I wrote this on Sunday - it's old news now in a way:
[This is probably way more than most people need to know but some regular Vivint voters may find it of interest. Ideally one should vote daily but it is not essential. The easiest way to remember is to sign up to say you're attending an event e.g. <http://on.fb.me/lMtrYd> i.e.
<http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events&ap=1#!/event.php?eid=121179681298558> .
You will then get a daily E-mail reminder. Don't worry: no one will keep track as to whether you actually do or don't vote each day! Voting re-starts in less than 2 days.]
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4 ME-type charities qualified for Round 2:
- IACFS/ME International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & ME
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/1124
- National ME/FM Action Network
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/855
- Nightingale Research Foundation
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/1129
- Whittemore Peterson Institute
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/769
(more detailed descriptions are below - Appendix A)
Other groups didn't make it. The contest was well under way when most people in the ME/CFS community knew about it which meant some groups from other causes had a big advantage (it started on April 25).
It was harder to qualify from some regions (Canada was by far the easiest to qualify from)
These groups are now eligible for two things:
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(i) Matching gifts (up to $2500 in total) (more details copied below - Appendix C)
[TK: I wonder will there be two lots of $2500 as the prize money only adds up to $750,000 and 100 x $2500 only gets to $1m]
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(ii) entry into Round 2 where $750,000 will be given to first place overall
($250,000) and the five remaining regional winners.
An important thing to remember is that if the WPI were to come second in its region, it could still win $100,000 if the group that more than it won overall.
This is made clear in the rules
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/overview where it says there are six winners.
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I think it is only worthwhile voting for a charity that has a chance of winning prize-money.
Based on what happened in round 1, unless there is a change in voting patterns, I think if one is thinking tactically, the groups to vote for are Whittemore Peterson Institute and perhaps the National ME/FM Action Network.
There is even a chance it could make "tactical sense" to vote for the Be Perfect Foundation near the end, if it is way ahead of the Whittemore Peterson Institute and is in the running for the top prize overall. If it got top prize overall, then the WPI would be eligible for $100,000 for coming second.
Also, based on Round 1, out of the ME-type charities, only the Whittemore Peterson Institute would seem to have a chance of winning the $250,000.
Some people may think the WPI don't have a great chance of winning the overall prize as they weren't near the top overall at the end of Round 1.
However, other groups had a big head-start as the voting started on April 25 (one can tell from their Vivint number/website address whether they registered early or not)
I started saving the voting totals early on June 1st (my time), just over 11 days before the voting ended.
I thought there might be the odd person interested in these figures so I've copied them below (Appendix B).
From those who finished in the top 5 in each region, here are the top
averages:
- Team Sanfilippo Foundation 0 + 5385 = 5385 (approx. 598 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (when I was saving it) 8 days before the end
- Ruth Paz Foundation LA 0 + 1840 = 1840 (approx. 460 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (at the time I was saving it each day) 3 days before the end
- Be Perfect Foundation 2062+5250=7312 (approx. 477 votes per day)
- Whittemore Peterson Institute 2641 + 4537 = 7178 (approx. 412 votes per
day)
- CHERUBS 3468 + 4463 = 7931 (approx. 405 votes per day)
I am not going to go through all the top 20s as have other things to do.
Of note, in Canada:
Light and Love Home- Vancouver BC 0 + 615 = 615 (approx. 202 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (when I was saving it) 3 days before the end with 9 votes so 615-9/3=202 They actually got 589 in the last day!!
Remember that the ME/CFS vote was split in Round 1 - perhaps 100+ people were voting for other groups but they will vote for the Whittemore Peterson Institute in Round 2.
So the Whittemore Peterson Institute should be in with a good chance.
Tom
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Appendix A: Vivint descriptions:
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http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/769
Whittemore Peterson Institute
region rank: 2
endorsements so far:7178
behind the leader: 134
Region: Pacific
Location: Reno, NV
Website:
www.wpinstitute.org
Description: The Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease exists to bring discovery, knowledge, and effective treatments to patients with illnesses that are caused by acquired dysregulation of both the immune system and the nervous system, often resulting in life long disease and disability. Our goals include: * Facilitate and Advance patient care * Research the pathophysiology of neuro-immune diseases such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, atypical MS, and autism * Develop therapeutics, diagnostics and prevention strategies for this spectrum of diseases * Advance and support medical education and physician training
Endorse get banner ads to advertise this charity on your site or blog >
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproje...banners?id=769
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http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/855
National ME/FM Action Network
region rank: 8
endorsements so far: 346
behind the leader: 1705
Region: Canada
Location: Nepean, ON
Website:
www.mefmaction.net
Description: The National ME/FM Action Network is a Canadian, registered charitable organization of volunteers reaching out internationally and dedicated to helping the medical, legal and general public in spreading awareness for ME/CFS and FMS
get banner ads to advertise this charity on your site or blog >
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproje...banners?id=855
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http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/1129
Nightingale Research Foundation
region rank: 19
endorsements so far: 114
behind the leader: 1937
Region: Canada
Location: Ottawa , ON
Website:
www.nightingale.ca/
Description: The purpose of the Foundation is to explore and understand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E. and CFS) and fibromyalgia-type illnesses. Since its inception, NRF has provided technical assistance to physicians, nurses, other health care professionals and researchers, as well as information to help and encourage thousands of North Americans who are patients or have family disabled by M.E. or CFS. The Foundation is known internationally for its dedication to research and rigorous medical investigation of M.E. and CFS disabled patients throughout its history.
Endorse get banner ads to advertise this charity on your site or blog >
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproje...anners?id=1129
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http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/1124
IACFS/ME International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & ME
region rank: 19
endorsements so far: 988
behind the leader: 9212
Region: Central
Location: Chicago, IL
Website:
www.iacfsme.org
Description: Mission Statement The mission of the IACFS/ME is to promote, stimulate and coordinate the exchange of ideas related to CFS, ME and fibromyalgia (FM) research, patient care and treatment. In addition, the IACFS/ME periodically reviews the current research and treatment literature and media reports for the benefit of scientists, clinicians and patients.
The IACFS/ME also conducts and/or participates in local, national, and international scientific conferences in order to promote and evaluate new research and to encourage future research ventures and cooperative activities to advance scientific and clinical knowledge of these illnesses.
The IACFS/ME shall at all times be organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as a qualified exempt organization described under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and the regulations promulgated thereunder as they may now exist or as they may be hereafter amended
Endorse get banner ads to advertise this charity on your site or blog >
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproje...anners?id=1124
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Appendix B: Top 5 from each region incl. daily averages in last 11 days:
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Pacific:
Be Perfect Foundation 2062+5250=7312 (approx. 477 votes per day)
Whittemore Peterson Institute 2641 + 4537 = 7178 (approx. 412 votes per day)
Prader-Willi California Foundation 1266 + 943 = 2209 (approx. 86 votes per day)
Courage To Be You 1436 + 453 = 1889 (approx. 41 votes per day)
NextGen Academy 90 + 1609 = 1699 (approx. 146 votes per day)
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Mountain:
Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Association 7684 + 3479 = 11163 (approx. 316 votes per day)
Now I Can Foundation 1857 + 819 = 2676 (approx. 74 votes per day)
Bikes for Kids Utah 1490 + 599 = 2089 (approx. 54 votes per day)
Heart 2 Home Foundation 695 + 714 = 1409 (approx. 65 votes per day)
Learning for Life in Utah County 1106 + 291 = 1397 (approx. 26 votes per
day)
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Central:
Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) 5892 + 4308 = 10200 (approx. 392 votes per day)
Tapestries of Life Ministries 5188 + 3251 = 8439 (approx. 296 votes per day)
Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County 2138 + 1841 = 3979 (approx. 167 votes per day)
Lindsay Foundation 1828 + 2024 = 3852 (approx. 184 votes per day)
Ruth Paz Foundation LA 0 + 1840 = 1840 (approx. 460 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (when I was saving it) 3 days before the end
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Eastern:
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America 4414 + 3824 = 8238 (approx. 347 votes per day)
CHERUBS 3468 + 4463 = 7931 (approx. 405 votes per day)
Team Sanfilippo Foundation 0 + 5385 = 5385 (approx. 598 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (when I was saving it) 8 days before the end
CFC International 956 + 3412 = 4368 (approx. 310 votes per day)
Dravet Syndrome Foundation 2508 + 1463 = 3971 (approx. 133 votes per day)
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Canada:
Foundation for Prader-Willi Research Canada 1421 + 630 = 2051 (approx. 57 votes per day)
Blue Heron Support Services Association 984 + 577 = 1561 (approx. 52 votes per day)
A Child's Voice Foundation 474 + 264 = 738 (approx. 24 votes per day)
Light and Love Home- Vancouver BC 0 + 615 = 615 (approx. 202 votes per day) (they only showed up on leaderboard (when I was saving it) 3 days before the end with 9 votes so 615-9/3=202 They actually got 589 in the last day!!
Shepherd's Gate Ministries Inc. SK 7 + 557 = 564 (approx. 51 votes per day)
Somebody had some figures from last year and with two days to go, the overall winner last year had received approximately 500 votes a day.
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Appendix C: Describing matching donations
http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/overview
What is a matching gift?
A matching gift is a donation made to a qualifying finalist charity. These gifts, donated by Vivint, match eligible donations made by the public through the Vivint Gives Back website. Vivint will match donations made by the public on a one-to-one basis, up to $2,500 per finalist charity.
Donations to the Matching Gift program can be made only during specified periods of Phase II of the contest. What does all that mean? It means that when you make a donation to a finalist charity during one of our matching periods, Vivint will match that gift dollar for dollar!
How do I make a donation that will be matched?
Once a matching period has been announced, any member of the public who is eligible to vote for a charity (i.e., has a Facebook login) is eligible to make a donation that will be matched through the Vivint Gives Back Project.
All gifts must be made through the Vivint Gives Back website during the matching period to be eligible. For a public donation to qualify for a match through the Vivint Gives Back Project, the donation must be a charitable contribution. These contributions are deductible on your federal income tax return. If the donor, any member of the donor's family, or any individual designated by the donor has received or will receive a benefit as the result of the contribution, the donation will not be matched.
Can I select any charity to donate to and have it matched?
Donations will be collected and matched only for eligible charities participating in the Vivint Gives Back Project.
Is there a limit to how much I can give? How much is matched?
Public donations are matched on a one-to-one (dollar-for-dollar) basis.
However, Vivint Gives Back will match up to a maximum of $50 for each individual donor. Vivint Gives Back will match public donations up to $2,500 for each finalist charity.
When will the matching periods be held?
Matching periods will take place throughout Phase II of the contest. Vivint will announce these matching periods on the Vivint Gives Back website.
