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Turn on your computers everyone. TWU Impact, a new fundraising and storytelling website about Trinity Western University and its community, launched on Feb. 10.

Jocelyn Durston, TWU Impact coordinator and alumni, wanted to help with this project because TWU has no government funding and it gives back to the TWU community.

What makes TWU Impact unique is its accessibility and flexibility. “TWU decided to invest in this website and its software to give donors the opportunity to pick and choose where their money goes…which is a lot more appealing to donors.”

“Any TWU related [groups] can use this website to raise money for their project,” said Durston. In addition, TWU Impact is an outlet for students to get involved by fundraising, promoting, and storytelling important projects to them.

“The website tries to utilize the idea of using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to use word of mouth and promoting stories to get out [to the public],” said Durston. If projects were promoted internally on campus it might not get as much exposure as it potentially could.

Anyone can get involved with TWU Impact by signing up and becoming a “champion.” According to the website, champions are individuals who raise awareness and funds for projects, blog, upload photos and videos and spread the word to as many people as they like, sharing their story while inspiring others to do the same.

By signing up to TWU Impact and simply clicking on “propose a project” anyone can place a project on the website and Durston can activate it.

The user-friendly website TWU offers “will constantly be changing and hopefully become even better,” said Durston. And for being new to web, TWU Impact is already starting to see some exciting donating outcomes. Currently there at 15 projects, and in the future Durston hopes to see more.

“For the third year in a row, the library has had a funding freeze for new books,” said Durston. “One of the projects on the site is trying to raise money for books.” Some projects will benefit the student body as a whole whereas others are more specific.

“We have had a donor for the nursing department who is trying to raise money for simulation dolls,” said Durston. Professors can program illness on the dolls so student nurses can use it for research. TWU is one of the only schools who doesn’t have the $37,000 simulation dolls and “one donor has come forward with $5000 matching funds,” said Durston. If the word spreads and $5000 is raised, it will increase to $10,000.

“People who donate to that project know that their money is essentially going twice as far,” said Durston. Similarly, the government will do a $15,000 matching fund for the Laurentian Leadership Centre’s building renovations.

Whether donations are $5 or $5000, every bit counts. “The website is only set up to take in money donations,” said Durston. If a donor has a useful resource a project is looking for, however, they can contact and meet with the champion of a project and give it to them.

Visit TWU Impact online at www. impacttwu.ca to get involved or catch the event on March 24th in the cafeteria to learn more. The first 50 people to stop by and sign up at the event receive a free $20 to give to the online fundraising project of their choice.