I have some links about “philanthroprenuership” on my site here.
This is, the essence of why I am in business. I have two fundamental values I hold in being an entreprenuer, no matter how great my success or failure may be at the present time.
1- To make my life and idea life and the greatest expression of what it can be.
No amount of work, or cause or anything is worth it if it ultimately does not contibute to the ultimate currency of happiness. Be it service, a cause, money, work, or play. My business must start with the end in mind of creating an ideal lifestyle for myself, and drastically imporving the quality of life of those whom it touches. I have to say though, that with out true service to others, and seeking to improve charitably, my life would be far from ideal. Thus the second core value…
2- To make the world a better place and to have an impact at levels of mass and individual significance.
There is no sense (or true possibility for that matter) in elevating your self without elevating others. In fact, I believe (while I may not live any of this perfect, it is the ideal value) that it is only possible to elevate your self by elevating others. Often the greatest beneficiary in a charitable transaction is the giver, not the receiver. Regardless, I see entrepreneurship as a means to the end of making an impact for good in peoples lives at levels of significance that effect positive change. Imagine the possibilities that are created and the ever growing crescendo/butterfly effect of assisting a town that had no access to internet or electricity or education to gain it. The impact of making possible clean water where there was none, or possibly more important making available sanitation where there was none.
I am writing this as an introduction to an inspiring example of these very concepts. I love to hear and see the new ideas, perspectives, and predictions that come out of TED Talks. Today, I came across this video which inspired this post. It speaks to the fact that Philanthropy is not just for those who have a foundation or a lot of money. But rather that we are entering an era where we will truly crowd source philanthropic initiatives, and this is perhaps one of the single greatest shifts we have ever see in collective perspective. For the first time in a long time we are beggining to be able to make massive changes at individual levels of significance, because of individual participation and impact.
Katherine Fulton, shares 5 models of new philanthropy, you’ll be amazed at what she has found.
Please watch this video, and see who you are and what your vision is at the end. I am posting this because I sincerely care about it, and this is a big part of me, my mission and vision. I would sincerely like to hear your point of view, please comment below or talk to me about it.
Katherine Fulton’s team at Monitor Group has been tracking these changes, and she has become an eloquent advocate for the “New Philanthropy,” surprising audiences with her insights on an underreported phenomenon of momentous significance.
As president of Monitor Institute, she works with today’s most imaginative, entrepreneurial leaders (not just in philanthropy, but also in business and government) to pioneerbreakthrough next practices in how complex social problems are framed, confronted, funded and ultimately solved
-Ted