Boston Television Viewers Support Their Neighbours Through a New Web Channel

WCVB-TV Channel 5 Offers Unique Online Hub for Giving

Boston — ‘Twas the season for giving and WCVB-TV Channel 5 and CharityAmerica.com created a unique online "Hub" for viewers who were looking for a way to help those less fortunate. Combining the power of television and the Internet, WCVB and CharityAmerica.com —the national technology resource for nonprofits and their supporters — launched a unique, online giving community dubbed "CommonWealth 5." As the first venture of its kind, CommonWealth 5 is an extensive online resource designed to connect volunteers and benefactors with Boston-area non-profits.

In keeping with the national trend of increased "online giving," WCVB and CharityAmerica.com launched "CommonWealth 5" to assist viewers in matching their interest in donating money, goods or time with local organizations who need that form of assistance. Interested donors can log on to Channel 5’s web site TheBostonChannel.com and click on "CommonWealth 5" for more information on agencies that need their help. The site features more than 50 organizations with profiles, links to individual web sites and up-to-date donation requests. Users can scan the list to learn more about a particular organization and offer donations of items including tickets to a performance or sporting event, services, musical

instruments or even a baseball card collection!

Encouraged by televised public service announcements, WCVB viewers flocked to CommonWealth 5 in December to post their offerings of time, talents or items. Dozens of interested nonprofit organizations responded by e-mail leading to many "matches" of donor goods and services with an established need. The technology-driven matching system gives the donor control, establishing delivery deadlines upfront and giving the donor the authority to decide which organization will receive the gift. 

"The opportunities for charitable giving using Web technology are endless," said Leemarie Mosca, director of development at the Italian Home For Children, a CommonWealth 5 nonprofit member. "It's been amazing, through CommonWealth 5, we've been able to recruit volunteers, accept donations and build significant relationships with donors." 

As a result of the WCVB's televised campaign over the holiday season, hundreds of donation offers were made via CommonWealth 5 resulting in gifts of toys, office equipment, clothing, food, automobiles, books, furniture and more. In addition to the Italian Home For Children, some of the charities that have already benefited include Project Parents, Cambridge Cares About AIDS, the Salvation Army, Special Olympics Massachusetts and the Walker Home and School.

As a full-service online giving hub, Commonwealth 5 offers many services as a complement to the donation technology. The site generates exposure for nonprofits by profiling their missions, needs, financial/fundraising/contact information, as well as providing philanthropy-related stories, updates and lists events hosted by the nonprofit organizations and supported by WCVB’s on-air personalities. 

For more information regarding the CommonWealth 5 online giving community, contact Karen Kiefer at 508-903-4123 and Caroline Waddel at 781-433-4771.