Amen. The idea that no one else has noticed the problem and started to try and fix it is, frankly, insulting. And by starting a new foundation, you duplicate the resources used for mundane necessities like support functions, accounting, etc. wasting some of the funds that could be used for problem-solving.
Double Amen!
And, to quote a slide I saw:
“Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted, counts.”
Perhaps Mr. Parker can tackle some of the more difficult challenges organizations have in measuring what matters. . http://www.ceffect.com/2013/11/11/nonprofit-evalution-counting-what-matters/
Triple Amen, and great piece, Kimberly and Michael. This particular generation of “hacker philanthropists” is big on the things that make Silicon Valley work - namely:
1. Bragadoccio. In practical terms, that mean trashing everything that has come before as antiquated and useless;
2. An over-reliance on the kinds of thinking that made them their money. Most problems that philanthropy contends with are not amenable to simple hacks, market forces, or to “disruption” more generally speaking. Great solutions may not always scale - or may not be addressable with a Moon Shot—something that is anathema to Valley-thinking.
New technologies, new innovations, and the people who make them have a *huge* role to play in tackling the challenges of this century - but they have to approach it with humility and patience, and it’s those things—not money, that often seem to be in short supply.
But following Gayle’s comments… counting (and knowing what you are counting) is not always as important in some places as it is in others…
I do welcome Sean getting involved in the philanthropy sector. Although coming into it with such full force might have been unnecessary and it would do him good to step back, pause and discuss things with others before he starts doing things in what he thinks is the right way…. at least it has brought a philanthropic debate and discourse forward. And I hope inspire other next-gens to join him.
Let’s hope the ones in the UK are listening to this discussion as much as they are in the US.
Kimberley & Michael this is an excellent piece….thank you….and to the other guys who have commented….
the point about making time….digging in is music to my ears!...understanding what is going on and taking the time to listen and learn as you jump in…also shows respect for what people have been doing….being comfortable with ambiguity…and not become inpatient and blaming….innovation can be a small tweek which opens up patways and other options…
and how many times have i heard use data as a tool not a solution but time got in the way
I am reminded of an instance I was part of some years back. I brought to one of the more well established #socialgood organizations a young & exceptionally talented (30 yo) VC fund owner. He was profoundly touched by the work of the org does globally.
YET the investor had ideas on how he and his fund could make a difference to further help children in need. Behind his “disruptive” way of looking at #socialgood he was willing to put some 750k to make a difference where food, medications, education etc were key problems among children.
The answer from the lead professional representing the organization was “we would love to have his money but “what does he know about the work we do to advise us on how to do it”.
I sincerely believe that #socialgood will change tremendously when we let entrepreneurs do what they did in technology. Make the world so much better - their innovative way.
Great insights and wisdom! Thank you so much for sharing them! I have experienced some of these mistakes firsthand- establishing an endowment to have an impact in an area that means a lot to my family, but it hasn’t a whole lot to show, because I may have been too restrictive in my specific purpose. I will have to revisit that with my relationship manager.
I’ve also, because of where I work, get to see a lot of other mishaps where the match ups are a mismatch for various reasons and no impact is had and the money sits and or goes back with no impact. There are, however some great projects out there with a proven track record of positive outcomes that need help transitioning to a sustainable phase. This would be a great place to direct new philanthropists.
There should be more discussions around how do we help great proven projects become sustainable in a way that is smart and simple.
New philanthropists might want to also consider tackling some of the simple, less headline-grabbing issues. A piece I wrote here, on SSIR, proposing a Donors Charter was particularly well received/debated. I would hope something like this might also contribute to the discussion.
Your thoughts may appear to be troublesome, however there is a shot somebody keen is as of now doing it. Before you set out on making the following huge thing, verify whether there are associations, scholastics, or funders working a similar way. Like http://buyessays.cheap talks about the design thinking: the first rule is that if an idea lies on the surface there are too little chances somebody hasn’t tried or investigated it yet.
COMMENTS
BY Mary S.
ON July 16, 2015 11:23 AM
Amen. The idea that no one else has noticed the problem and started to try and fix it is, frankly, insulting. And by starting a new foundation, you duplicate the resources used for mundane necessities like support functions, accounting, etc. wasting some of the funds that could be used for problem-solving.
BY Gayle Gifford
ON July 16, 2015 01:02 PM
Double Amen!
And, to quote a slide I saw:
“Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted, counts.”
Perhaps Mr. Parker can tackle some of the more difficult challenges organizations have in measuring what matters. .
http://www.ceffect.com/2013/11/11/nonprofit-evalution-counting-what-matters/
BY Andrew Zolli
ON July 16, 2015 07:44 PM
Triple Amen, and great piece, Kimberly and Michael. This particular generation of “hacker philanthropists” is big on the things that make Silicon Valley work - namely:
1. Bragadoccio. In practical terms, that mean trashing everything that has come before as antiquated and useless;
2. An over-reliance on the kinds of thinking that made them their money. Most problems that philanthropy contends with are not amenable to simple hacks, market forces, or to “disruption” more generally speaking. Great solutions may not always scale - or may not be addressable with a Moon Shot—something that is anathema to Valley-thinking.
New technologies, new innovations, and the people who make them have a *huge* role to play in tackling the challenges of this century - but they have to approach it with humility and patience, and it’s those things—not money, that often seem to be in short supply.
BY Juliet Valdinger
ON July 18, 2015 01:28 PM
As many Amens as I can count. And even more.
But following Gayle’s comments… counting (and knowing what you are counting) is not always as important in some places as it is in others…
I do welcome Sean getting involved in the philanthropy sector. Although coming into it with such full force might have been unnecessary and it would do him good to step back, pause and discuss things with others before he starts doing things in what he thinks is the right way…. at least it has brought a philanthropic debate and discourse forward. And I hope inspire other next-gens to join him.
Let’s hope the ones in the UK are listening to this discussion as much as they are in the US.
BY Alice O' Flynn
ON July 20, 2015 01:50 PM
Kimberley & Michael this is an excellent piece….thank you….and to the other guys who have commented….
the point about making time….digging in is music to my ears!...understanding what is going on and taking the time to listen and learn as you jump in…also shows respect for what people have been doing….being comfortable with ambiguity…and not become inpatient and blaming….innovation can be a small tweek which opens up patways and other options…
and how many times have i heard use data as a tool not a solution but time got in the way
BY Michael Steiner
ON July 20, 2015 03:42 PM
I am reminded of an instance I was part of some years back. I brought to one of the more well established #socialgood organizations a young & exceptionally talented (30 yo) VC fund owner. He was profoundly touched by the work of the org does globally.
YET the investor had ideas on how he and his fund could make a difference to further help children in need. Behind his “disruptive” way of looking at #socialgood he was willing to put some 750k to make a difference where food, medications, education etc were key problems among children.
The answer from the lead professional representing the organization was “we would love to have his money but “what does he know about the work we do to advise us on how to do it”.
I sincerely believe that #socialgood will change tremendously when we let entrepreneurs do what they did in technology. Make the world so much better - their innovative way.
BY Rodney C. Robinson
ON July 25, 2015 06:17 AM
Great insights and wisdom! Thank you so much for sharing them! I have experienced some of these mistakes firsthand- establishing an endowment to have an impact in an area that means a lot to my family, but it hasn’t a whole lot to show, because I may have been too restrictive in my specific purpose. I will have to revisit that with my relationship manager.
I’ve also, because of where I work, get to see a lot of other mishaps where the match ups are a mismatch for various reasons and no impact is had and the money sits and or goes back with no impact. There are, however some great projects out there with a proven track record of positive outcomes that need help transitioning to a sustainable phase. This would be a great place to direct new philanthropists.
There should be more discussions around how do we help great proven projects become sustainable in a way that is smart and simple.
Thanks again!!!
BY Juliet Valdinger
ON July 26, 2015 09:40 AM
I would love to understand how many times this article is being registered, and acted on, by individuals in the UK…
...my prejudiced view is that it is connecting more with an American audience….
....I hope my views are way off the mark….
Best wishes to all…. wherever you are!
BY kiwanja
ON August 13, 2015 09:54 AM
New philanthropists might want to also consider tackling some of the simple, less headline-grabbing issues. A piece I wrote here, on SSIR, proposing a Donors Charter was particularly well received/debated. I would hope something like this might also contribute to the discussion.
http://ssir.org/articles/entry/a_new_donor_code_of_conduct
Ken
BY Pat
ON November 7, 2017 08:48 AM
Your thoughts may appear to be troublesome, however there is a shot somebody keen is as of now doing it. Before you set out on making the following huge thing, verify whether there are associations, scholastics, or funders working a similar way. Like http://buyessays.cheap talks about the design thinking: the first rule is that if an idea lies on the surface there are too little chances somebody hasn’t tried or investigated it yet.