50 for 50 Day 47: Paradigm Project

It’s my 50th Birthday Celebration, Day 47. I had this bright birthday idea – because I feel so lucky and have pretty much everything I could ever need, I am asking people to get involved with charities, if they are so inspired, in lieu of any fabulous birthday presents you were planning on sending me (or not).

I am featuring a different charity every day for 50 days leading up to my 50th birthday to give you plenty of chances to get involved. I started on May 18. I wanted to give a voice to different good works around the globe. If you ARE inspired to take action, please leave me a comment and let me know that you did. This is all I want for my birthday – to spread some love and kindness. One thousand thanks.

I love the simple idea behind the Paradigm Project and how well they quantify their results. Their simple idea? Stoves for people who cook over wood fires. This helps people and the environment.

Check out their beautifully illustrated intro to their work. They have a unique model in that they sell the carbon offsets created by this business to continue financing their work.

From their website:
We align ourselves with local business partners and global relief and development organizations that have a significant presence and a long history of success working in the developing world. We then work with these partners to identify and develop scalable emissions reduction project opportunities that drive economic, environmental and social value into the communities they serve. We handle all carbon asset development activities and work closely with our partners to build market-based supply chains that involve CBOs (Community Based Organizations) and other local stakeholders in the distribution and sale of Rocket Stoves.

$40 buys a stove. Here’s how to donate.

Previously featured organizations:
ONE
Lupus Foundation of America
Scholarship America
Media Matters for America
Boys and Girls Club
Your Local Food Bank
Girls for a Change
Operation Smile
Wheels for Humanity
National Security Archive
Books for Africa
Seed Savers Exchange
MAP International
The Fresh Air Fund
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Arghand
Impact Personal Safety
Kristin Brooks Hope Center
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
Light Up the World Foundation
Planned Parenthood
Doctors Without Borders
Heifer International
Team Rubicon
Kiva
The Carter Center
Bikes Not Bombs
Friends of Maddie
ProPublica
Surfrider Foundation
Livestrong
United Through Reading
Operation Shower
The Liz Logelin Foundation
KidSave
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Kids Vs Global Warming
Help a Mother Out
Direct Relief International
WriteGirl
Accelerated Cure for Multiple Sclerosis
Women for Women
Epic Change
Amnesty International