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MandM Direct
We exist to empower nonprofits to do their world-changing work. Unfortunately, that's harder to do than it should be, because the way we think about charity is broken. Charities are commonly frowned upon for investing in ways to raise awareness—it’s almost like they’re not “allowed” to market themselves the way for-profit companies do. Traditionally, they are forced to rely on time-intensive galas, expensive dinners and black-tie auctions to raise large sums of money from a limited donor base. However, these events are usually only once or twice a year, pricey to organize and accessible only to those who can afford it. So the charity’s ongoing fundraising needs are often not met. Think there’s a better way? So do we!
Because of generosity from people like you, Omaze’s work and the services we provide are challenging conventional thinking around fundraising—and working to change it for the better.
Our model democratizes traditional auction-giving by offering everyone the chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Through the Omaze platform, people from more than 180 countries have made donations that support over 350 charities, driving substantial levels of awareness for their work, and significantly more money than traditional methods.
In order to maximize impact for the causes we support, we provide a full suite of turnkey services focused on storytelling and removing the friction from fundraising. Our marketing team is behind all those Instagram ads you see, our tech team built this website you’re on, our customer experience team handles requests from around the world, Charities Aid Foundation America gets your money to the cause you supported, and so much more.
Where Your Money Goes
When you contribute $10 for the chance to win a celebrity experience (set visit, dinner date, tickets to a premiere, etc.), $6 is donated to charity, $2.50 on average goes towards marketing expenses and credit card fees, and Omaze nets the remaining $1.50. A $10 contribution for the chance to win a prize-based experience (like a car, vacation or tuition) breaks down as follows: $1.50 is donated to charity; $7 typically goes to sourcing and shipping the prize, covering the winner’s taxes, marketing the experience, and processing credit card fees; and $1.50 goes to Omaze.
It’s an investment, but it pays off. Our for-profit model enables us to expand our services far beyond what’s usually done in the nonprofit space, and therefore increase the total dollars raised for our partners. That’s why we look at charities and their funds a little differently—we maximize the total amount raised, not just the percentage that goes to the organization. And how do we amplify the raise? By investing money in services that will expand the reach of the campaign, and therefore the number of donors.
Our charity partners work tirelessly to create real change in the world. And because our mission is to serve world changers (the charities and you!) we decided to do things differently than most. Every Omaze campaign is self-funded and requires no budget from our partners, which is why we optimize our work to raise the biggest total possible—and therefore make the most impact.
Here’s a little backstory. Omaze started as an idea that our co-founders, Matt and Ryan, had after they didn’t win a dream experience. They were at a benefit for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, hosted by their idol: Magic Johnson. Magic was auctioning off the chance to get dinner with him and sit courtside at a Laker game, which was, to these superfans, the most awesome prize ever. As the auction started and the bidding quickly hit $15,000, our two broke, collegiate heroes stood no chance.