For the first time ever, Mount Desert Island Hospital is enlisting the latest technology of crowdfunding, using social media to target online donations. As an incentive, a donor has pledged to match up to $15,000 in donations through this new platform. “Using this technology is not only a faster way to give but it also allows anyone in the community to help with the greater good,” said Bill Swain, public affairs officer for MDI Hospital.
The hospital links to the giving site on their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. They also are doing an email marketing campaign around the effort. The short donation form, ability to share on social media sites and ability to leave comments makes this both a dynamic and easy way to support the hospital. “We believe a lot of our new donors are more accustomed to this streamlined, online format” said Lani Naihe, MDI Hospital’s director of advancement. “For over 100 years, the community has supported MDI Hospital, and we now we can use technology to stay connected and reach a larger number of our constituents.”
Mida Ballard, a donor on the site, relates her story: “In June of 2009, I literally broke my foot off! Being a self employed carpenter, I had no way to earn money for quite a while. I can afford a ten dollar donation to symbolize my profound gratitude for the excellent health care and financial assistance I received at MDI Hospital. I encourage you to donate to MDI Hospital as generously as you can. You can make a difference!!” To donate, click on the donate button at wwww.mdihospital.org, www.facebook.com/ mdihospital, or www.twitter.com/mdihospital.