Government shutdown ignites mustachioed social media competition

Causes has been closely following how the government shutdown in Minnesota has affected state sponsored nonprofits. We were thrilled to discover that the Conservation Corps created an innovative project/contest on Causes. After seeing their project we asked Carissa Butler, Recruitment Coordinator at the Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, to write this guest blog post. 

Around the Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa offices the last few weeks, the mood has been decidedly glum. The 20-day government shutdown of state services has dealt a significant blow to many nonprofits. As a form of protest against the government shutdown, the burly men of the Conservation Corps office decided to pare down their beards to stick-it-to-the-man mustaches. We decided to channel the renewed energy around the office into a fundraising project. And thus the ‘Sponsor a Stache, Save the Corps!’ campaign was born.

Fighting a government shutdown with social media  

To raise team morale, mobilize our supporters with some friendly competition, and raise donations for Conservation Corps we decided to pit mustache against mustache. By donating to the project each supporter can purchase a vote to use in our Best Stache competition; the more you donate the more votes you get. 12 hours after we thought up the idea for our fundraising project, we had raised $1300. Because who can really deny the power of the stache?

The Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa provides job skills for young people in conserving energy, managing natural resources, responding to disasters and leading volunteers.  Donations made to our campaign will help to ensure that in the wake of the shutdown, the quality of our programs is not compromised.  Even if you can’t donate, please join our cause!  Come say hello, participate in our cause community, and share a picture of your favorite stache!