In Anil Patel's world, there's time for art

Anil Patel has come up with a unique way to help artists and his community at the same time.

Timeraiser, the charitable organization he founded in Toronto in 2002, is designed as a live auction forum for emerging artists – but with a twist. Instead of offering money, the prospective art buyers bid chunks of time that they pledge to a not-for-profit organization in exchange for an original work. They get to take home the art after the time they committed is fulfilled.

"Timeraiser is like speed-dating for volunteerism," explains Patel, a 38-year-old former resident of Chatham, Ont. "People come to our event, meet with dozens of non-profits. Once they match their skills to their needs, people can bid."