by JQ Adams

Created on: January 24, 2009

As Microsoft cleverly labeled their new program, "I'm making a difference", allows people to support one of their favorite causes simply by using their Windows Live Messenger (IM) program.
Basically, Microsoft is donating a portion of ad-revenue with the social cause of your choice. It doesn't require you to pay anything; and you don't even have to change the way you chat with your instant messenger. In order to help, you simply select from one of the social causes that are part of the program and get their unique text code. Once you enter the text code into the display name of your messenger, you will automatically be contributing to the program each time you have a conversation in IM. Every ad you see in the IM window contributes to your selected cause and you don't have to do anything more!

Each of the advertisers are required to pay a minimum of $100,000 as participants of this program- and there is no maximum.
Right now, there are 10 social causes you can choose to give your portion of donation earnings to, including:

American Red Cross

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

National Aids Fund

The Humane Society

Ninemillion.org

National MS Society

Sierra Club

Unicef

StopGlobalWarming.org

Susan G. Komen For the Cure
You have the option to take your involvement a step further than just "i'm Making a Difference" instant messenging, by creating buttons, banners or wallpapers with the tools MSN provides. You can put them on your website and in emails if you want to let people know about the causes you believe in and support using your instant messenger.
For people who like to interact with other like-minded people who support similar causes, you can join the "stay connected" community. Here you have the option of creating a "Muggins"(tm), which is a cute little avatar that represents you in the message board- a place they refer to as the Community Corkboard. For people who like to interact with other like-minded people who support similar causes, you can join the "stay connected" community. Here you have the option of creating a "Muggins"(tm), which is a cute little avatar that represents you in the message board- a place they refer to as the Community Corkboard.
Think the amount donated through a program like this doesn't add up to much? Think again. Since March of 2007, the "i'm Making a Difference Program" has raised $779,476.63 towards the causes. You can check the amount raised at any time by visiting: http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/Default.aspx

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