Online Fundraising Site GiveForward.org Recognized as a Finalist by Chicago's Newest Technology Incubator

Online, June 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - GiveForward.org, a new online fundraising service has been selected as one of a handful of ventures to receive financial support and mentoring from some of the technology world's greatest minds, the result of a competition organized by the new Chicago-based incubator, Excelerate Labs. One of a number of innovative new businesses selected for this honor, GiveForward.org provides free personal fundraising pages to those seeking to raise money for others. The company's President and Co-founder Desiree Vargas said, "We are honored to have been selected for this exceptional program and to have the opportunity to learn from so many great business minds from around the country."

Established by entrepreneur Sam Yagan - founder of the online dating site OKCupid -- and a number of other investors, the goal of Excelerate Labs is to support projects and business ideas that have the potential to transform Chicago into "the Silicon Valley of the Midwest." This summer, each of the finalists in the competition hosted by the incubator will receive $10,000 to $15,000 in financial support as well as the guidance of an elite "brain trust" of technology experts. At the conclusion of the summer program, each participating company will have the chance to present their plan to a large group of angel and institutional investors with the power to transform these start-ups into major players.

GiveForward.org has a proven track record of bringing people together in a way that saves lives and provides a safety net to those affected by natural disasters and unexpected financial challenges. One measure of the company's success is that in less than two years, contributions for the various projects listed on the site total more than $1 million from donors in the U.S. and around the world.

In 2008, Desiree Vargas and Ethan Austin launched GiveForward.org as a simple and effective way to bring people and communities together to help loved ones facing medical challenges and to support other importance causes. According to Vargas, 95% of the projects established on the site are created to help those with enormous medical expenses such as cancer, organ transplants, multiple sclerosis treatments, and even pets in sudden need of surgery. "In the first two months of 2010 alone, we saw about $400,000 in donations come in," said Vargas. "This clearly shows that not only are people spreading the word about the amazing results that have been achieved by using GiveForward.org, and it also demonstrates the good feeling that donors find in making a difference in the lives of others."

As co-founders of the site, Desiree Vargas and Ethan Austin are both extremely passionate about the power each individual to make a major difference in the lives of others, and their belief that every one of us has the ability to change someone's world. Their goal is to continue to help others and also partner with non-profit health organizations and hospitals to spread the word to patients and families who could benefit from the services of the site.

Desiree Vargas, Co-Founder and President of Giveforward.org

With roots in Costa Rica and Kansas City, Vargas graduated from Yale University in 2004 with a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Prior to launching GiveForward.org, Vargas worked as a specialist in collegiate entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City and as an independent consultant for Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors. As can be seen by anyone who visits the website, she is passionate about philanthropy and the role that young and small-scale donors can have on our communities.

Ethan Austin, Co-Founder of GiveForward.org

A native of Southern California, Austin graduated from Emory University in 2004 with a B.A. in political science and also holds a J.D. from American University's Washington College of Law where he was member of the Law Review. Austin is an active volunteer for Imerman Angels, a cancer-support organization, and also serves on the steering committee for Climate Cycle, a Chicago-based environmental non-profit organization that helps install solar panels in Chicago public schools.

Numerous individuals and causes have benefited greatly from the support of others by personal fundraising pages created on GiveForward.org. Individuals seeking to establish a personal fundraising site are encouraged to visit www.GiveForward.org for more information.

For more information about Excelerate Labs, visit: www.exceleratelabs.com.

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