Donating by Instant Messaging and Emailing

Though we're most visible after hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and tornadoes, we also respond to the needs of families affected by destructive home fires every day. You don't have to get the nation's attention to get ours. Even if it involves just one person or one family, a disaster can be devastating if it happens to you.

The i'm Initiative is a program that connects you with the disaster relief efforts of the American Red Cross through Windows LiveTM Messenger and Hotmail. By participating in the i'm Initiative and selecting the Red Cross as your charity of choice, you will generate funds for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund with every instant message conversation and email you send using i'm. These funds won't come from your pocket, but from Microsoft, who will share a portion of the program's advertising revenue with the Red Cross.

With no set limit on the amount donated, the more i'm conversations and emails you send, the more you will help the Red Cross respond to disasters of every size and scope. The Red Cross is guaranteed a minimum donation of $100,000 by Microsoft during this year of the program.  

There is no fee for joining or using Windows Live Messenger and Hotmail, and signing up is quick and easy. Visit http://im.live.com to join.