Moving Philanthropy Into the Future As Social Entrepreneurs
Philanthropy means different things to different people and most of us in the industry have our working definition. The Association of Fundraising Professionals Alabama Chapter celebrates our heroes every year and all they have done in our community. But as we think about the future, we must think about the philanthropists of tomorrow and how their work will affect change in the community in which we live.
A re-emerging trend in our society is Social Entrepreneurship. In my research to define the term, some define social entrepreneurs as a different kind of social leader. The term is more related to leadership than to management. A social entrepreneur creates social value and is willing to share initiatives openly, they act boldly, they adopt a mission to create and sustain social value and they have a heightened sense of accountability to their constituencies. Social entrepreneurs can be nonprofit organizations or corporations who are socially responsible. More and more communities and donors are realizing how important it is for nonprofit organizations to be managed properly, steward the donor and to be accountable to constituents and the practice of social entrepreneurship is a way for our organizations to achieve these goals.
Just as nonprofits are becoming more socially aware so are our corporations. We are a global economy and all that brings to the forefront. Social issues of our world have become social issues of our community. Corporations are participating more than ever on the global stage and are taking the necessary steps to help sustain our future. Corporations that are socially responsible transform traditional ways that we think corporations view the world. With this transformation comes compassion for the disadvantaged communities of the world, and ultimately compassion for society as a whole. There are several examples of socially responsible corporations in America. One such corporation, Southwest Airlines, is no stranger to this philosophy. Since its beginning, CEO Herb Kelleher, has instilled social awareness in his business practices and in the employees who work for him. In the book, Nuts! Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, Kevin and Jackie Freiberg have dedicated a chapter to how Southwest Airlines shows compassion in the communities in which they serve. The chapter clearly outlines that giving back to the community, is not only the right thing to do but also the loving thing to do. Southwest shows their gratitude to the community because of the support that the community has shown to Southwest. We as nonprofits and philanthropists are grateful to those corporations who continue to do the good works in our community.
As I reflect on the future of philanthropic trends, I must reflect on the past and the September 11 tragedy. One could point to that historical days and say the trends of becoming more compassionate, more aware and more willing to change our world began that day. As social entrepreneurs, we must learn from our past to envision the future; we must embrace all that our world has to offer to change it effectively; we must be pioneers to systematically meet the needs of the disadvantaged; we must be accountable to those we serve; and we must create social values in order to lead. We honor the great philanthropists of our community on National Philanthropy Day and we thank them for their philanthropy of tomorrow.
Note: This article will appear in the Partners in Philanthropy publication in mid-November. National Philanthropy Day is a day of celebration of the top philanthropists in our community by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. AFP, Alabama chapter celebrates National Philanthropy Day on November 13.
A re-emerging trend in our society is Social Entrepreneurship. In my research to define the term, some define social entrepreneurs as a different kind of social leader. The term is more related to leadership than to management. A social entrepreneur creates social value and is willing to share initiatives openly, they act boldly, they adopt a mission to create and sustain social value and they have a heightened sense of accountability to their constituencies. Social entrepreneurs can be nonprofit organizations or corporations who are socially responsible. More and more communities and donors are realizing how important it is for nonprofit organizations to be managed properly, steward the donor and to be accountable to constituents and the practice of social entrepreneurship is a way for our organizations to achieve these goals.
Just as nonprofits are becoming more socially aware so are our corporations. We are a global economy and all that brings to the forefront. Social issues of our world have become social issues of our community. Corporations are participating more than ever on the global stage and are taking the necessary steps to help sustain our future. Corporations that are socially responsible transform traditional ways that we think corporations view the world. With this transformation comes compassion for the disadvantaged communities of the world, and ultimately compassion for society as a whole. There are several examples of socially responsible corporations in America. One such corporation, Southwest Airlines, is no stranger to this philosophy. Since its beginning, CEO Herb Kelleher, has instilled social awareness in his business practices and in the employees who work for him. In the book, Nuts! Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, Kevin and Jackie Freiberg have dedicated a chapter to how Southwest Airlines shows compassion in the communities in which they serve. The chapter clearly outlines that giving back to the community, is not only the right thing to do but also the loving thing to do. Southwest shows their gratitude to the community because of the support that the community has shown to Southwest. We as nonprofits and philanthropists are grateful to those corporations who continue to do the good works in our community.
As I reflect on the future of philanthropic trends, I must reflect on the past and the September 11 tragedy. One could point to that historical days and say the trends of becoming more compassionate, more aware and more willing to change our world began that day. As social entrepreneurs, we must learn from our past to envision the future; we must embrace all that our world has to offer to change it effectively; we must be pioneers to systematically meet the needs of the disadvantaged; we must be accountable to those we serve; and we must create social values in order to lead. We honor the great philanthropists of our community on National Philanthropy Day and we thank them for their philanthropy of tomorrow.
Note: This article will appear in the Partners in Philanthropy publication in mid-November. National Philanthropy Day is a day of celebration of the top philanthropists in our community by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. AFP, Alabama chapter celebrates National Philanthropy Day on November 13.
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