Members Project by American Express

Now in its second year, Members Project is your chance to join a community that's passionate about making a positive change in the world. You can submit your own ideas for projects. Then  American Express members vote on which projects get $2.5 million in American Express® funding. The possibilities are endless. The decision is yours. Last year, the winning project received $2 million in funding from American Express. The project was to bring clean drinking water to millions of children across the developing world.

American Express is looking for projects that will make a difference. Think about what inspires you -- whether you want to make a difference in your neighborhood or across the globe. Submit a project in the following categories: Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Environment & Wildlife, and Health. The project should address a specific problem or issue, be achievable, innovative, and have a positive impact that touches the lives of people in a significant way.

Submit projects from July 22 - August 19, 2008. During this time, sign in at membersproject.com and click on the "Submit a Project" button in the upper right corner. Then, follow the simple submission steps. You will receive an e-mail if your project is approved. If your project is rejected, you can revise and resubmit it.

Then you can discuss the projects and campaign for your favorites. There are many ways to promote a project, and you can find several promotion ideas on membersproject.com. For instance, you can send an e-mail to friends, family, and colleagues. If you have a website, blog, or belong to another social network site, such as Facebook or MySpace, there are other options. Consider posting a widget that directs friends and family to membersproject.com to support your favorite project. For more information on spreading the word, click here.

Awards:

• $1,500,000 for the winning project
• $500,000 for the 2nd place project
• $300,000 for the 3rd place project
• $100,000 each for the two remaining finalist projects

09/09/08 Update:  Top 25 selected including:

Here are a few of the submitted projects that mention social entrepreneurship and agents of change:
Off-Grid Solutions Housing
100,000 Young Green Entrepreneurs by 2010 Microfinance & Economic Development
CONNECT “ROCK STARS” OF CHANGE TO FANS WORLDWIDE TV, Film & Multimedia
Change Agents: Emerging Market Business Fellows, Microfinance & Economic Development
PEPY, Achievement Gap
Science for Indigenous Children, Science & Technology

And some of the ideas addressing urgent threats:
climate Carbon Recycling, Marine Conservation & Awareness- Pacific Solo Row, Affordable Solar: Ending the Upfront Cost, “Tinawon” Rice to Save Ifugao Rice Terraces, PI, Palm Out Poverty
pandemics Hanya Mozambique, Malaria Prevention for Refugees in Thailand
water issues Water Is Life. Pass It On., Solar Water Disinfecting Tarpaulin = Clean Water,  Atmospheric Water Generator for Africa, Clean Water - Life's Lifeline, Protecting sources of water in Central America, Safe water world wide, Bottom of the Pyramid - The Poor of Egypt, and many more
middle east peace International Peace Camp for Young Leaders
human rights Stop the traffic! (human trafficking)