Crowdfunding Site Catapult.org In Partnership With Chime For Change, Founded By Gucci, Funds 210 Projects in 81 Countries For Girls' and Women's Rights

 
New York, NY, July 16, 2013 – Catapult.org, a new, groundbreaking crowdfunding platform dedicated to justice for girls and women, turned the $3.9 million (after VAT) in funds raised by Gucci’s June 1 London benefit concert THE SOUND OF CHANGE LIVE into real impact for 84 organizations through an exclusive online giving partnership. Catapult connects people directly to on-the-ground organizations working to advance the lives of girls and women. The funds raised by THE SOUND OF CHANGE LIVE provided funding for 210 projects in 81 countries, and featured performances by Beyoncé, Florence + The Machine, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora, Timbaland, Jessie J and other artists.

The partnership between Catapult and CHIME FOR CHANGE marked the first time that benefit concert attendees could choose exactly where their money went, by using gift cards to direct their donations to individual projects on Catapult.org.

"Catapult helps people use the open democracy of the web to choose girls’ and women’s projects closest to their hearts, and 100% of their online donation goes directly to the projects." says Catapult founder Maz Kessler. "They can then track progress and stay involved in the results. This approach – participating in the solution – is key to a young and rising global citizenship movement."

CHIME FOR CHANGE brought musicians and celebrities to curate projects on Catapult, encouraging online donors and concert-goers to join them in crowdfunding causes about which they feel passionately. Curators include Beyonc?© Knowles-Carter, Salma Hayek Pinault, Frida Giannini, Olivia Wilde, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sarah Brown and Madonna.

Fully funded projects supported by curators:
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter supported scholarships to Camp SMART in Houston, TX. The project will allow girls 12-15 years old to attend a two-week summer camp that focuses on science, math and technology in her hometown, to encourage young women to pursue careers that currently have fewer females.
Frida Giannini supported ending sex trafficking with survivor stories. The yearlong online campaign will showcase stories of survivors of sex trafficking to raise awareness for the issue.

Salma Hayek Pinault supported free medical and psychological care for the thousands of women and children refugees in Qah, Syria.
Olivia Wilde supported free schools for girls in Kenya. The project will create tuition-free schools and afterschool wellness programs in an area where 43% of girls are out of school.
Catapult is a project of Women Deliver, a 501(c)(3) organization

Catapult
Catapult is the first crowd-funding platform solely dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women around the world. Catapult connects trusted organizations with a new global audience to increase funds and engagement. Organizations can post projects online, and donors can browse and fund the issues that speak to them most. Every dollar donated goes to the organization and donors receive reports about the project's progress. Catapult beta-launched on October 11, 2012, with the support of notable partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund for Women and the United Nations Population Fund. For more information go to www.catapult.org, and follow Catapult on Twitter: @wecatapult and Facebook at facebook.com/catapult.org. Catapult is a project of WOMEN DELIVER, a 501c(3) organization. Invest in girls and women. It pays!

CHIME FOR CHANGE
CHIME FOR CHANGE, founded by Gucci, is a global campaign to raise funds and awareness for girls' and women's empowerment. CHIME FOR CHANGE serves to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world, with a focus on three key areas: Education, Health and Justice. The CHIME FOR CHANGE campaign, launched in February 2013, presented its first major fundraising event, THE SOUND OF CHANGE LIVE, a global concert held on 1 June at London Ùs Twickenham Stadium. The concert brought together some of the world’s most talented artists and renowned activists to raise funds and awareness for girls and women. Broadcast in more than 150 countries globally reaching an audience of one billion viewers, the concert enabled people from around the world to support real change for girls and women.

Women Deliver
Women Deliver is a global advocacy organization bringing together voices from around the world to call for action to improve the health and well-being of girls and women. We work globally to generate political commitment and resource investments to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.