids are suing the government over climate change.
Image by Amber Hsu
PAY WELL
Fair pay means giving employees a wage that covers a basic standard of living with some extra to account for unexpected costs or to go towards building a more secure future.
The Living Wage Foundation say: “In low paid sectors a vicious cycle of high levels of staff turnover and absenteeism can drive problems of operational inefficiency, low standards and weak productivity that hit the bottom line.”
If you employ staff, consider joining companies like Brewdog and Oliver Bonas which pay the real living wage. You’ll bring a piece of mind to your workforce. You’ll nurture happier, more engaged workers who’ll stick around. And you’ll reflect fair values back into your business
Image by Beth Dawson
GIVE MINDFULLY
Donate money to an organisation whose values you share. They’ll know exactly how your money can best be put to work.
Image by Dave McKean
GO LARGE
Billboards aren’t just for the big multinationals: anyone can display their message in ten foot high lettering above a busy street, if they’re willing to pay for it (and provided that message is legal!).
Or why not send your words all over town, on the side of a bus, like Stonewall did? Crowdfunding could help you raise the money.
Image by Hunt Emerson
BREAK THE CARTELS
London People’s Energy are campaigning for a publicly-owned energy company: “We want a new public company that cuts bills and cuts polluting carbon emissions. A non-profit company with social justice, clean energy and democracy at its core.”
You can do the same — and not just with energy, either. How about truly public transport, banks, or mobile phones for the people?
Image by Kirsty Hunter
PLANT RADICAL ROOTS
Start a community gardening project where everyone reaps what you sow together.
You’re growing cheap, healthy food, and at the same time, creating friendships, getting fresh air and exercise, improving mental health, and reducing the amount of fruit and veg that needs to travel half way round the world.
Image by Zara Slattery
BROADCAST
Radio and podcasts are a great way to get your message across — right into people’s ears!
It’s one of the most direct, and intimate forms of media.
Is there a community radio station near you, and would they accept, for example, a programme full of refugee voices? In Brighton UK, RadioReverb does just that, hosting Refugee Radio.
No stations in operation? Time to set up your own. Why not?
Image by Michi Mathias
SUPPORT A FAMILY
Could you help a family who are new to your country?
In the UK, groups can become ‘Community Sponsors’: “you will be allocated a family fleeing conflict, and it will be your responsibility to support the resettled family from the moment of arrival in the UK.”
Other countries have similar schemes — check your local council or national government website for details.
Image by Karen Rubins
All artwork on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
HAVE YOUR DAY IN COURT
Your government should serve you. If you believe they have gone so badly astray from this path that they are doing actual harm, there is recourse: you can take them to court.
Yes, it takes guts; it takes money too. But it may just save the world. In the US, for example, kids are suing the government over climate change.
Image by Amber Hsu
PAY WELL
Fair pay means giving employees a wage that covers a basic standard of living with some extra to account for unexpected costs or to go towards building a more secure future.
The Living Wage Foundation say: “In low paid sectors a vicious cycle of high levels of staff turnover and absenteeism can drive problems of operational inefficiency, low standards and weak productivity that hit the bottom line.”
If you employ staff, consider joining companies like Brewdog and Oliver Bonas which pay the real living wage. You’ll bring a piece of mind to your workforce. You’ll nurture happier, more engaged workers who’ll stick around. And you’ll reflect fair values back into your business
Image by Beth Dawson
GIVE MINDFULLY
Donate money to an organisation whose values you share. They’ll know exactly how your money can best be put to work.
Image by Dave McKean
GO LARGE
Billboards aren’t just for the big multinationals: anyone can display their message in ten foot high lettering above a busy street, if they’re willing to pay for it (and provided that message is legal!).
Or why not send your words all over town, on the side of a bus, like Stonewall did? Crowdfunding could help you raise the money.
Image by Hunt Emerson
Draw The Line 