Boston.com Introduces ''Do Good,'' a Community-Based Channel That Connects People with Causes

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boston.com announced today the launch of the Do Good channel, an online community space for people to become connected to a wide array of causes and community service organizations throughout the region.

The Do Good section of Boston.com organizes information submitted online by participating nonprofits and allows users to search through the database for different ways to get involved. Visitors can find the section at dogood.boston.com, or through the Lifestyle section of Boston.com.

“We see Boston.com’s Do Good channel as a wonderful resource for area nonprofits to reach an audience of more than four million visitors,” said Leah Bailey, executive director of the Boston Globe Foundation. “The support that Do Good lends to local service organizations is very much in keeping with The Boston Globe’s commitment to strengthening to our community.”

To date the Do Good channel has 670 participating organizations, including such well-known entities as Boston Cares; American Red Cross; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Audubon; Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston; and Third Sector New England, as well as many smaller groups. The list of participating organizations is planned to grow as the channel becomes more widely known. Participation is free; nonprofits can even sell small sponsorships on their sites within the Do Good channel.

Every organization can submit a profile and list upcoming programs and events, volunteer opportunities, in-kind donation opportunities, and job openings. Visitors to the site today can search 425 events, programs, and volunteer opportunities.

“Introducing the Do Good channel will make the connection between Boston.com and our visitors even stronger,” said Bob Kempf, vice president of product at Boston.com. “The section adds a new dimension of high personal value to the Boston.com user experience.”

Social tools, such as the ability to email search results to a friend or share on social networking and bookmarking sites like Facebook and del.icio.us, are embedded within each listing. In addition, a special widget that tags content will allow Boston.com to automatically post appropriate opportunities for people to get involved alongside related news stories from The Boston Globe and other sources.

Users can search Do Good by the type of cause of interest to them, as well as the different ways that they could become involved, including volunteer, make an in-kind donation or go to an event. They can also look for organizations or events within a preferred geography, whether close to home or work. Search results are accompanied by maps.

The channel is powered by good2gether, a national network with media affiliations in several major metropolitan markets, and many associations with national nonprofits.

About Boston.com

Boston.com is one of the most visited regional portals in the U.S and is wholly owned by The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.