Hamilton, Ont.’s social media community has launched a crowdfunding campaign to improve digital literacy in the city.
Launched on Dec. 2 (Giving Tuesday), the goal of #HamOntForever fund is to raise $10,000 in 60 days. The money will be given to Hamilton Community Foundation, which will dole out grants annually to projects that give people online access and tools to participate in the digital world.
The idea was born when Chris Farias, partner at creative agency Kitestring, was thinking about what’s next for Hamilton’s strong digital community. “My idea was more people need to get involved with this community and there are a lot of people who just don’t have access to digital tools or the internet in general,” said Farias.
The point was driven home when Farias read comments on an article about online voting when the municipal elections were taking place. “In Hamilton, there is no online voting and somebody mentioned that would be just for the elite,” said Farias. “And that really struck me… I had never even thought of being able to access the internet as something that would be elite. And yes, more people need to be able to access the internet.”
So, Kitestring teamed up with Double Barrel Studios and Brave New Code to create the #HamOntForever fund on fundraising site Indiegogo. Hamilton Community Foundation will match the first $10,000 raised. Donors can contribute a hashtag, tweet, post and more based on their donation amount to an online time capsule viewable at HamOntForever.ca.
“The time capsule is really about what your hopes and dreams are for the Hamilton community in the future,” said Farias. At the end of the crowdfunding campaign, the time capsule will be closed and re-opened in 2030.
“I just think it will be interesting to think, ‘remember when we used to tweet?’” said Farias.
