FP#1 - Debt forgiveness + Grantmaking Automation
Ideas & opportunities for innovative social sector leaders
Hi all,
Welcome to newsletter #1 of Future Philanthropy which will be a regular collated effort of my musings on the trends, tech & talent that will fuel the next decade of social impact. It will also feature a selection of other ‘sector insider’ opportunities that I have curated including funding opportunities, jobs, conference speaking gigs & scholarships.
These intro’s are sure to get more deeply profound, if not more witty as the weeks and months go by too…
What I’m Writing
Foundational forgiveness - Buying debt to build new futures. (4 min read)
Should philanthropy be looking more strategically at acquiring & forgiving debt as a way to lift up its communities? Could paying off things like medical debt have a bigger effect on the community and issues of equity than the suggested forgiving of student debt?
What if we took grantmaking out of the hands of grant makers? (11 min read)
Can automation & transparency tackle the power dynamics and inefficiencies that plague organized philanthropy? Will smart contracts play a leading role in a much needed process overhaul?
What I’m Reading
The Pandemic Has Erased Entire Categories of Friendships by Amanda Mull (11 min read)
After a year of distancing I really miss the gentle background hum of society. There’s a reason you miss the people you didn’t even know that well.
“The psychological effects of losing all but our closest ties can be profound. Peripheral connections tether us to the world at large; without them, people sink into the compounding sameness of closed networks. Regular interaction with people outside our inner circle ‘just makes us feel more like part of a community, or part of something bigger.’ People on the peripheries of our lives introduce us to new ideas, new information, new opportunities, and other new people. If variety is the spice of life, these relationships are the conduit for it.”
Why People of Color (Still) Need to be Good Fundraisers by Mike Roque (5 min read)
Racial Equity in fundraising requires a shift in thinking about who asks for money, who we ask money from, and why we raise money for social change instead of social services.
“A dominant mentality of who can give, who can’t give, & who should ask still exists. In study after study, people of color are seen primarily as recipients of philanthropy and not as philanthropists. Consequently, they are asked less than their white counterparts to give to nonprofits”
What I’m Sharing
Conference Invite: Power of Engagement Summit hosted by the Fundraising Academy (Feb 24-25). I will be the Keynote Speaker for this conference ‘The Future of Cause Selling is Coming into Focus’ Cost: FREE
Job: Director, Impact Investing — Remote (US Based) @ UpMetrics
Speaking Opportunity: Change Philanthropy - 2021 Unity Summit
Speaking Opportunity: Good Tech Fest
Beta Invites: I currently have 4 invitations to join the Clubhouse community. Let me know if you would like one & believe the hype. It’s like a cross between an interactive live podcast and a 24/7 conference.
Community Building: My new Facebook group is up and running and will be a curation of all the great innovations in the field. Come join the conversation…