Match Wits With Hollywood — And Win Money for Your Favorite Cause

It isn’t often that the nonprofit world gets the spotlight on prime-time television.

But beginning Monday, the network TV landscape will be dominated by messages about volunteering and charity, as 90 shows will include these themes in plot lines and promotional spots.

In the process, some lucky organizations or causes are expected to be thrust into the spotlight, as their efforts will be mentioned in popular shows such as Parks and Recreation, Desperate Housewives, and Grey’s Anatomy.

But what about the thousands of other groups that have great causes?

The Chronicle is working to give other nonprofit groups the chance to spread the word about their activities through its VolunTV Challenge.

From now until October 26, our audience is invited to create their own ideas of how volunteerism could be incorporated into their favorite TV shows. They can submit those ideas through short videos or through written entries.

Videos can be posted to the Chronicle’s Facebook Fan page or its YouTube channel, as well as through your organization’s own social networks.

What’s more, the Chronicle is offering a grand prize of $5,000 to the person who submits the most creative entry. That prize will be donated to the winner’s charity of choice. Two $2,500 prizes are also available.

Watch the video below for more details. And visit the official contest page to submit your entries.