For six years now, the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards has been shining a spotlight on all the innovative ways that nonprofits use video. The contest is about moving the field of nonprofit video forward and encouraging cause-video creators to try new approaches that make their work different.

Different is just what The Case Foundation is looking for in this year’s contest. Did you experiment? Take risks? Did you highlight a failure from your past that’s helping shape the future? Share a big idea that will inspire others to dream big? Were you… Fearless? If so, the Case Foundation wants to reward your organization! This year, the Case Foundation is awarding one $2,500 grant to the organization with the most fearless video in each of the four categories, as selected by a panel of special judges.

These special grants will recognize those nonprofit video creators who aren’t afraid to deviate from the norm, use innovative approaches and fearlessly tell compelling, honest stories that are from the heart. Fearless video means taking risks and trying new approaches for the sake of creating moving content that inspires the viewer. We recognize that nonprofits are fearlessly making new and interesting video everyday and we want to see more!

There’s no better time than right now to enter your video to win great prizes like these special grants from the Case Foundation as well as cash prizes and products from Cisco, free registrations to next year’s NTC from NTEN and your video on the YouTube homepage on April 5, 2012. To enter the awards, just visit the contest website by February 29, 2012, and submit your video. Winners will be announced by See3 Communications on April 5, 2012.

Last year’s contest was a record setter with almost 1,400 submissions from over 800 nonprofit organizations and record breaking views on the website. It’s incredible to think of all the great work the participating organizations submitted. See past winners here to get inspired.

So what are you waiting for? Enter today!

Thanks to everyone who came out to my workshop at the Philanthropy Midwest Conference yesterday. As promised, here are my slides and some links to some key posts that will enhance your learning.

My Presentation: Cause Marketing 101

What is Cause Marketing?

A Primer on Pinups

The Power of Free (and why you should give away your cause marketing)

I talked a lot about Ocean State Job Lot and iParty. I thought you might enjoy reading about them. Remember, focus on small and mid-size businesses in your area.

Lots of great examples of purchase and action triggered donations in my latest post on “pinktober” promotions. Here’s a recent example of action-triggered cause marketing for Halloween!

Here’s the link to that great program by the Ellie Fund, which I discussed in my section on “Shopping Days.”

Cause marketing with Facebook Likes.

How to use Prospecting Circles to recruit partners.

Let me know if you have any questions. Also, if you are specifically interested in working with pinups in your next cause marketing promotion, consider taking my three part course Six Figure Cause Marketing. It covers everything you need to plan and execute a successful program.