I agree. Ego and technology aside the root cause for the proliferation of non-profits is an unmet need.
Critics, however, are not complaining about people organizing themselves to take action They are complaining about the transaction burden this creates and the perceived inefficiencies of poorly funded and organized groups. Regarding the former: non-profits are asking the same people for the same thing in the same way by telling the same type of stories. This leads to saturation, which results in either apathy/numbness or making the easiest choice: donate to your alma mater, to your friend’s project, etc. Imagine a more capitalist government: the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, police, fireman, city cleaning, schools, ec could at any time call you to solicit funds or they would rely on you finding who they are and donating to the service they provide. In this light: the income, property, and even corporations donation of a percentage of profits are more efficient ways of reducing the transaction burden. Fundraising and project administration are separated. But we know how much of a hard sell taxes are today, plus even to the converts, how can they stomach the known corruption, partisanship, bureocracies and the political power of death merchants. In terms of corporations: should we drop our Macs and buy Berkshire Hathaway in hopes of centralizing money fo initiatives….
The problem of the inefficiencies of the little guy is smaller. In the past centuries big governemnt, big busineses managed the most visible change: they built roads, schools, hospitals. Technology is starting to change this. Our ability to collaborate towards a common goal has never been greater. As motivated people focused on specific goals achive great things. They will have more credibility.
“problems they created for the rest of us themselves.” I think we, specially in America now, need to take responsibility: How are we going to solve “the problems we created for ourselves.” Why are we living in a society that does not represent who we are? What am I going to do today about it, what’s the smartest thing I can do: educate, raise awareness, remove physical and mental barriers, create an infrasture for innovation research. How am I breaking down the problem, what am I trying to solve. Can I do it alone, do I need help, etc….
COMMENTS
BY JuanCarlosParedesTrujillo
ON December 27, 2007 01:33 PM
Hi Kelly. Great entry.
I agree. Ego and technology aside the root cause for the proliferation of non-profits is an unmet need.
Critics, however, are not complaining about people organizing themselves to take action They are complaining about the transaction burden this creates and the perceived inefficiencies of poorly funded and organized groups. Regarding the former: non-profits are asking the same people for the same thing in the same way by telling the same type of stories. This leads to saturation, which results in either apathy/numbness or making the easiest choice: donate to your alma mater, to your friend’s project, etc. Imagine a more capitalist government: the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, police, fireman, city cleaning, schools, ec could at any time call you to solicit funds or they would rely on you finding who they are and donating to the service they provide. In this light: the income, property, and even corporations donation of a percentage of profits are more efficient ways of reducing the transaction burden. Fundraising and project administration are separated. But we know how much of a hard sell taxes are today, plus even to the converts, how can they stomach the known corruption, partisanship, bureocracies and the political power of death merchants. In terms of corporations: should we drop our Macs and buy Berkshire Hathaway in hopes of centralizing money fo initiatives….
The problem of the inefficiencies of the little guy is smaller. In the past centuries big governemnt, big busineses managed the most visible change: they built roads, schools, hospitals. Technology is starting to change this. Our ability to collaborate towards a common goal has never been greater. As motivated people focused on specific goals achive great things. They will have more credibility.
“problems they created for the rest of us themselves.” I think we, specially in America now, need to take responsibility: How are we going to solve “the problems we created for ourselves.” Why are we living in a society that does not represent who we are? What am I going to do today about it, what’s the smartest thing I can do: educate, raise awareness, remove physical and mental barriers, create an infrasture for innovation research. How am I breaking down the problem, what am I trying to solve. Can I do it alone, do I need help, etc….