Who are we?

Team Charity is a young professional philanthropic group created in April 2007, now in the process of securing our 501©3 status.  Our mission is to advance philanthropic efforts by motivating young professionals through opportunities relevant and easily accessible for their generations

How did we start?

Having previously worked at separate non-profit organizations, co-founders Nicole Fulmino and Maria Cruz met while working at a non-profit consultant firm.  They often commiserated about how poorly represented their generation was in the non-profit sector. 

Fulmino, having a form of Muscular Dystrophy herself, was asked to lead a team at the annual MDA Stride and Ride.  While coming up with fundraising ideas, it occurred to her that there should be an organization that is geared toward young professionals focused strictly on volunteering and philanthropy.  She went to Maria with the thought and together they formed Team Charity.

What do we primarily do and why is it needed?

Currently, there are two different kinds of activities: volunteer opportunities and social fundraising events. 

Team Charity supports volunteer events coordinated by other organizations that are one-time commitments.  We understand that the hectic schedules of young professionals often deter them from volunteering.  They are afraid once they sign up for something they are locked in and they don’t want renege on a commitment, so they simply avoid the whole experience. Our vision is that these smaller commitments will let young professionals try out a number of different experiences in different organizations, and perhaps make a connection that they are willing to make a longer commitment later on in life.

Another obstacle with volunteering is that often, the message is not geared or does not reach young professionals.  The same people who volunteered in high school or college because an activity was listed on the bulletin board are now being missed.  According to the 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, people in their twenties are reported as the least likely to volunteer.  Team Charity tries to combat this by advertising their activities in several young professional friendly mediums.  We have our own website, a blog on NJ.com, a myspace page, a facebook group, and we often list on craigslist and idealist.  Team Charity Board Members are often at networking events trying to get the word out face to face as well.  Our email list is closing in on 600 people.

The second activity is coordinating social fundraising events.  While this is not unique to the average non-profit, the type of fundraiser is.  Non-profits often have galas, golf outings or silent auctions where the price tag is hundreds of dollars.  Not something your average young professional, who is paying off college loans, saving up for home and paying his or her bills can afford.  So, we scale it down.  With the knowledge that a popular pastime amongst young professionals is unwinding at a bar or lounge on the weekend, We team up with local hot spots and offers happy hours or open bars for an average price of $25-$45.  Team Charity then takes the money raised and gives it to its current designee.  Team Charity picks one non-profit designee every quarter and holds 3 fundraisers in their name, living up to their slogan, “A serious cause…a serious good time.”

Where are we located?

Team Charity’s events currently spread throughout central NJ, northern NJ and Manhattan.

What makes us unique?

Team Charity’s goal is not to raise the most money that any non-profit ever raised, nor is it to have the biggest bank of volunteers ever in existence.  It is simply to motivate young professionals to be involved in philanthropy and volunteering.  Giving money to wonderful organizations is a wonderful bonus, but waking up a generation of talented and caring individuals is the heart of Team Charity.

What are our future goals?

Once we obtain our 501c3 status, we would like to start some programming of our own.  We would like to focus on mentoring future generations to stay involved in the non-profit arena.

Why do we do this?

To quote and then contradict singer John Mayer, “One day our generation, is gonna rule the population,” so we’re NOT waiting for the world to change.  We are changing it.

What can I do?

Visit www.teamcharity.org to check out upcoming events!  Email us teamcharity@gmail.com for more information.