Jumo, the recently released Social Networking site specifically geared towards social non-profit organizations, is as much concerned about the organizations as it is the user who supports them. Former Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes has designed the site to “let users find, follow and support the causes important to them”, and with 3,500 organizations already within the system, this goal seems to be in reach. It’s no surprise that the site is considerably similar to Facebook (simple, easy, user-friendly); with users able to “like” social causes and issues, quickly spreading the word to their own personal Facebook network.
Hughes has also expressed his underlying desire to promote the important idea of “year-round-good-doing”, instead of limiting that helpful, generous spirit to the holiday season. Jumo very well could be a successful platform for legitimate, worthwhile organizations to expose their cause, plan solutions, and connect all who are and wish to become involved.
Sign up is accomplished through Jumo.com, and a personal Facebook account is required to begin (since the two networks work through one another). A first-time viewer on the Jumo site (before registering or clicking anything) is immediately exposed to a preview of the site focus with headings, “Spotlight”, “Top Projects” and “Top Issues”. Users can select topics like HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer or Clean Drinking Water (as examples) under “Spotlight” and be directly linked to the topic’s page. This page is then complete with the ability to “like” and/or follow the page, or follow all specific projects related to the page. Users can also read up on major statistics, articles and comments, and begin posting their own. “Top Issues” are broad concerns such as “Climate Change” or “Disaster Relief” that serve as an umbrella for specific “Top Projects” (foundations, small companies) relating to those issues. Instantly, all proponents of the cause are interconnected, bringing different informational resources to the table. A positive correlational relationship grows: the more organizations the user becomes connected to, the more he/she is exposed to other related issues that might be of interest. To help the user navigate and compartmentalize, the site compiles a Facebook-esque “newsfeed” with important updates regarding their supported social causes. Generally, Jumo allows users to pull the strings behind the cause - allowing the community to be background support and the cause to be at the forefront.
The non-profit organizations we work with may be able to greatly benefit from the new Jumo network; having already benefitted from social media sites like Twitter, iLike and of course, Facebook. Jumo strives to unite various social networking mediums to simultaneously connect and spread the issues across a simple, accessible platform. Much like how Facebook has proven to be a critical element to any music artist’s success, Jumo could be the next efficient mecca for all social enthusiasts to support non-profits. Through this gained exposure for the organizations and individual compilation of ideas, information, and resources, taking action may become much more tangible. Non-profits would presumably be able to step back and witness the change occur through an instant increased public awareness and user accessibility.
Check out Jumo for yourself at: http://www.jumo.com/
