Social Media Week to feature advice for nonprofits and foundations

Hello from New York, which along with several other cities around the world is hosting the second-annual Social Media Week. Much of the week will focus on how nonprofits and foundations use social media to advance their brand building and advocacy goals, and we'll be sure to share some of the insights that come out of this conference. 

At the opening session, GOOD Inc. co-founder Max Schorr talked about how the discussion over foundations and giving has changed over the last few years. "It's not just about philanthropy anymore," he said. "It's about culture engagement and being relevant."

Coinciding with the opening session today was the launch of the voting process of the Pepsi Refresh Project, which is a project that our team has helped to put together in which the beverage giant is giving away $20 million in grants in 2010. The effort has gotten a fair amount of media attention, and Beth Kanter featured a guest blog post today from Pepsi's global director of digital and social media. Pepsi is also partnering with Facebook for a live "Great Ideas Brainstorm" with Kevin Bacon and Demi Moore.

But is Facebook still the best way to reach young people? After all, didn't it lose its "cool" factor once everyone's parents started joining? 

With Facebook's audience heading toward the 400 million mark, Facebook Vice President Fabio Freyre made clear that young people are still engaged on Facebook at high levels. We've never been stronger" with people aged 13-21, he said, adding: "They are not migrating away because their parents are on it." 

And as it happens, a 14-year-old is in the lead in the voting right now for one of the Pepsi Refresh grants.