The idea for Random Acts of Kindness was born from two separate occasions in my life.

The first was during a time when I was trying to pull together $1,000 for a business venture that could have completely changed the game for me. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to come up with all of it in time and it made me realize something: while $1,000 might not seem like much to some people, it is literally a life-changing amount to others.

I promised myself that one day I would take 100 envelopes with $1000 in each one and I would hand them out to 100 random, unsuspecting people who looked like they could use a little financial miracle.

Why? … Why not?

Whether they spend it, lose it, or use it, that money gives them an opportunity they may never have had otherwise.

The second occasion, and the one that really gave birth to the fundraiser idea baby, was when I stopped to talk to a man holding a sign that read “Anything helps." I suggested he try offering a joke or a fun fact in exchange for a dollar or two. Maybe he would have better success. People would be getting something in return for the money they gave, so they wouldn’t feel like they were just handing him money for nothing, plus most people would recognize and appreciate the extra effort. In turn they may be more inclined to pass the man some dollars.

At the very least, even if he ended the day with the same amount of money as usual, he would have made some people smile. A win/win situation.

But he didn’t think much of the idea, he grunted and his attention went back to holding his well-worn sign. On the other hand, I thought it was a great idea! And that’s when it all came together for me.

I decided to start a movement that would incorporate both of those moments. For a donation of just one dollar (or whatever amount someone is comfortable giving), donors will receive a few jokes and a few fun facts. A few smiles and some knowledge in exchange for a buck or two. 

That brings up the age old question: how much do we, as a society, really value our happiness and our education? These days it’s hard to find anything for a dollar, let alone something that actually has value to it. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn't spend a dollar to smile and further educate themselves. And, even if you’ve heard the joke or already knew the fact… a smile is a smile.

That in itself is worth a dollar, and that's not even the best part.

My goal is $1,000,000.
Yes — a million-dollar giveaway.

It might sound like a lot, or like it would take forever to raise that amount of money one dollar at a time. But lets remember not to complicate things. This page just needs to be seen by one million people who are willing to donate $1 each. Simple.

If you earned $1 every second, you would have $1 million in only 11 days. Fact.

A single video on YouTube received 108 million views in just 24 hours. Fact.

Now, I don’t expect a dollar every second, nor do I expect this page to be seen by over 100 million people in a day. But I do believe that within a year, maybe 6 months, or even less, this fundraiser can reach enough people who want to help other people help people for the goal to be met.

When that happens…$1000 will fill 100 different envelopes and will be randomly handed out to those unsuspecting people I mentioned. 

The rest will be awarded as grants of $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000 to selected applicants.

Grant applications will open once the goal is met. Applicants will be selected by their explanation as to how they will use the money to improve their own personal experience of life while at the same time touching the lives of as many other people as they can. They will have a definite vision and a definite plan to carry out that vision. 

People helping people help people. Powerful stuff.

Each envelope that is handed out will be candidly filmed, and will all be compiled into one video that will be shared here on the website. There will be follow-up with each grant winner at 6 months and again at 1 year to see whether they were able to accomplish what they had hoped for — and, if so, what kind of impact they were able to make.

And if they didn’t? That’s okay too. The intention, the effort, and the energy created through this fundraiser will already be sending ripples out into the world. Hopefully, each person tries again. Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before he succeeded with the light bulb.
Failure is simply another opportunity to succeed. It’s only defeat if you let it defeat you.

All updates will be posted here on the website for anyone who wants to follow the journey and hear the stories.

Please, share this with everyone you know. Everyone. ;) I do not have social media, I never have. Sharing this fundraiser is equally as important if not more important than making a donation. 

For those of you who are wondering where/how you will receive the jokes and facts in exchange for your donation? You will get them on the donation page. I hope they bring a smile to your face and give you something new to ponder. And....