When U2 postponed its 2010 world tour so Bono could have back surgery, then-eight-year-old Nathaniel Crossley of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, started the "Bono: I Got Your Back!" project, collecting cards and greeting for the recouperating singer and amassing more than 1,700 "Likes" on Facebook.

Nathaniel is now using "Bono: I Got Your Back!" to raise money for African Well Fund. He's currently selling T-shirts featuring the AWF logo on the front and his group's logo on the back, and is also accepting donations. The funds Nathaniel raises will benefit a project that will improve access to clean water and sanitation to students at 30 schools in Malawi and Tanzania. Learn more about the project here.

Nathaniel Crossley and Bono.JPG
Nathaniel met Bono prior to U2's May 2011 concert in Denver.

Nathaniel recently answered a few questions about this fundraiser.

Why did you decide to hold a fundraiser for AWF?
I wanted to help kids my age and families have clean drinking water. I also wanted to do something like Ryan Hreljac did for Ryan's Well [a clean water foundation started by then six-year-old Hreljac in 1998].

How are you raising money?
I am selling T-shirts through Eddie Farrell at Scripture T-Shirts, and also [through] donations from family and friends. The shirts are $30 dollars and [are available] in a lot of colors and sizes. Fifteen dollars [from each T-shirt] will go to my project. I'm also making a model of a water well to show my school what one looks like and what people in Africa drink. I have some more ideas, too.

What are your goals?
My goal is [to] raise between $2,000 to $5,000 and build my first water well in Africa.

You launched "Bono: I Got Your Back!" in 2010 after Bono had back surgery. Why have you kept the group going?
So people can support their favorite band members if they get hurt and show support, they could do the same thing that I did for Bono.

What are some your proudest moments with the group?
When I met Bono and The Edge in Denver. I also met Dallas, Stewart, Paul, Joe and a lot of people with U2 who knew about my page. Also, I met a lot of people who knew me from the page and they are all of my friends.

Why is it important for you to be involved with charitable giving?
To help others and get people to do the same.

What advice can you offer to other kids and families who are interested in raising money for charity?
Do something fun that you will enjoy and not like something you won't enjoy in raising money.

Earlier this year, African Well Fund announced its goal of reaching the $1 million donation total mark by the end of 2011. The numbers have been crunched and AWF is now at $985,983.22 in total funds raised since our founding, leaving $14,016.78 to raise to reach the $1 million goal.

There are several things you can do to help AWF reach that goal. By making donations to AWF via GuideStar, you not only help AWF hit the $1 million mark but also compete for a $5,000 prize. You can also make holiday purchases and donations to get AWF closer to its target.

Thanks to the support of many generous bidders, the African Well Fund raised $1,111.01 during the 7th Annual Got Water? online auction. These funds will be used for the construction of clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa, and have also brought AWF closer to reaching its goal of raising $1 million.

If you would like to make holiday purchases or donations to support AWF this year, click here for more information.

Your online purchases and donations this holiday season can help African Well Fund both reach its goal of raising $1 million and fund more clean water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

To purchase well shares, limited-edition prints and water bottles from the AWF online store, click here.

To purchase AWF logo items including T-shirts, mugs and iPhone cases from Zazzle, click here.

To purchase holiday cards designed by Elsha Stockseth with a portion of sales benefiting AWF, click here.

To make purchases from affiliates Amazon.com and iTunes and earn AWF a percentage of the sale, click here.

To make purchases and get coupon codes for over 1,000 online retailers through GoodShop and earn AWF will earn a percentage of the sale by indicating that you support African Well Fund (Schenectady, NY), click here.

To make holiday donations through GuideStar and help AWF compete for a $5,000 prize, click here.

By making your regular holiday donation to the African Well Fund via the "Donate Now' button on our GuideStar page, you can help AWF win $5,000.

Through the GuideStar-KIMBIA 2011 Giving Season Giveaway, the registered nonprofit organization that gets the most donations between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 will win a $5,000 donation. Each supporter can make up to five donations for a minimum of $15 per donation in the time period to count toward the contest.

Your donations, and the $5,000 prize, will get AWF that much closer to reaching the $1 million donation mark.

To make a donation to AWF via GuideStar, click here.

Recent Assets

  • Nathaniel Crossley and Bono.JPG
  • Elsha Stockseth 2011 Holiday Card.jpg
  • chip-lara.jpg
  • Ken Braley Punk for Peace.jpg
  • Punk for Peace.jpg
  • DSC01868.jpg
  • P1030447.jpg
  • Angela Martens Diane Yoder Ghana.jpg
  • Rob Trigalet in Uganda
  • African Well Fund.jpg

Monthly Archives