How effective can social media be in raising money to support a charitable cause? That’s what eight a&g employees and many other social media mavens in Boston and Austin are investigating this November – well, Movember, really.

The Society for New Communications Research & UMass Dartmouth reported in June 2009 that 89% of the top non-profit organizations use at least one form of social media. And Chris Brogan and Julien Smith wrote in their 2009 New York Times best-seller, Trust Agents, of an instance where building community in social media resulted in easily generating in just 2 hours the remaining $500 needed for a Cambodian woman to go to college – driven much by a tweet from Brogan asking followers to chip in a few dollars.

So, we figured, let’s see for ourselves. During this entire month, we’re growing what’s considered somewhat of a lost “art form”, moustaches, in an effort to raise donations to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong Foundation. We’re participating in the largest, worldwide charitable event in support of men’s health: “Movember”. Since 2003, men have raised over $50MM for the cause as they’ve sported furry upper lips for the month of Movember – a moustache is known as a “mo” in Australia, where this cause started.

a&g is championing Team Boston and is going head-to-head with fellow Magnum P.I. admirers from social media mecca, Austin, TX, to see who can raise the most money for the cause – and look pretty slick in the process. We’re using all sorts of means for fundraising – with particular focus on what social media can do.

Have you tried social media to support fundraising efforts? What’s worked? What hasn’t?

We’ll be sure to report on what we learn – we should have some free time by month’s end; our wives aren’t all that big on hanging out with us these days! :{D

To support a&g’s efforts to raise awareness for men’s health and fight prostate cancer and testicular cancer, please visit the Team Boston “Mo Space” page and make your donation online: https://www.movember.com/us/donate/your-details/team_id/10775

For more on Movember: http://us.movember.com/about/