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Raise5 is an application that people can use to give to charity even if they are short on cash. The first way is that they can post something that they are talented in and then the proceeds would go to the charity of their choice. For example, one could offer a caricature sketch or a 15-minute French lesson. Perhaps one could post that they could ghost write for someone's blog or that they could help with another's calculus homework. One could even dress up as a teddy bear and dance to song requests and post the video on YouTube. Really any kind of talent, skill, or service could be posted onto Raise5.com. Additionally, for those who have an extra $5 to spend, they could browse through the Raise5 offerings and purchase some that might be helpful, fun or interesting to them. In the end the charity benefits, people can feel good about the transaction and the service hopefully helps someone or at least brings a smile to someone's face.

Raise5 is a new startup based out of Toronto. It was founded by a small group of university students including Nelson Wu a Computer Engineering Grad and Co-founder of Hoody, Mike Tang an Electrical and Computer Engineering Grad, and Hassan Hassan a student majoring in Psychology. The group got its start at the Toronto Start Up Weekend in November 2011. Since then, their site has been growing.

Raise5 allows people to donate their skills, time and energy to charity and make a difference. Users don't need to empty their pockets in order to help. In addition, the site focuses on transactions that are just $5. This is a pretty accessible cost for most people, and there is a growing gallery of interesting and fun services being offered through the site. So whether someone wants to drop $5 and get something small in return, or they want to share their skills with the world, both types of people can do so through the Raise5 platform and do so while feeling that they are making the world a better place.

Raise5 appears well designed and is fun to navigate. It could possibly be polished up a bit more, but the site is new and for the time being it really displays everything it needs to to be successful. The About page on the Rasie5 site gives users some insight into this fun and engaging team. They explain their take out of this with humor, and overall the site is sincere and really trying to make a difference for the better in today's society.

Registering for the Raise5 site is simple enough. Users just need to provide their email address, or they can login with their Facebook account instead. From there they can donate their services or they can purchase a service for charity.

To offer one's time and energy, that is 100% free. To purchase a service costs $5. Out of the $5, Raise5 takes $1 to essentially keep the lights on and the site running. Transactions are paid for through PayPal so there is a small part of the $1 going to them as well.

Raise5 is a fantastic way to donate to charity without breaking the bank. Small acts cost just $5, or users can donate their time, energy or talents instead. There are a lot of creative services being offered through Raise5, so anyone should take a look and see how they can benefit or help the site.

• Donate time, energy and talent and raise money for charity
• Spend $5 for charity and get something cool or helpful in return
• Users can donate a service instead of cash and still make a difference

Raise5 video

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