"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always 20 years behind the times." – Mark Twain

I don't know about you but I have to be honest – every time I hear this quote I am completely perturbed.  Cincinnatians, and others for that matter, reference it all the time.  Sometimes I hear people say we're only 10 years behind, but the way I see it, 10, 20 or even one year behind is unacceptable to me.

That's why I need to tell you that in terms of 21st Century philanthropy, Cincinnati is not far behind – in fact we're trying ways of active giving that are at the head of the pack. We have a burgeoning hotbed of venture philanthropy and social enterprise right here in River City!

You may be asking yourself, "What on earth is venture philanthropy"?  Venture philanthropy takes concepts and techniques from venture capital finance and business management and applies them to achieving philanthropic goals instead of profit goals.

Simply put, venture philanthropy is characterized by an entrepreneurial spirit, a focus on ROI, engagement by individuals in giving financial and intellectual resources and multi-year commitments, to push an organization forward strategically and operationally.

Venture philanthropy can take a variety of forms, but the two most popular are giving collaboratives and social enterprises. 

Giving collaboratives, also known as giving circles, are formed so that members can pool financial resources for charitable purposes and work together to make a strategic difference around a particular issue or subject. 

Wiki describes social enterprises as social mission-driven organizations which trade in goods or services for a social purpose. Their goal is to deliver a triple bottom line - meeting financial, social and environmental performance targets.

You are probably thinking, "There is no way Cincinnati has anything that resembles these types of interesting organizations!  Our hometown is too conservative."  How wrong you are. They are here!

Social Venture Partners Cincinnati is a giving collaborative of accomplished individuals who care passionately about making the world a better place. These individuals actively give their time and resources to benefit our community.  Partners bring their collective expertise, financial resources, professional skills, life experience and creativity to work in partnership with area nonprofits to help create long-term change.  Sure they contribute to the community which is fantastic, but having fun is a big part of the equation for this group as well.

SVP Cincinnati launched last November as a program of InterAct for Change and is one of 26 cities affiliated with Social Venture Partners International, based in Seattle. The amazing SVPI model taps into resources from its national and international affiliate network.

Yep, Cincinnati has something the hip northwest has.

In the social enterprise department, the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati recently sent out a Request for Proposal to award grants to local nonprofits treating the severely mentally ill.  The goal is to uncover opportunities to extend their services and increase their revenue consistent with their organizational missions.  So far there have been seven grants totaling over $926,000 for developing businesses to increase their triple bottom line.

These aren't the only examples. mpact 100 (a giving circle of women each contributing $1,000 annually – started in the 1990's), Give Back Cincinnati, Community Wealth Ventures, in addition to SVP Cincinnati, are moving Cincinnati rapidly forward into new types of philanthropy – and new ways to solve our community’s issues.  There are lots of ways for YOU to plug in - or you can always organize your own giving collaborative. 

Venture philanthropy, giving collaboratives and social enterprises are decidedly part of the future of philanthropy and the future is here NOW.  It is no longer just about large foundations writing checks. It's about passionate individuals joining forces to make a difference.  Are you ready to help debunk the Mark Twain quote?

I am!

Penny Friedman
COO InterAct for Change

InterAct for Change is a full-service philanthropic organization that applies a fresh, bold approach to charitable giving. We understand that individuals, families, and organizations have distinct passions, beliefs, and ideals that influence their charitable activities, with an end goal that could be different for each. InterAct has developed a highly personalized and flexible approach that meets the philosophical and emotional needs of each client. InterAct’s mission is to inspire, lead, and support active giving and innovative philanthropic solutions.

 
 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m realizing us Baby Boomers are going to be living a lot longer than we may have thought.  And we also want to be active longer than generations that came before us. Sure, we may want to retire from our official jobs, but we don’t want to retire from life.

Many of you Boomers (and others for that matter) may be saying to yourself, “what am I going to do after I retire?”  Maybe you know some other Boomers who have already retired and seemed unfulfilled. They had these grand ideas about retirement, but it’s not turning out the way they imagined. This is especially true for those individuals who had a successful professional career.  18 holes on the golf course everyday is not their idea of an ‘active’ retirement.  They are used to goals and measurement and drive!

I wrote last time about 21st Century Philanthropy, but what I want to talk about this time is how you can be a 21st Century Philanthropist.

They are everywhere – these philanthropists.  The premiere example is Bill Gates.  To paraphrase a recent New York Times editorial, Bill Gates is starting his full time career as a humanitarian, leaving behind software bugs to swat the kinds that cause malaria.

Being a philanthropist in the 21st Century is a lot like this example. Leaving behind your career and starting your encore career.  Maybe you’ve heard the term.  It’s about having a purpose-driven job.  Letting something that you are passionate about and where you can make a difference become your second career. It’s called a jobby.  A job that you are as passionate about as a hobby.

There are websites for encore careers looking to reach out to Boomers, there are awards that highlight this, and now even editorials on the subject in the New York Times (Geezers Doing Good).

Are any of you tired of same old same old?  Would you like to use your second career for a purpose and to make a change in something you care about?

I firmly believe there is a cause and/or organization that every person can identify with in such a way that you become compelled to be involved. 

What I find interesting is that as Boomers we may be programmed to think we have to wait for our encore career to do something we are totally passionate about.  Studies show we are workaholics with typically one career path.  But not the next generation.  Xers and Ys are looking for a bigger meaning in their life and their work. The saying goes - we live to work, while the next generations are working to live. They are focused on challenges and making a difference.  They are also much more likely to have multiple careers, many of which could be purpose-driven.

So Boomers: I challenge you.  We can do this now.  Retired or not, we have the skill, time and resources to make a difference.  To translate our hobbies into something that can create change in our community.  Why are you waiting?  What’s holding you back?

Although we can’t come close to the difference Bill Gates can make in the world, we can make a significant impact right here in our community.

“What Have You Done for me Lately?” 

That former hit song by Janet Jackson has always made me stop and think. Its not about what people do for you, it’s all about what you are doing for others – more importantly what you’re doing for Greater Cincinnati.

Ask yourself, what have you done for your neighborhood, your Alma Mater, your city lately?  Anything?

Everyone has a collective responsibility to maintain and grow the health and well-being of this community.  That means you!  Does that mean you have to give some monetary donation to every organization that asks? Of course not.  What it does mean is that each of us should be giving to something that matters to us.  And no, it does not mean you need to give a lot of money to make an impact.  In many cases making a difference doesn’t take as much as you’d think.

There are some of you who are probably listing off in your mind all the reasons why you don’t have the financial resources to give.  Monthly bills, rising gas costs, children – the list can go on an on.

So if this is you, let me ask then, do you have time?  If you don’t have the ability to make monetary donations, do you have available time?  Giving to an organization or the community can mean giving your time. 

Be Active with your philanthropy! 

The landscape of philanthropy is changing. It’s no longer just about the traditional models of fundraising events, capital campaigns, or simple check writing at the end of the month or year. 

Philanthropy in the 21st Century is much different.  It includes social networking, giving while living, and groups collaborating with their time and money to support a single cause or organization.

Giving is no longer about check writing and walking away. It’s about being involved, being engaged, and also getting a return on your investment.  Not a monetary return of course but seeing results of what your resources are doing.  This type of giving has such an emotional return, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this your whole life (or perhaps you have and already know).

How would you feel if you actually became involved? Imagine what your active giving would look like and how it might change something that needs changing.

Imagine igniting your passion for change and helping a cause!  InterAct can help you find your passion.

Penny Friedman
COO InterAct for Change

InterAct for Change is a full-service philanthropic organization that applies a fresh, bold approach to charitable giving. We understand that individuals, families, and organizations have distinct passions, beliefs, and ideals that influence their charitable activities, with an end goal that could be different for each. InterAct has developed a highly personalized and flexible approach that meets the philosophical and emotional needs of each client. InterAct’s mission is to inspire, lead, and support active giving and innovative philanthropic solutions.