Press Release - 5/12/95

"Every day we hear of new technologies and businesses that are being built by and for the "Wired" generation. But so far, little has been done in a formal way to harness the power of the Internet for positive social change." says Cindy Shove, co-founder and co-Executive Director of the new organization. "Our dream is that in a few years, millions of people will use Impact Online as their source of information and action for making a difference in their community".

Impact Online serves to directly educate the public, periodically focusing on specific issues to raise awareness of social problems, such as homelessness, quality education or affordable health care. The current focus is on homelessness, with Web pages set up to discuss the facts about this enduring social problem. These pages include a photo gallery from award-winning photographer Howard Schatz, giving this often abstract issue a human face.

"Our mission is to lower the barrier for busy people to make a difference by providing consumers with one digital place where they can come to learn about the issues and then offer their support to a nonprofit", says co-founder, Steve Glikbarg.

The launch of IOL has been very successful, with a listing in the Netscape Communication's "What's Cool List" on the Web (as of June 26) and a recent award from Point Communications as one of the "Top 5%" of all Internet sites. This has contributed to a current "guest list" of over 1000 visitors a day. This heavy traffic, as well as the mission of Impact Online, has attracted its first two corporate sponsors: Windham Hill Music and Working Assets Long Distance.

"Windham Hill Records is proud to be a sponsor of Impact Online. It is the only opportunity we know of that allows us to support our Internet marketing efforts while contributing to a great cause.", says Roy Gatinella, Vice President of Marketing of Windham Hill. IOL has an additional six sponsorship positions available for other socially conscious companies interested in Web-based marketing.

Visitors to the IOL Web site are invited to support a cause or nonprofit in one of several ways: 1) Volunteer time, including "virtual volunteering" for some organizations; 2) lend a voice, via e-mail, to an awareness or lobbying effort, and 3) donate money to a nonprofit electronically.

To encourage consumers to come to their Web site, IOL is developing engaging content to ensure that a visit is entertaining and informative - and at the same time offer ways for the typical Web user to make a difference. To support nonprofits, IOL publishes a profile of each organization, including photographs, audio clips of interviews and reviews of ongoing programs.

IOL's corporate sponsors clearly represent the tip of the issue-aware, Internet-savvy businesses interested in helping affect social change. "We are proud to be associated with Impact Online. They are performing an essential service by bringing to life online the activities of grassroots organizations that are effective vehicles for social change and are all too often completed unknown in this era of mass media and direct mail fundraising." says Michael Kieschnick, President, Working Assets Long Distance.

As IOL broadens its scope, the search continues for corporate and foundation support - either through direct grants or participation in the Web Sponsorship Program. "Organizations that support Impact Online are showing that they also want the power of the Internet and other commercial services to be extended to communities across the country, as we learn how to provide consumers with new ways to support the causes that are of concern to them," says Cindy Shove.

Organizations and foundations interested in learning more about Impact Online can call Cindy Shove at 415-327-1389, or visit the web site at http://www.impactonline.org