It’s been a whirlwind year for us and as the end of our first year sneaks up on us, we have been evaluating the impact we’ve made in the local nonprofit community. Long story short, it’s not enough. So, we’re changing it up.

In order to really make an impact, we are going to partner with one nonprofit each year. Right now 10% of the sales from each design go to a different nonprofit. Starting in 2011 10% from all sales will go to one nonprofit that we will choose together. In addition to receiving a monetary donation, we will give time. Clint and I will both volunteer for the selected nonprofit on a regular basis and we will have Scared Panda volunteer days four times each year. This will allow our customers and friends to get involved in their community, to really make a difference.

In the next couple of months, we’ll meet with various nonprofits and narrow it down to three possible partner organizations. During the holiday season – from Thanksgiving until Christmas day – we’ll open it up to the public and let you vote for the nonprofit you’d like us to work with for the upcoming year. Consider your vote a holiday gift to the nonprofit you choose.

If you’d like to help us select a nonprofit or would like to be involved in Scared Panda volunteer days, sign up for our e-newsletter. We’ll let you know when voting is open to help us select a nonprofit and we’ll keep you up-to-date on events.

As we begin our search for our potential 2011 partner, let us know which Chicago-based nonprofits you’d like to throw in the mix.

- Kate