25 Random Things... About Philanthropy

There are a number of things that I can dork out to. Philanthropy is high on that list... Right up there next to the US Constitution, network theory, and Facebook. Which is why I could not be more giddy that it is February, which means that the Maine Women's Fund community is talking about philanthropy -- from the New Girls Network site visits to our community wide event, the February 28th Spotlight on Philanthropy. So, in the spirit of Facebook chain letters, here is a list of 25 Random Things that inspire me  about philanthropy. What inspires you?

1. Philanthropy really came into its own following WWII. Philanthropists, like Rockefeller and Carnegie, funded new ideas to social problems. If these experiments proved successful, the government would adopt them as a social service.

2. When most people think philanthropists, they think white, male, and wealthy (Gates, Buffett, Carnegie, Ford).

3. Which is why it is exceptionally interesting that ~80% of nonprofit funding comes from individuals giving less than $1000.

4. And even more interesting that women make 60% of these decisions.

5. And even more interesting that non-Caucasians give more per capita than Caucasians.

6. The transition from a handful of very wealthy philanthropists to 'everyone being a philanthropist" has been referred to as the democratization of philanthropy.

7. Democratizing Philanthropy. Just the term gives me the shivers. It is evidenced by the following:

7a. Community Foundations are the fastest  growing form of philanthropy, right up there with Women's Funds.

7b. Platforms like MaineShare, Network for Good, and GlobalGiving are growing their donation volume by leaps and bounds. If you haven't already checked them out, you should.

8. Because social change doesn't occur simply through social services, philanthropic donations are no longer just intended for nonprofit activities. Through organizations like KIVA, donors can provide small loans to help women and men around the world start businesses and catapult themselves out of poverty.

9. Wouldn't it be cool if the Maine Women's Fund donors could provide small loans to all our women micro entrepreneurs around the state?

10. Along those lines, the Maine Women's Fund invests a portion of its assets in the Genesis Community Loan Fund which makes below market loans to organizations providing affordable housing and community facilities in under-served neighborhoods.

11. Bill Gates recently coined the term "Creative Capitalism," which, while not a new idea, is an interesting idea. The basis is that companies can "do good" by "doing well." That is, by serving under-served markets through traditional business/market channels, a company can help those under-served markets develop economically and socially.

12. I believe that the tenets of Web 2.0 can make philanthropy better. As evidenced by a lot of things... but my personal favorites include our 2007/2008 grant making process, Beth Canter's experiments, and the really innovative partnership between the Case Foundation, GlobalGiving, Parade Magazine, and Network for Good.

13. If you haven't noticed, I HEART Globalgiving. If there were a Nobel Prize for Philanthropy, I think it should go to Dennis Whittle and Mari Kuraishi.

14. The Tools of Web 2.0 are also making philanthropy better. Have you checked out the Maine Women's Fund group on Facebook or the Maine Women's Fund channel on You Tube?

15. Isn't it fun to think about whether donors should simply give or invest? Do you think that the definition of investing changes from donor to recipient? What do you think nonprofits think about investing?

16. I HEART blogs about philanthropy, including:

16a. www.change.org

16b. http://www.ssireview.org/opinion/

16c. http://tacticalphilanthropy.com/

17. I think THIS is one of the most spot-on editorials about what's wrong with nonprofit evaluation.

18. I believe private foundations should give away more than 5% of their assets. But I think it would be hard for the Maine Women's Fund to give away more than 5% of its assets and survive in the long run. Obviously, I'm a confused hypocrite on the subject. But at least, I'm a public hypocrite.

19. I am so proud of, and in awe of, the women who are making Million Dollar gifts to the women's funding movement. I am also proud that Maine Women's Fund was a recipient of a million dollar gift. Leading edge for sure!

20. I would LOVE to spend each day having a conversation with an inspired philanthropist. I wish everyone would find joy and pride in their giving, and... want to talk about it... with me.

21. I believe that feminine forms of leadership can bring much needed innovation and improved results to the philanthropic sector. Its one of the reasons I'm here.

22. I think defining the "public good" is one of the greatest challenges in philanthropy.

23. One of the reasons I love philanthropy is because it is in a period of change. I also love that there is one model that isn't changing (whether online or off line) -- the giving circle. A tool that enables individuals to connect, philanthropically, around a shared vision and common values. A model that is more than the sum of the individual parts.

24. I love that the Maine Women's Fund has not forgotten that above and beyond anything else, we are a giving circle.

25. As members of that giving circle, I hope that you will all join me FEBRUARY 28th for our Annual Spotlight on Philanthropy -- an opportunity for donors and grantees to come together to inform and define our annual grantmaking.

Comments

[John]

The website called Process Donations has information about nonprofit fundraising and development. http://www.processdonations.com

[Joan @ GlobalGiving]

Thanks Eli for the shout out for GlobalGiving and great post...having just come from a nonprofit/fundraising conference last week, my brain is full of factoids, and I am similarly excited about the promise of democratizing philanthropy...keep up the good work!

[Megan Stohner]

Thanks for the great post and the shout out to the Case Foundation and the great partners we love working with. I also have a personal love for everything Global Giving related, especially their great team. I recently wrote about their amazing customer service on our blog at http://www.casefoundation.org/blog/gotta-love-global-giving. Anyway, thanks again for the great blog post and for sharing this great information about giving in general!
-Megan

[Cheryl Mahoney]

Thank you for such wonderful information and thoughts on philanthropy! I especially love #3--it's so encouraging to hear about what a huge difference "small" donations really make. I work for UniversalGiving, an online non-profit connecting individuals to reputable charities to donate to or volunteer with. We often look at small donations by individuals, but all together so much gets done! If you're curious about us, we're located at www.universalgiving.org. And as to #20, if you're interested in interviewing or connecting with UniversalGiving's founder and CEO Pamela Hawley, please let me know! I know she'd be excited to talk with you and I'd be happy to put you in touch.

Wishing you all the best,
Cheryl Mahoney
cmahoney@universalgiving.org

[Zoe Dexter-Silva]

Hey Eli,
How are you? I am sorry I haven't been more in touch during my time in NYC. I have been crazy busy with school & being married. We are going on a year and a half & very happy yet hoping things will calm down a bit after I finish school this spring. I think of the fund and all of you frequently. I have been continuing my passion for philanthropy as much as possible. I have been volunteering for St. Judes, and have been apart of the Met museum's program for philanthropy for people in their 20's and thirties. I am still extremely inspired by my Cousin Katharine Dexter McCormick and have been spreading her life story. I am hoping when I am more financially able, I will continue to be able to give to my favorite causes. I will come and visit when I am in town next!
All the best,
Zoe

[Geography Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!