Organization utilizes micro-giving concept to help change lives

Love Drop is a for profit organization that was founded early in 2011 that utilizes a unique micro-giving concept to assist different individuals and families in need each month. The organization was formed by Nate St. Pierre, founder of the ItStartsWith.Us movement in Milwaukee; and Washington D.C.-native J-Money, a financial expert who utilizes a pseudo-name for reasons associated with his profession.
“We met each other randomly at a luncheon at the Google headquarters,” St. Pierre said. “We got to talking and we realized we had many of the same passions about giving back but we weren’t sure how to do it on a large scale.”
In January, Love Drop helped out Jill and her three children in Chicago who lost everything in a fire and ended up being homeless for the second time in a row. Love drop awarded them $2500 and other donated goods and services. This month, Love Drop is trying to help a Milwaukee family receive a service dog for Ethan and Alex, two of their children who have been diagnosed as severely autistic.
“This month is a little different,” St. Pierre said. “We decided to turn it into a fundraiser to try to get this done for this family.”
Love Drop is going to donate all of the funds received from subscribers and gifts towards getting the service dog from Ohio-based organization 4-Paws for Ability.
“The dog will be trained to help provide much needed assistance for this family,” St. Pierre said. “In addition to being trained in companionship, the dog will help provide safety and protection for them. Alex, one of the boys, has a history of running away from the house in the middle of the night. They’ve tried alarm systems and locks and nothing has worked. The dog will be able to sleep in the same room with Alex and either keep him in bed or notify the parents immediately when he gets up in the middle of the night. Having this dog will literally change their life.”
The family needs $13,000 to pay for the dog, St. Pierre said.
“Right now we’re tracking around $7,000 already raised for the family, we need an additional $6,000 to make it happen.”
According to St. Pierre a few businesses have stepped up including First Edge Solutions in Milwaukee, 3D Molecular Design, Johnson Creek Original Smoke Juice, People Report and WalktheTalk.com.
Organizations including Hard Rock, Taco Bell, Chili’s, Cinnabon, and First Edge Solutions also donated items for an auction, St. Pierre said.
According to St. Pierre, the two attempted to start a traditional nonprofit, but found that the amount of paperwork and red tape didn’t allow them to make the direct impact they desired, he said.
“We wanted to design something that was fun and casual and would make a direct impact immediately,” St. Pierre said.
The two formed a for profit social enterprise that allows people to be a paid subscriber to Love Drop for any amount they want to give.
“We have people who pay $1 a month up to $150 dollars a month to be subscribed members,” St. Pierre said. “Subscribed members get to be on the team and have the ability to nominate someone they know or know of and have access to our forum and our community.”
Each month, half of whatever is earned that month through subscribers goes directly to the family or individual the group has chosen, St. Pierre said.
“It’s not a nonprofit so there is no tax deduction for our members, but when you are using the micro-giving concept in small increments that doesn’t really matter,” St. Pierre said. “Plus, our members get the direct benefit of knowing exactly where their funds are going.”
Love Drop documents each giving experience with video, he said.
“People are introduced to the individual or family on video, they get to know them and at the end of the month they get to see us award that person with whatever it is they need, with money the community helped raise,” St. Pierre said.
The donations will be given to each individual or family at the end of each month.
“Our biggest goal is to bring community together for the benefit of others,” St. Pierre said. “The money is the foundation of how we provide help in that it allows us to do what we do for people.”
“To view more about Ethan and Alex’s story watch the video clip below. To donate to the cause please visit www.lovedrop.us