Who We Are

About Social Media for Social Change

It started with a single blog post by founder Gradon Tripp in June of 2008.

He wanted to harness the energy and passion of his local social media community to do something more powerful than “just another tweetup.”  And only a few months later, the event that grew out of Gradon’s vision raised more than $20,000 for an organization in need.

Now Social Media for Social Change (SM4SC) serves as a powerful example of how social media can transform more than just the way we communicate — it can change the way we live.

Our plan is simple:

• Reach out to a wide range of technology/social media/PR professionals & active users who care about doing more with their knowledge of tools and platforms like Twitter and Facebook (and many, many more…)
• Reach out to nonprofit & cause-based organizations that need effective, dynamic ways to connect with their communities… but may lack the budget, time or know-how to stay “up to the minute” with those same tools and platforms
• Connect these two communities to create real, measurable change — and a ton of hope along the way, too.

We’ve hosted events in three cities (SM4SC Boston and SM4SC New York, Miami 2009, Social Change Camp New York), and have taken part in multiple “virtual” fundraisers and giving initiatives, including a partnership in Mashable’s Summer of Social Good campaign.

The people you’ll meet below are just a small sample of the folks who have come together to raise thousands of dollars for those in need. After all, without our sponsors, our partners and a devoted group of volunteers, SM4SC would still be just a blog post.

The Team Behind SM4SC:

Gradon Tripp, SM4SC Founder Gradon Tripp, is a Boston-based social media, technology and design aficionado. He fully immerses himself in the world of social media: He is the founder of DesignBoston, Boston’s largest local design blog; he also writes about social media and life at GradonTripp.com; he also speaks about the role social media plays in helping non-profit organizations raise awareness. You can also find him @gradontripp on Twitter.

Matthew Knell, SM4SC Co-Organizer, Web Marketing and Technology Matthew Knell is a web technologist and marketer with a long history designing, developing, and marketing a wide array of successful products and brands including About.com, JetBlue Airways and MTV Networks. An active member of the New York Technology scene, he was the lead organizer of SocialChangeCamp NYC 2009, an unconference focused on the sharing of knowledge at the intersection of Non-Profits and Technology. Currently, he is the Director of Emerging and Social Media Strategy at CafeMom, Founder of Internet is People, and teaches Social Media and Information Architecture at NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Learn more about Matt at tagsmith.org and find him @matthewknell on Twitter.

Friends of SM4SC
Social Media for Social Change could never have happened without our Sponsors, or the help and guidance of many smart, wonderful people:

• Alina Balean
• Biana Bakman
• Bob Collins – SHIFT Communications
• Rebecca Corliss – Hubspot and rebeccacorliss.com
• Laura Gassner Otting – Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group
• John Gonella – Truth & Soul, Inc.
• Vanessa Jupe – Adventured.net
• Robert Murray
• Kristin Maverick – SocialCocktails.com
• Leslie Poston – Uptown Uncorked
• Rebecca Schlachter – Apathy Stew
• Tim Walker – Hoovers
• Danielle Wooding – sekala.livejournal.com