Philanthropy News Feed

Dave Pollard:

The idea that we are individually and collectively responsible for the well-being of all life in our community and through it for all-life-on-Earth, now and for generations to come, is unfathomable.

He has this filed under "Preparing for Civilization's End." Palin supporters will say we must defend what we own. The strong prevail, the weak perish.

The Big Idea of 5 for Fairness

OUR VISION is a world where girls share fully in the best humanity has to offer: education, human rights and the opportunity to live healthy, productive and meaningful lives.

OUR STRATEGY is unique. When members join our group, they contribute a minimum of $5 to our Grant Account. As the Account balance grows, members of the community create Teams for organizations they believe deserve a 5 for Fairness grant. When the Account reaches $5000, the community votes where to send the grant, choosing from among the five Teams with the most supporters. Then the whole process starts over again.

We hope you'll learn more about us and then JOIN US!

How many social entrepreneurs have dreamed of creating an "ebay of philanthropy," or an efficient and effective marketplace for social capital? Yet, I personally kindle far more to a site like 5 for Fairness with a point of view, a community, and the spirit, not of a marketplace, but of a living room where one meets with friends. A women's consciousness raising group might be a better model than is a "social capital market" for curing what ails our body politic. "Be the change you seek in the world." Breathe in anomie, breathe out community. Give where givers and recipients embrace, rather than shake hands. Give where you might imagine singing or dancing. I learned these truths from women who taught me.

The Big Idea o 5 for Fairness

OUR VISION is a world where girls share fully in the best humanity has to offer: education, human rights and the opportunity to live healthy, productive and meaningful lives.

OUR STRATEGY is unique. When members join our group, they contribute a minimum of $5 to our Grant Account. As the Account balance grows, members of the community create Teams for organizations they believe deserve a 5 for Fairness grant. When the Account reaches $5000, the community votes where to send the grant, choosing from among the five Teams with the most supporters. Then the whole process starts over again.

We hope you'll learn more about us and then JOIN US!

How many social entrepreneurs have dreamed of creating an "ebay of philanthropy," or an efficient and effective marketplace for social capital? Yet, I personally kindle far more to a site like 5 for Fairness with a point of view, a community, and the spirit, not of a marketplace, but of a living room where one meets with friends. A women's consciousness raising group might be a better model than is a "social capital market" for curing what ails our body politic. "Be the change you seek in the world." Breathe in anomie, breathe out community. Give where givers and recipients embrace, rather than shake hands. Give where you might imagine singing or dancing. I learned these truths from women who taught me.

Folio:

The management team at Irvine, California-based Entrepreneur magazine is gearing up for a product launch that puts the team outside its usual business-minded comfort zone. This spring, the magazine is planning to launch SecondAct.com, a Web site targeted to an older audience that’s looking to begin a “second act” in life.

If life expectancy is 85-90 these days, then "retiring" at 55-65 leaves a lot of living to do, and perhaps the second act can top the first, c.f, Bill Gates. Counseling entrepreneurs about what comes next is interesting and challenging, particularly if they plan to sell a business and begin a philanthropic program or project. Getting the financial, tax, legal, lifestyle, and philanthropic elements to all add up properly is a team effort for an attorney, CPA, financial advisor, philanthropic consultant and perhaps a life coach. I call it planning for the "proto-philanthropist" on Main Street. The goal is to get the good financial and business exit planning done while also getting the client to move up the philanthropic learning curve as quickly as possible, so that he or she achieves the desired social impact in his or her second act. Of course, "philanthropy" may be just one social impact option among others. A second act might include starting a new business, writing a novel, running for public office, volunteering, teaching, or serving in a nonprofit leadership role.

The conversation that precedes such a major life choice - today that conversation in mostly with financial minds. Ideally, such conversations would also include a broader ranging Socratic elicitation of "the buried life," as Matthew Arnold once called it, the latent and better self. Where should such conversations be held? A business office, a house of worship, a school after hours? An alumni cruise? Nonprofits hoping to capitalize on this emerging philanthropic trend might give that some thought. With whom would the conversation best be held? Perhaps with peers on a similar quest within a particular values tradition or covenanted community. Or, maybe on a businesslike footing with fellow business owners? YPO, Rotary, Kiwanis. Who could best facilitate? I would guess that it would be someone trained in the liberal arts, psychology, or in pastoral work. Aids to reflection might include, say, "The Road Not Taken," and so many other works of the entrepreneurial imagination. Too many a protagonist in the third and final act awakens to a recognition that is comic or tragic. We live blind to the purpose of our own lives. We discover who we are at the end only to rue it. Provide Provide.  Still the second act leaves room for at least one more productive delusion.

Wow! Thanks so the more than 25 of you who submitted an entry to our mini-contest in search of words that describe philanthropy. You can click on the link above to see a Wordle made from the entries.

The entries covered a lot of ground. Here’s a couple that jumped out at me:

By Jeanine Buford

Gracious

When it’s at its best, philanthropy is gracious, graceful, and administered with a light touch.

When we think of grace, apart from the religious connotations, we think of support given with seriousness of purpose, but with a light touch. Graciousness supports without judgment, without pity, and without self-satisfaction. Gracious graceful philanthropy is humble, enlightening, and gives equally to the giver and receiver.

By Christine Egger

Empathetic

Great philanthropy is an expression of empathy — of recognizing oneself in another, and responding compassionately to our shared experiences.

Empathy requires understanding, or knowing, another’s story. Seeing ourselves in it. When philanthropy follows from empathy — from that emotional point of recognition — we have a better chance of effecting positive change when start to move resources in the name of helping.

By Helen Brunner

Weaving

Philanthropic weaving is a practice that forms a connected whole, one that creates webs and networks across issues and types of work, similarities and differences, forming a resilient movement.

Philanthropists enjoy a bird’s eye view and have relationships with a wide variety of leaders, organizations and other philanthropists. Connecting the dots and working toward creating networks among those with common values and (sometimes) shared purpose supports sustainable change.

By Dien Yuen

Practical

Philanthropy is aspirational and dreams of doing big things. As we try to connect these higher, lofty goals to the day-to-day work, whether it is with our grantees or donors, we need to do it in a way that is meaningful and practical for them. We can’t ask a two-person shop to deliver a 10 page logic model. At the same time, we shouldn’t encourage philanthropists to tackle issues in ways we understand them to be. Philanthropy is a contact sport. It needs to be lived and practiced – everyday in practical, simple ways.

By Amy Kincaid

Humble

Humble means understanding deeply one’s role and how to fit into and onto the production.

Humble philanthropy knows “no small actors, just small parts.” It knows it’s place in the ensemble–key and critical, but not the only or most important. It plays appropriately to the size of the stage and the house. It understands the house acoustics and knows how (and when to project). It draws from technique, experience, hard work, and improvisation. It amplifies the energy from the text, the other actors, crew, director, producer, and audience.

By Charles Maclean

Juicy

Juicy philanthropy fires neurons and heartbeats for the giver and receiver.

Brain scans and neuro-chemical analysis indicate that “the givers high” has a scientific basis. Juicy philanthropy produces an upward spiral where the giver and receiver engage in “pay it forward” infectious acts of kindness. The distinction between the giver and receiver is erased. There just might be a caring gene or at least a pre-disposition to care and give. It is through giving and receiving that we discover who we are . . . and what matters to us.

You can see all of the entries here.

As promised, we’re awarding a $50 gift certificate to Vittana (microfinance loans for students in developing countries) to one randomly chosen entry (we used Random.org).

And the winner is…

By Emily Rushing

Connected

Being connected with others for maximum impact makes good philanthropy great.

Personal giving is satisfying in a special way, but truly great things happen when the knowledge, enthusiasm, ideas and energy of many individuals come together in service of the greater good. The impact is greater on the chosen cause and on the donors, as they feel connected to their purpose and to each other.

Thanks to everyone for entering!

Tweet This Post

Imaginary Magnitude reviewing a book by J.R. Saul:
The Unconscious Civilization lays out in dense, history-shifting references, the problems and origins of corporatism and how it has become an increasingly acceptable means to run modern societies, in spite of its history of stifling democracy and rewarding conformism.

Perhaps civil society is the alternative to a society managed by companies, lobbyists, think tanks, advertising, and media. The case in point would be the tea-baggers, I suppose. What they call for is more Freedom. The most recent progress in Freedom has been in giving companies the Freedom to spend as much as needed in getting liberals and conservatives elected who espouse the cause of Freedom. Wealth Bondage has strong bipartisan support. Philanthropy will save Corporatism. From what? I suppose from self-awareness.   

Gloria Steinem in Superbowl sexism watch.

Cornell West on You Tube posing as a Populist from whatever Ivy Hall casts Obama as a colorful caretaker of the elite. The saddest thing to me is that Obama could himself have done much better than the pompous Cornell West, himself a cosseted black man, with big hair, in making this speech. Both are happy to serve their appointed roles in Wealth Bondage, no less than Palin, the Robert's court and both houses of Congress. Imagery aside, let us not bite the hand that feeds us.

First Possible World

• GNP is X
• 90% of the population is addicted to gambling, drugs, alcohol, or some other vice
• Media are sensationalistic and at 6th grade level
• Politicians are demogogues in the service of special interests
• Economy produces toxins that cause rising autism, cancer, and apparently stupidity

Second Possible World

• GNP is .75%X
• Population is happy, healthy, engaged in civic activities and the arts
• Media educate and uplift civic discourse
• Politicians act in the public interest, held hostage by an informed electorate
• Economy measures negative externalities and reduces them over time.

We have the first world and justify it as freedom. This is a massive swindle. MBA are our high priests or metaphysicians in service to the First of these worlds. Philanthropy will save capitalism, meaning it will prevent the Second Possible World. The World We Want - to write that the author consulted the richest people he could find. The author is a friend of mine and consulted me too. I was the token "nonrich" (as G.W. Bush used to say) citizen, speaking on behalf of everyone else on the planet with net worth below, say, $25 million. Perhaps the best course would be to replace philanthropy with a "value-subtracted tax" on all who impose public costs in pursuit of private benefits. Those who palliate The First World by invoking a double bottom line have no such value-subtracted tax in mind. Their double line is double talk. To create such self serving bull and to be well paid for it is a key feature of the First World. In the Second Possible World, these double bottom line apologists will become poets, harmlessly expending their creativity in writing sonnets on themes like The Dialogue of Flesh and Spirit. There will be no money in it for them, but it will be good for their soul.

Excellent post, if I must say so myself. Quite instructive, I am sure, to the educated reading public at large. Now, I am off to the Dumpster for a stiff drink with my disreputable friends, imaginary as they may be.

On Wednesday, I asked readers to submit words that they thought best described great philanthropy. You will find all the details here. On Monday, we’ll be randomly selecting a reader who submitted a word and give them a $50 gift certificate to Vittana.org (microfinance for student loans in developing countries).

Here’s a couple of entries so far:

By Rich Polt

Passion

Passion is the lifeblood of good philanthropy because it sustains ones giving over the course of a lifetime.

Effective philanthropy, like anything in life, requires experimentation and long term commitment. Some things work. Some don’t. But without passion as an underlying motivator, no one will have the gumption, stamina, and drive to weather failure and truly make a difference.

By Emily Rushing

Connected

Being connected with others for maximum impact makes good philanthropy great.

Personal giving is satisfying in a special way, but truly great things happen when the knowledge, enthusiasm, ideas and energy of many individuals come together in service of the greater good. The impact is greater on the chosen cause and on the donors, as they feel connected to their purpose and to each other.

By Charles Maclean

Juicy

Juicy philanthropy fires neurons and heartbeats for the giver and receiver.

Brain scans and neuro-chemical analysis indicate that “the givers high” has a scientific basis. Juicy philanthropy produces an upward spiral where the giver and receiver engage in “pay it forward” infectious acts of kindness. The distinction between the giver and receiver is erased. There just might be a caring gene or at least a pre-disposition to care and give. It is through giving and receiving that we discover who we are . . . and what matters to us.

The deadline for entries is midnight (pacific time) this Sunday. I hope you’ll share your idea for the word that best describes great philanthropy. Full details on submitting an entry can be found here.

Tweet This Post

Wealth is leaving New Jersey, BC study shows - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe: "Wealth is leaving New Jersey, BC study showsFebruary 5, 2010 06:38 AM E-mail| |Comments (2)| Text size – +Globe StaffFrom 2004 through 2008, $70 billion dollars in wealth left New Jersey while the state’s charitable capacity declined by $1.13 billion, according to a new report from Boston College’s Center on

"But corporate and private donor programs are crucial to the athlete funding mix. More than 25 per cent of Own the Podium funding comes from corporate Olympic sponsors, while private contributions are being sought more than ever to complete the funding picture."

• The Overhead Question: The Future of Nonprofit Assessment and Reporting Here's the recording of the conference call I did today with Bob Ottenhoff, Guidestar, Ken Berger, Charity Navigator, Lucy Bernholtz, Blueprint R & D, Peter Campbell, TechCafeteria, Christine Egger, Social Actions, David Geilhufe, NetSuite, and Holly Ross, NTEN. (tags: philanthropy)
• Stanford Social Innovation Review : Highlights of 2009: Top Five Articles The Stanford Social Innovation Review offers fantastic, thought provoking articles. Here's their five most read articles of last year. (tags: philanthropy)
• What's Possible -The Tides Blog The Tides Foundation has launched a blog. (tags: philanthropy)
• Haiti Is a Marketing Lesson – Dan Pallotta – Harvard Business Review Dan Pallotta looks at why donors have given so much money to Haiti and makes his case that Haiti giving shows why social good needs better marketing. (tags: philanthropy)

Tweet This Post

Nonprofits Connect for Hope: "BETTER YET, she said, patients will have ready access to a variety of other services under the same roof. Also sharing 13525 Dulles Technology Drive, one of three buildings across the street from Dulles Executive Plaza, are six other nonprofit groups — Just Neighbors, which provides immigration legal services; the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia; the Housing

New Report from Knight Foundation: Contest-Driven Innovation | NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoupGlobal.org: "he John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a foundation focused on 'opportunities that can transform both communities and journalism, and help them reach their highest potential,' and is known throughout the social impact sector in large part from the Knight News Challenge, first

Boston College Researchers Design First Model to Produce Quarterly Estimates of Household Giving - Press - AFP: "Boston College Researchers Design First Model to Produce Quarterly Estimates of Household Giving(Feb. 2, 2010) Researchers at Boston College's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy have developed the first model designed to estimate future charitable giving by households on a quarterly

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Charitable giving to colleges and universities dipped by historic percentages during 2009, declining 11.9 percent to $27.85 billion, according to the Voluntary Support of Education survey released by the Council for Aid to Education. Endowments took the greatest hit, dropping by 22.3 percent for the year."

Nonprofit Finance for Hard Times: Leadership Strategies When Economies Falter
Susan U. Raymond, Ph.D.
ISBN: 978-0-470-49010-5
Hardcover
195 pages

 

 

During this time of upheaval and instability with the country's financial markets and economy, you might be wondering how your nonprofit can emerge stronger from this unprecedented turmoil and prepare for future economic cycles. Practical and timely, Nonprofit Finance for Hard Times: Leadership Strategies When Economies Falter helps your nonproft get strategic in the weak economy.

» Buy now from Amazon
» Buy direct from Wiley

Brooklyn Museum: Community: bloggers@brooklynmuseum » Survey and changes after the first year of 1stfans: "Going into our second year of 1stfans, Shelley and I wanted to do a survey to see how members felt about the first year of the program. We knew that we’d hear a variety of responses based on how people used their membership, but we were determined to see if we could identify any trends that

• Pepsi Refresh Project Pepsi, working with GOOD, has launched an online giving contest. This contest is what Pepsi is doing instead of Super Bowl advertising. They've clearly paid attention to the Chase giving contest problems. This contest features a leader board as the main element of the home page (the lack of a leader board was the source of much of the Chase criticism). (tags: philanthropy)
• Individual Giving Model: Forecast Paul Schervish and his team have built a model for forecasting national charitable giving by individuals. (tags: philanthropy)
• The Atlantic Philanthropies | Atlantic: News: News: Code of Ethics I'm sure it is just a coincident, but interesting to see The Atlantic Philanthropies post their Code of Ethics days after Glass Pockets launches (the public availability of a code of ethics is part of the Glass Pockets score card). Note that Glass Pockets has been adding more foundations since my post last week. (tags: philanthropy)
• Alliance Magazine Interview – Martin Brookes Alliance Magazine interviews Martin Brookes, the CEO of New Philanthropy Capital. (tags: philanthropy)
• World Economic Forum – Rethinking Philanthropy A synopsis of the Rethinking Philanthropy session at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos. (Disclosure: I'm a member of the World Economic Forum's council on Philanthropy & Social Investing.) (tags: philanthropy)
• How to make your donations to Haiti charities count – USATODAY.com USA Today joins the parade of media outlets encouraging readers to give smart, not just give. (tags: philanthropy)
• Why "Social Capital Markets" Could Be a Really Bad Idea | Philanthropy Central Clara Miller of the Nonprofit Finance Fund responds to my debate with Michael Edwards on the relevancy of social capital markets. (tags: philanthropy)
• The true engine of job creation… « Fuel for the Field Carla Javits, the head of REDF, says that investing in social enterprises is one of the best ways to spur job creation. Her logic is compelling. (tags: philanthropy)
• What We Can Learn From Idealist | Social Velocity Nell Edgington goes against the crowd and suggests that Idealist's impassioned appeal for emergency funding won't save them. Ami Dar responds in the comments. (tags: philanthropy)
• Seth's Blog: Hunters and Farmers As I read Seth Godin's take on how some people are "hunters" and some are "farmers," I'm struck by the way his descriptions remind me of different people and organizations in philanthropy. Both hunters and farmers are needed of course, but each group will work towards their shared goals in very different ways. (tags: philanthropy)
• Doctors find wrong cure for fund designation problem – Future Fundraising Now I think Jeff Brooks nails why nonprofits (and in my opinion, the whole industry of donor advising) should remember that it is not their job to tell donors how to give, but instead offer them educated choices. (tags: philanthropy)

Tweet This Post