Viking Magazine - September 2013 - 19

onas Borchgrevink, 23, is
the founder of
MyGoodAct-a social networking
site that supports
humanitarian projects around
the world and encourages
good deeds. The Oslo
resident recently earned
his Bachelor's degree in
Entrepreneurship from
BI Norwegian Business
School, but his desire to
help others started at a
young age.
At the age of 9,
Borchgrevink and a friend
started playing music
outside a local grocery
store in his hometown to
raise money for Save the
Children. The boys raised
NOK 1,000 in donations
on the first day, but
he was left with some
questions. " I was curious
if the money we donated
helped anyone, " he says.
" Were we able to save any lives?
We never got any answers or
updates on how the money was
being spent. "
When he was 15 years old,
Borchgrevink decided to create
a social networking site that
focused on good acts and delivered
specific updates on how
donations are used, and in 2009,
MyGoodAct became a reality.
Users can log in to MyGoodAct.
com, and help in two
ways. Private people can
start a fundraiser for a
registered NGO, such as
UNICEF, or an organization
can start its own project.
New updates to the site
will be launching this fall.
" I want to inspire and
engage young people, "
Borchgrevink says.
Borchgrevink is
Jonas Borchgrevink's social networking
site makes giving for good easier.
To learn more, go to jonasborchgrevink.com and mygoodact.com.
particularly proud of one
fundraiser that has made
global news. When Oslo
native Nathalie Krantz
learned about a baby girl,
Roona Begum, in India who
suffers from severe Hydrocephalus,
or " water on the
brain, " she wanted to help pay
for an operation. Krantz started a
fundraiser on MyGoodAct.com.
Within 30 days, donations poured
in from all around the world and
raised NOK 300,000.
Borchgrevink hopes the
future is bright for MyGoodAct.
Since the project relies solely on
funding from outside sources,
he is always looking for support
from individuals and organizations.
Jonas also consults with
private people and companies
on social media strategies and
web services.
What's his advice for a
young person who wants to
start up his or her own business?
" Find what you're passionate
about and follow that
dream, " he says. " But don't
ever be afraid to move on to
another project if the first one
isn't sustainable. You have to
be objective and realistic. "
[at skiing], and for me it wasn't possible to do both, " she told reporters.
Weng's sacrifice seems to be paying off. At this year's Nordic World Ski
Championships, she won bronze in the 15-kilometer and played a pivotal
role in the women's 4 x 5-km relay to help Norway take home the gold.
After the race Bjørgen told reporters she was " proud and impressed " with
her young teammate.
Weng shares her experience at the World Championship on Facebook:
" It was great with bronze ... But the first leg of the relay and all the
pleasure afterwards, along with the other girls on the winning team,
is probably what I remember as the major highlight during the World
Championship. After this experience I understand why it's difficult for
older athletes to give up the sport, " she writes.
All eyes will be on Weng as she begins this year's ski season.
Follow her at heidiweng.com or facebook.com/official.heidiweng
sonsofnorway.com VIKING SEPTEMBER 2013 19
Check out NorwayConnects, a web portal
powered by Sons of Norway for students and
recent grads in Norway and North America.
You'll find the resources you need to launch
your career or take it to the next level:
✔ International job postings
✔ Study abroad programs
✔ Scholarships
✔ Financial advice
For more information, visit
norwayconnects.org.
http://www.MyGoodAct.com http://www.jonasborchgrevink.com http://www.mygoodact.com http://www.norwayconnects.org http://www.heidiweng.com http://www.facebook.com/official.heidiweng http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - September 2013

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