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Frequently Asked Questions
+ What does Do Something do?
+ How do you know what Do Something's programs really do foster youth leadership, citizenship, and character?
+ I'm ready to Do Something! How can I get involved?
+ Do I need to have a mentor or teacher involved?
+ Who is Do Something?
+ Is Do Something a political organization?
+ Is Do Something a religious organization?
+ Do you guys pay the celebrities on your site?
+ I've seen your ads on ChannelOne, do you guys pay for that space?
+ Does Do Something offer internships?
+ Would you guys ever work with a tobacco company?
+ How does Do Something choose strategic partners?
+ How can you/I help Do Something?
+ Does Do Something give scholarships for school?
+ How does Do Something come up with such great community action ideas?
+ What are the BRICK Awards?
+ Who is eligible for the BRICK Awards?
+ How do I apply for a BRICK Award?
+ I notice that your staff member George is really cute. Is he single?
What does Do Something do?
Do Something is a not-for-profit internet company that believes young people have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Listen up, speak out, and take action.
How do you know that Do Something's programs really do foster youth leadership, citizenship, and character?
In past years, Do Something has contracted Brandeis University's Center for Youth and Communities to conduct an independent evaluation of our program impact. Educators assess their students' growth on leadership, citizenship, and character skills alongside academic skill development through assessment tools provided by Do Something. The results were collected and analyzed by Brandeis University and document our impact: Do Something leads to powerful outcomes for young people.
91% say Do Something increases self-confidence,
61% say Do Something increases students' academic performance and reduces school discipline problems,
87% say Do Something increases student and staff morale,
77% say Do Something increases parental and community involvement at school
I'm ready to Do Something! How can I get involved?
There are oodles of ways you can do something! You can volunteer with existing programs by entering your zip code and finding something near you right now. You can get involved with a club at your school or, if your school doesn't have a Do Something Club, you can create one! You can choose a cause that matters to you and do something to change it! Or, you can inspire other people by being an active voice on our message boards.
Do I need to have a mentor or teacher involved?
Do Something never requires old people; however, that doesn't mean that we don't like old people. Sometimes, they can be really helpful. Old people have great ideas and experience and access to all sorts of resources. They can give great advice and encouragement too. So we're cool with you bringing in old people to your project, we just don't require you to do it.
Who is Do Something?
We're you. No, really. Our programs and impact are only as strong and effective as the people on this site who are speaking out and taking action. Sure, as an organization we have a staff, a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board, sponsors, the Youth Advisory Council, and strategic partners. (You can read about all of these on About Us.) But really, if you look at our site-at the profiles and projects, at the message boards, and other sections-we're YOU.
Is Do Something a political organization?
Nope. We are not affiliated with any political party. We don't get involved with political candidates. (Although, we all vote as individuals on Election Day because it is our right to vote!)
Is Do Something a religious organization?
Nope. We think it is cool when people are inspired by their religion to take community action, but we also think atheists are cool. Basically, we love all people who wanna make the world a better place. And, we think this diversity is something we should celebrate.
Do you guys pay the celebrities on your site?
No way! All the celebrities who work with Do Something, do it for free.
I've seen your ads on ChannelOne, do you guys pay for that space?
Nope. ChannelOne is really good to us. They give us free space to promote our "cause of the month." A lot of people find out about us from those Public Service Announcements. We're really lucky that they are so generous to us.
Does Do Something offer internships?
Oh yeah! We loooove interns! We have tons of positions here during the school year as well as a formal intern program during the Summer. We offer paid college internships and unpaid high school internships. We are a super-fun work environment and you'll learn a ton with us. We're based in New York City, so most of our interns during the school year are from around here, but we love interns from all over! Especially during the Summer! Check out our hot internships here!
Would you guys ever work with a tobacco company?
No way! Yuck! Do Something has an anti-tobacco company. We think smoking stinks ... literally. Plus, it is illegal in most states for young people to purchase cigarettes, so we're not going to help promote the product to young people! Frankly, it sort of baffles us when we see charities accept money from tobacco companies. We're also proud to say that we're a 100% non-smoking office-none of our employees smoke tobacco. (Which means we all smell very nice ... don't you hate it when someone you know smokes and then you sit next to them and their hair and breathe stinks? Yuck.) You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway: we also have an alcohol policy. We don't include alcohol sponsors on our website.
How does Do Something choose strategic partners?
We have a checklist. All of our partners must meet the Better Business Bureau standards for not for profit organizations, must care about making the word a better place, must agree to link to us from their site, must have a non discrimination policy, and must have an actual agreement in writing with us. Oh yeah. And, we gotta think they're cool.
How can you/I help Do Something?
Oooooh! Thanks for asking! You can donate money by credit card, cash, check or even in the form of stock! You can get the word out to friends by sending out a big ol' mass e-mail telling them how cool we are. You can join us and our groups on facebook, myspace and others. You can apply to be on our Youth Advisory Council. You can e-mail us your advice and suggestions to help@dosomething.org so that our site is even better.
Does Do Something give scholarships for school?
Not really. A portion of the BRICK Award is restricted for higher education.
How does Do Something come up with such great community action ideas?
Trained monkeys typing in the back room come up with most of the ideas. (Although no monkeys were hurt in this process. We promise. We're pro-monkey here.) Actually, all of the ideas on this site came from YOU or our interns who are just like YOU. We just edit the ideas down so that nothing on this site requires money, a car, or an adult. Seriously. These are our three rules to live by here: no money, no cars, no adults�because we are still young people too. We know how life is. We get it.
What are the BRICK Awards?
The BRICK AWARD honors amazing change makers under the age of 25. These are people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. They are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today. CNN dubbed the BRICK Awards "the Oscars for young people in service."
Who is eligible for the BRICK Awards?
To be eligible for the BRICK Awards, you must be both a citizen of the United States or its territories or Canada and 25 years old or younger on April 12 of the year you are applying for. You also have to be a social entrepreneur or a community leader. Descriptions of these categories and other specific details about the BRICK Awards can be found by clicking here.
How do I apply for a BRICK Award?
The BRICK Award application is now online! You can apply by clicking here.
I notice that your staff member George is really cute. Is he single?
Yes, George is single and likes knitting, flying kites and long walks on the __________. But, this is not a website for hook-ups or flirting. This is a place for talking about making the world a better place. Period. If you wanna talk about cute boys or swap music, go hang out on another site! This site is for changemakers.