I agree with what some other wrote - this needs to be driven by local businesses that have a stake in being a part of Boston and giving back to the community. You've said it yourself - to get consumers to give you need to tug at the heart strings and with all the other causes out there will fixing Boston Common really do it? Maybe some people would give at the register but you have to overcome the feeling that I assume most people have - "the city should pay for that."

But local businesses, or national businesses with local footprints (like Trader Joes) could produce a groundswell of support. If the campaign was pervasive enough and the businesses could wear it like a badge of honor - "We're proudly part of the 'save the Common' coalition" - then that would increase visibility and educate consumers as well. You could even set up contributor levels - some businesses would be gold and others would be silver.

Of course, setting that up would require a lot of resources, but that's another way to get the community involved, as well.

Thanks, Joe. January's probably good - I'd have at most 4 and not sure that's enough or if I could get them all interested. Jan will give me time to plan it and socialize it with everyone.

I agree with Megan about B2B being "Cause Branding" territory. Granted, we are just starting out on our path, but as we choose which vendors to work with for both short term and on going relationships, we are naturally drawn to those with a strong social commitment, even if it's just us learning that they contribute money back into their own communities. We feel it only supports our brand to be aligned with other socially conscious companies.