Wednesday January 25, 2012 at 9:54

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“No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.”

— President Barack Obama, 2012 State of the Union Address

Thursday January 19, 2012 at 15:49

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Seeking Positive Investments? Look No Further!

In a five year study that involved 110 nonprofit organizations, The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) discovered that for every $1 donated towards advocacy & civic engagement there was a $115 return in benefits. That is, benefits for the marginalized populations that the organizations serve. On a large scale the impact of these findings is huge; in fact, it affirms our mantra and namesake: SmallCanBeBig. What does it show us on a smaller scale? 

When you and your friends donate $1, $5, or $20 towards a specific need, you begin a ripple effect of positive return in benefits. As the needs are met, families are benefited by regaining surer footing on more stable ground. It means their community benefits from a single-mom who is able to return to work, a child who does well in school. It means the state benefits by saving money on funding another stay in a hotel. For you, it means you have given value that goes beyond the dollar donation you made. 

In other words from our perspective, whether on a large scale or small scale - there is only one direction a small donation can go: BIG! 

Tuesday January 17, 2012 at 15:13

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Your favorite barista? Yep, she’s listening

In a study released today, Facebook revealed just how influential our social network really is, in ways we might not expect. The study included 253 million Facebook users & experimented with how URL’s were either shared or not shared through the News Feed feature of the social media giant. Not only was the pure magnitude of the study groundbreaking, but its conclusions were equally BIG. 

Information and hyperlinks we take in from our “loose ties,” or acquaintances, (which make up the bulk of our personal social networks) are the pieces of information that are most novel to our own personal world view. As Slate reporter Farhad Manjoo describes, “When considered in aggregate, our weak ties—with their access to novel information—are the most influential people in our networks. Even though we’re more likely to share any one thing posted by a close friend, we have so many more mere acquaintances posting stuff that our close friends are all but drowned out.”

For us here at SCBB it means something we’ve had a hunch about for a little while now: when harnessed, social networks have the influence and capacity to change lives. When you share a family story with your own network, retweet@SmallCanBeBig, or like a Facebook update on our page, you have the power to introduce change. Start sharing. Together, we’re doing something BIG!  

Tuesday January 17, 2012 at 15:00

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curiositycounts: The new American marriage, in an infographic, based on ongoing Pew research into the rise of the new family.

curiositycounts:

The new American marriage, in an infographic, based on ongoing Pew research into the rise of the new family.

This post was reblogged from curiosity counts.

Monday January 16, 2012 at 9:31

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So, What Are You Doing?

It’s MLK Jr. Day! Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work in civil rights. The leadership he inspired and the changes led by this one man is a testimony to the impact small changes can have. King’s legacy began with one man’s dream. It began with one man’s belief in equality. It is with this same conviction that we continue to bring big changes for families facing homelessness. We believe that every family deserves an equal chance towards a sustainable future. And that every child has the right to a safe home. It is the success of leaders such as MLK Jr. that gives us the energy to continue our work. So whether you are spending the day volunteering in your community or at work, we will leave you with a small question that has brought about big changes: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?”” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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