Capturing the Art of Giving

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business Spotlight.

Small Business Spotlight: Fotolanthropy

Who: Katie Jenkins Norris, founder

What: A non-profit organization comprised of photographers and filmmakers working to capture true stories of families or individuals that have faced hard times.

Where: Dallas, Texas

When: 2011

How:  The nonprofit is funded by Jenkins Norris’ product, Fotostrap, a made-in-America genuine leather photo strap. Fifteen percent of all Fotostrap profits are donated to funding Fotolanthropy. She got the idea to start the company after receiving a call from a mother seeking portraits of her son, before he began treatment for his brain tumor.

Stories are nominated from across the country to Fotolanthropy’s site each day.

“We capture inspiring true stories. These kinds of stories tend to come from people that have faced hard times,” Jenkins Norris said. “We have worked with stories of adoption, cancer, natural disaster, infertility, special needs and even war heroes.”

Quote from the owner: “We are doing well, and are just so happy to bring people unique stories.”