Would it be possible to work with you to create a not for profit activity that invests any surplus funds generated through donations into innovative community projects? (Traidmark.org explains the business model below) If so contact me at @whymandesign on twitter

Traidmark.org = Not / For Profit + Social Enterprise Innovation Germinater

Traidmark.org enables you to gain from hard work (performance pay) while adding value to any enterprise by funding innovation and running your enterprise as a Not For Profit or For Profit organisation that invests any surplus funds (or 100% net profit in the case of the for profit organisatioin).

This is how it works.
The organisation invests surplus profit in NEW Innovative enterprise (which helps make that organisation continually evolve because of this structure) which creates better services through institutional innovation. Everyone who works hard can still get financially rewarded through performance pay but there is a goodwill boost as everyone knows the organisation is solving human problems in the most efficient way possible by using innovation.

My name is Deron Triff and I am the CEO and co-founder of Changents.com. As you may already be aware, Changents connects people who are taking responsibility for changing the world with those who can help them. Using the latest social media technologies, we equip Change Agents with a robust suite of Internet storytelling and mobilization tools – aggregated in a convenient, easy-to-use toolkit – to help them tell their stories, connect with supporters around the world and rally assistance for their initiatives.

If you have not read it yet, the new report issued earlier this month by The James Irvine Foundation entitled “Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector” may be of interest. While the report is primarily written to help non-profits understand the dramatically shifting landscape for social activism, the key findings about Gen Y attitudes, technology and other factors are very relevant to creative philanthropy.

Deron Triff
CEO, Changents.com

As you and Olivia mentioned, it requires a culture shift. Many existing NPOs will want to see that it’s working before jumping in and then it’ll be duplicative rather than iterative/improved upon [ie, the flurry of "follow X and they'll donate $1 to us for every new follower"].

Truly innovative creativity usually requires one incredibly motivated person, who says to @#!! with the same old, let’s try this. Change is scary. And when times are uncertain, many NPOs curl in like turtles back to what’s perceived as safe. In an existing org, that motivated person would need to either be a maverick or be willing to push the idea up hill.

Great piece. I didn’t realize that Drew Carey was raising funds alongside Drew Olanoff. Love what Stacey’s doing too! To your final question, I absolutely believe that Creative Philanthropy can begin from inside nonprofits, as well as for-profits. The key is good management that allows risk-taking, creativity and experimentation.

I also subscribed to your RSS feed.

Keep up the awesome work!

-Stacey