PledgeBank gives users a reason to help out and get things done. The site lists one of the biggest problems people encounter with completing a project or task is lack of interest from others. This can often lead to a project that is never completed. PledgeBank allows users to bring their plans to the site and make a pledge to do it. However the catch is the agreement involves a certain number of others helping out (set by the person making the pledge). The site offers up a few examples, such as one person pledging to begin recycling if 100 people in their community agree to do the same, or a pledge to plan a school play if three other parents agree to help out.

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PledgeBank was created by MySociety, an organization built on volunteers. MySociety has helped out with many projects of varying stages. The organization helps build sites, provides consulting services, and also assists hopeful individuals in planning their next online business venture. PledgeBank is another example of MySociety’s handiwork.

PledgeBank has nothing to do with making money. The site is entirely based on the commitment of the user. By allowing one person to offer up a pledge, they can encourage others to follow through. Sometimes, the motivation of one person can cause others to participate as well. PledgeBank operates on that concept and by doing so, empowers individuals and helps them get things done in their community and online.

The PledgeBank website features a gentle purple color scheme, with a light purple navigation bar and easy to read tabs to show users each area on the website. An in depth FAQ is available to provide users with more information on PledgeBank and what it can do. A search feature is also available to allow users to search for a pledge that they may want to participate in. The site is available in many different languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian, making it user friendly on an international level.

To begin, a new user can click the “Start your pledge” link in the purple box along the right hand side of the homepage. The next page asks the user to fill out information about their pledge. Details like what they will do, how many others need to participate and what those others must do as well as a deadline for signing up. An optional field is available to give the user more room to share information about the task and why they feel it is important. Users can also create a short name for their pledge to make the URL easier to share. The last portion of the form asks for a few personal details, including name and email address.

PledgeBank is intended to be more of a charity website, allowing users to help each other out. It is not intended to give users a way to make money. Adding a new pledge or agreeing to participate in an existing one costs nothing. The company behind PledgeBank is a charitable organization, so naturally no fees are required. The site operates entirely on the willingness of others to help out.

Anyone with a community task they would like to complete can appreciate PledgeBank. Although users will still have to advertise their PledgeBank pledge to start getting takers for it (the pledge will not appear in the search results on the site until a few people sign up), it is still another way to get the word out that help is needed. PledgeBank can also be used as a central go to place to direct people interested in helping out.

• Search available pledges using keywords
• Agree to participate in a pledge
• Post a pledge of your choosing
• Browse PledgeBank in multiple languages
• Review successful pledges previously listed on PledgeBank

Visit www.pledgebank.com