As the National Conference on Volunteering and Service [2]gets underway in San Francisco next week, 4,500 leaders from across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors will pack the Moscone Center for workshops and plenary sessions aimed at strengthening the culture of service in our country. And, in a year when so many conferences have been forced to scale back, or have seen significant declines in attendance -- the energy (and turnout) surrounding this year’s service conference is a testament to what a hot issue service seems to be at this moment in time.
I’m not suggesting that service hasn’t always played a deep and intrinsic role in our history– because it has, and it will continue to. The needs are too great, and the resources from government, the private sector and philanthropy are too stretched.
On Wednesday I’m moderating a panel that includes some forward thinkers: Ben Rattray founder and CEO of Change.org [3]; Jacob Harold Program Officer at the Hewlett Foundation [4]; and Perla Ni founder and CEO of Great Nonprofits [5]. In preparing for the panel, I’ve had several exchanges where people have been surprised when I talk of philanthropy and civic engagement as being so deeply connected. In my mind, this was never a question.
Giving or philanthropy is something that I have always felt has the potential to lead to deeper levels of civic engagement. It's true that increasing one’s civic engagement is not limited to philanthropic behavior, but it does include it. Volunteering, participating in community initiatives, and making donations are all part of building social capital.
There’s no question, philanthropy has traditionally been seen as a top-down, hierarchical practice – but there’s a movement afoot to delegate that process to a wider circle of decision makers, and in some cases to the general public. This is the idea that will tip off our panel on Wednesday - but it's also the same kind of movement I think we're seeing in the volunteering community. Self directed service programs seem to be growing in popularity -- and that's important because nonprofits don't have the bandwidth to be able to absorb all of these new volunteers.
But, getting back to the topic at hand. I’d love to pull from your thoughts on the subject to help inform our conversation. How are philanthropy and civic engament/volunteering related? Do you believe that one leads to the other? What happens when you democratize philanthropy and give the public a voice in how to direct funding? Does this lead to deeper engagement?
Comments
Kari.
You pose some interesting questions.
Based in China, what we are seeing is that the move from philanthropy to service is being catalyzed by a few things.
First, the infrastructure for personal service is going into place. 5 years ago, when I started the Hands On Shanghai chapter, there was no easy option for those interested in engaging in their spar time. The organizations were still unsure of how to leverage volunteers, the platforms for training and managing large numbers were not in place, and those that were were really only open for large firms looking for a day of service.
Another catalyst has risen from the fact that through some major events, issue specific awareness has grown, and citizens have been catalyzed to take personal interest. Some issues, children and the environment, seem to see the greatest amount of interest, but HIV, elderly, and others are also now seeing more support
finally, people in China are wary of just giving money. It isn't tangible, and there is a systematic skepticism that naturally leads them to "oversee" their efforts rather than cut and run.
What this means in the greater context is that we are seeing those that serve give more of themselves, and their money. We have witnessed time and time again where a single volunteer will rope in 5 friends, and they will become core to a program's growth and stability. the opportunity to get "Hands On" leads them to the next steps of learning about the issues, seeing that they can help (in small or large measure), and deeper engagement can be achieve more easily than were they just giving money to the latest cause.
r
Kari, this is such a thoughtful post - wish I was going to be there to hear the panel. I'm wondering about the intersection of large, philanthropic institutions like The Case Foundation and, say, Hewlett where Jacob resides and microphilanthropy, like Kiva and DonorsChoose and even giving circles. What is pulling them together in concert, and what pulls them apart? Can and should they be coordinated in their efforts or are they so fundamentally different than they really don't co-exist? Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Allison
Hello! I consider myself a social entrepreneur. I vision the "social" industry untapped and lucrative. I also envision philanthropy integrated with service, and product. This is the missing link to a establishing a "sustainable development."
I choose to answer your questions:
How are philanthropy and civic engagement/volunteering related?
Civic engagement and philanthropy coincide within one another. In a broad, but narrow perspective, "civic engagement" is the collective individual work summed into a mutual outcome, local or domestic, voluntary or involuntary. Philanthropy is relates the civic engagement as individuals voluntarily performing an act of "good deed" in order to support or execute a social cause. Either definition correlates inseparably.
Do you believe that one leads to the other?
Yes. Reason for this theory is due to their corresponding characteristics. If anyone engages in some form of "social development," that individual is defining either "civic engagement," or "philanthropy."
What happens when you democratize philanthropy and give the public a voice in how to direct funding?
Democracy is the solution to alleviate turmoil. If the "people/public" choose how philanthropic funds are directed, it will lower the risk of towards social venture investments, it may also increase and stimulate economic competitiveness, it could even motivate civic engagement and philanthropy, etc...
As a possible risk (barrier), philanthropic democracy my deter audiences from affiliating or sponsoring alliance(s) to the proposing candidate(s) that could not provide the lesser choice, the source of funding may initiate unforeseen negotiations in order to maximize benefits or capital, consideration to global citizens' "needs and wants" is, and can become more complicated to satisfy, due to the evolution of international democracy(s). If democracy increases, if also affects the global economy; thus, impacting how and where philanthropic funding is directed.
Does this lead to deeper engagement?
Philanthropic democracy will lead into deeper engagement, globally and by diversity. Unfortunately, everyone and every business (on Earth) is effected by anyone and everyone.
For networking opportunities or one on one discussions, visit :
Umbrela Tree, LLC
Humanitarian Research & Development
http://www.ut-rd.com [7].
- Founder
While I truly appreciate the sentiment, I just can't get over one fact: When conferences like this one continue to be cost-prohibitive ($325 for "early bird" and on up from there), you will not get an honest dialogue on these points. It will continue to be the same people in the room, talking about the latest/greatest trends in service and philanthropy.
I have no doubt that there will be amazing ideas shared. However, very few innovations will make their way to the multitude of programs that need them the most. And even when they do, the organizations in most need are the ones with the least capacity to implement them.
This is a point that I have continued to bring up in my 20 years in service and philanthropy. And, just by way of explanation, I am only staying "Anonymous" because I will be attending the conference, representing a sponsoring body.
Thank you sincerely for your work, Kari.
Enjoying the diversity in responses.
To commenter "Crossroads" -appreciate your adding the international perspective. I think what you're seeing in China is not far from what we're seeing here in the states. And I certainly think you're correct in noting that "issue specific" opportunities tend to receive the greatest interest. People don't volunteer to "volunteer" they do so because they want to make an impact on a particular social problem - and getting "hands on" can and oftentimes does lead to financial contributions.
Allison, love the questions you pose - and will not only use them, but will report back on the panelists thoughts.
To Kurt at Umbrella Tree - thanks for taking the time to actually answer the questions, you offer an interesting perspective and I'm glad to learn of your work.
And, to "Anonymous" it's true that the Conference is somewhat cost-prohibitive especially for small nonprofit orgs. That's one of the reasons I wanted to use this forum for discussion - to help take some of the important conversations beyond the Convention Center. I know there is a greater focus on liveblogging, tweeting and video streaming from the conference, so hopefully more people will be able to participate even if they're not with us in SF.
Keep the comments rolling in! - KDS