USA Today reports on the start Wednesday of the second Twestival, an international event that brings together users of the social-media site Twitter to raise money for selected charities.

The first Twestival, in February, raised about $250,000 for the nonprofit Charity:Water. Twestival’s originator, Amanda Rose, said the current event, taking place in some 130 cities worldwide through Sunday, aims to collect $400,000, with local organizers selecting the target causes.

The Christian Science Monitor offers a broader look at how nonprofit groups are using social media to raise money and awareness, going beyond Twitter and Facebook to embrace tools such as video, blogging, and online microlending.