My understanding is their program is giving up to 5 million dollars to one single program. (and the final dollar figure is based on new people that sign up to get AMEX cards, so it's a simple customer acquisition campaign)

so i'm wondering what you'd suggest about the back and forth i've been having with these amex folks? the first email i received follows.

I work in Philanthropy at American Express and while I was unable to locate your phone number, I would like to tell you about an exciting on-line program which American Express launched last month – May 15. It's called the Members Project and you can find more information at www.membersproject.com. The purpose of the Members Project is to bring together the our Cardmember community (American Express Cardholders) to generate innovative ideas that will have a positive impact in the world. Specifically, the project encourages Cardmembers to generate and rate ideas that will have a positive impact in the world. American Express will bring the winning idea to life by donating up to $5 million dollars, and a minimum $1 million depending on participation, in order to implement the idea.This is not a matching program, it will be fully funded by American Express. Each Cardmember who registers, increases the amount American Express will donate by $1 so obviously the more participation, the more money will be committed to making the idea a reality

We have a Cardmember's project idea that we think would be a perfect fit for your organization. I would like to speak with you further about the opportunity to carry out this idea. Remember we will give at least $1 million dollars to the winning project. We would very much like to match an idea with an organization as we move forward in this process.

Please call me as soon as possible to discuss this idea further, as I would be happy to provide you with all of the details.

Thank you,

Danielle York American Express Philanthropy

What do they want from Peace Tiles/you?

>>We have a Cardmember's project idea that we think would be a perfect fit for your organization.<<

This is a pretty interesting statement.

I'd get Danielle to point to the idea that she considers a perfect fit on their site. Should be fairly simple to find out if she works in the American Express Philanthropy division too I suspect.

she has; we've chatted about it. my point is, they say they need my "decision" about whether I want Peace Tiles "matched" by 5 today, ie "I'm always suspicious of people who dangle the prospect of some good thing and tell you that you need to let them know "your decision" by the end of the day..." this just doesn't seem right...

>>Calling the nnumber gets you to a generic switchboard operator who doesn't know anything about a "Members Project."<<

Sorry, didn't understand that you'd chatted.

Well, who knows what her/their deadline is to narrow down the possible list of orgs to 10 (or 25, or whatever it was).

Your upside is a better chance at some decent funding, what's your downside if you say "yes"? What does saying "yes" mean exactly? This program is new for them as well, so much like all new efforts there will be unknowns and ambiguous situations. I'd consider rolling with it and seeing what happens if there is a possible interesting outcome. Even becoming one of the top 10 projects (or whatever) is worth something I suppose.

It is definitely a legitimate project.

I received a cardmember email about it back in May with link to the official site: http://www.membersproject.com/in tro.htm?offer=email. Can you access that URL?

There is a timeline at the top of the page that points out that today is the deadline for submissions.

I think it's wonderful to have the opportunity, Lars! I dragged my heels on it and just didn't have my act together...you've got my vote!!

I recognize the entire campaign is legit - what I'm still unclear about the part where they go out and look for projects to "match" with member ideas... it doesn't seems to jive.

Their members are giving "project ideas" but they are not the ones (the members or AMEX) expected to execute the ideas and do the actual projects. One of the member ideas seems to be akin to something Peace Tiles does... I'd jump on it.

From what I can tell by perusing projects, many of them are, in fact, existing projects and not "ideas without homes."

Sorry - I didn't understand your question, Lars, now I do! I agree with Mark - go for it!!

I was just looking at a few projects also...there's even a "Kids With Give" submission - yikes!

Please ask Ms. York to contact me for matching ;-)