Innovation, Social Change and Collaborative Action

I am working on my Capstone for my Masters in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. I tossed around several different topics for this paper over the past few years and finally settled on one topic that combines three areas of interest: How Globalization Impacts Philanthropy in the Millennial Generation.

My first year at Saint Mary's, I had a class on globalization and it truly changed the way I viewed all nonprofit work. Globalization is a huge word with a very nebulous meaning. Regardless of how you define globalization, there are several world events that created this concept and reality. One of these events was the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The collapse of the wall and the reduction in borders created the opportunity for globalization to take off, and quickly. The rise of the industrial revolution and internet revolution, and then, as Jon Dushinsky puts it, the rise of the individual revolution.

Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989

The Millennial generation, those born between 1982 and 2000 (there is some dispute on the years), grew up in the era of globalization. As children during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the creation of the internet and World Wide Web, then search engines, social networking, google, apple's resurgence, etc, this generation works, thinks and acts differently. They embrace the individual revolution, but in a collaborative manner.

What does this mean for nonprofit organizations? What does it mean for all of us who work as, with, for, around or in collaboration with Millennials? It means that we can't expect for them to act like us. It means we need to understand who we are, who they are and how we can work together to create serious social change in a massively conflicted world.

These, now young adults, have traveled the world, have friends across borders, although they see no borders in their world, are highly educated, have been taught to be collaborative, but to accept their role as individuals in action. These savvy individuals are passionate. They want to see change and they will create their own movements to do it. Unlike generations before them, they also have the tools to make waves, create change and all through innovation and collaborative action.

In a time when governments around the world have reduced funding to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, Millennials and like minded individuals in other generations are being innovative in their approach to bridge the gap between what the organization can afford to provide and what their constituents need.

The rise of social entrepreneurship, innovation and business is here. It is happening and the Millennials are taking the lead.

How can we work with this group? How can we foster their creative, innovative and passionate spirit? Listen, be open to new ideas. Let's get out of this "box" of traditional fund development methods and add in a bit of Millennial attitude. Instead of trying to always find another grant, major gift or government supporter, why don't we think of how we can create sustainable change through sustainable funding. Just a thought.

My Other Voice

When I started this blog a few years ago, it started out as a place to voice my thoughts. It also started out as a place for me to keep track of some of the things I was learning, experiencing, etc. Over time, it has grown into a completely work focused blog. Now, this isn't surprising as I spent a vast amount of time thinking about "work" related happenings. For me, this is not work. It is a passion.

Interestingly, since I moved back home to Charleston, SC a little over a year ago, my attitude has shifted. It has not shifted away from my passion for social change and philanthropy, but instead has grown to include a passion for good food, good friends, great laughter and high adventures. With this being said, I've decided (with a bit of a nudge from a friend of mine) to find my voice in these pages. To allow each piece of my life and experiences to relate to one another.

And so, now I must write about PASSION.

I LOVE what I do. I am not just saying that. I sincerely, whole heartedly, no sarcasm included, without shame and with great dogmatism, LOVE what I do. I love my clients; I love working with so many fantastic people; I love the lack of routine; I love it all! The only part that I do not 100% love is the travel. There is a certain lack of decent food in many places. Hotels always vary, although a Hampton Inn is typically a solid choice. Too many people stay in the left hand lane when they shouldn't. Arm rests on airplanes are a hot commodity. And, to be honest, I have a massive desire to get my Jane Fonda on in the smallest of places at the foot of my bed while watching the dvd on my computer for the millionth time. But all of this together creates a life that I love.

The second part of that slight rant leads me to this new voice that I've found. I have a PASSION for Charleston.

 I am SO incredibly in love with this city. If you have not been here, run, do NOT walk, to your car, nearest airport (ok, perhaps first your car), etc. This city IS passion. It is passionate about its history. It is passionate about its food. It is passionate about its architecture. It is passionate about its culture, its way of life. This city is about experience. It is about relationships. It is about finding the amazing local treasures such as Butcher and the Bee and Goat. Sheep. Cow, having a slightly twisted and yet overwhelmingly amazing relationship with them and then adding another in a few weeks down the road.

This city is about LOVE. After all, isn't love a derivative of passion? This city is about PEOPLE. It is about the experience.

So how does this relate to my work? Because that is what the most successful in philanthropy do. They find people's passions, love, adventures, treasures and they relate them to their organization. People WANT passion in their lives. It is a driver for our successes and challenges. Create passion and you create change.