Ideas Happen 2004
Inspiring new beginnings
Visa is proud to support the creative spirit and boundless energy of our Ideas Happen winners. We believe that building a better community starts by helping people build their dreams. Our twelve outstanding innovators each received $25,000 from Visa to help them launch their ideas. We can hardly wait to see what they’ll do next.
Community
Peter M., DCWeddings that Give Back/Community
After watching my friends get married over the past few years, I realized many of them were looking for alternatives to the spending frenzy at weddings.
So I started the I Do Foundation to help engaged couples raise donations for their favorite charities at their weddings. I set up a website at www.idofoundation.org that gives couples easy ways to raise donations
Registries for Charity I got over a dozen major retail stores to donate up to 8% of wedding registry purchases to charity - all at no cost to the couple.
Donation Registry - For older couples or second marriages, couples can ask for charitable donations instead of another toaster.
Charitable Guest Favors - Couples donate to a charity in honor of their guests (instead of giving candies or other traditional favors).
Dress Donation - Brides donate their gowns, I resell them through a consignment shop partner, the proceeds go to charity.
Over the past six months, I signed up over 10,000 engaged couples and raised almost $200,000 for charity. I have worked for nonprofits since I was 18, so I know the impact of these donations. Your support will catapult my efforts to marry charitable giving and weddings.
