YouTube Pairs Video Artists and Charities in New Volunteer Section

The online video channel YouTube is pairing charities and creative video producers to develop fund-raising and promotional spots keyed to a different issue or cause each month. The site's Video Volunteers page has attracted about 75 new videos a month since it made its debut in October. The best videos on each theme—February's is health—are featured on YouTube's main page, which can mean massive exposure for both the video artist and the spotlighted charity. Many of the clips employ quirky humor or reference famous videos made viral by the site.

Full text article by Doug Gross is available via CNN, 2/11/10.

The Amazing Growth of Online Video

Online video usage is a mainstream online activity and growing quickly. According to a recent report by the marketing research firm Nielsen, the number of Americans watching online video has more than tripled in the last 5 years.

Over the last year alone, viewers of online video grew 10%, the number of videos watched per user grew 27% and the total numbers of minutes spent watching online video grew 71%.

Full-text blog posting by Steve King is available via OpenForum.com, 4.29.09.

Online Video Program Features Charitable Organizations

The YouTube Nonprofit Program provides charitable organizations with the opportunity to tell their stories and connect with current and potential supporters, volunteers, and donors. Through the program, nonprofit organizations can be part of a designated "Nonprofit" channel on YouTube that will deliver their messages to the world's largest online video community. Organizations applying for the Nonprofit Program must be based in the U.S. or the United Kingdom and not be religious or political in nature. Visit the website listed above for program details.