I received this email from Wokai yesterday:

Gmail - You have received a free Wokai gift. - meyers.drew@gmail.com
Uploaded with Skitch!

A wokai tshirt for earning “impact points”. SMART. When I get my shirt in the mail, Wokai will have just turned me into a walking billboard.

Would I wear a shirt from just any brand that offered me one? No. But, it just so happens that Wokai, Kiva, Grameen, and Vittana are all microfinance brands that I’m passionate about. And, if I had a shirt from each of them, I’d happily wear them and spread their message to more people as a walking mini billboard. Do you have a nonprofit with passionate supporters? Whether they be family members or best friends, I’m sure you have at least a few. Turn them into walking mobile billboards.

Now, I have no idea how many people are getting these same shirts. But that’s not the point. The fact that the reward feels “special” is all that matters to me (and others) who received this offer. Now, that could change if I see hundreds of other people around the Seattle area wearing Wokai shirts — but until that happens, this is a brilliant fundraising & marketing initiative :)

Well done, Wokai.

About Drew Meyers

Drew Meyers is a travel addict and founder of Horizon. Social entrepreneurship & microfinance advocate.