For this week’s episode of “Bend Don’t Break” we spoke with Rys Fairbrother of What If We Could, and Aaron Switzer, the Source Weekly’s publisher and founder of Central Oregon Gives. Both Switzer and Fairbrother have been working to help nonprofits for years through sponsorships, marketing and storytelling. The Central Oregon Gives program combines all three strategies within a simple digital platform that connects local nonprofits with new potential donors with the help of small businesses. Each time someone makes a donation, they receive a “perk” or free prize like a beer or a cup of coffee. Last year, the program raised over half a million dollars for 72 local organizations ranging from children’s advocacy groups to environmental watch dogs.
