Digital philanthropy, meet grassroots innovation

Digital Philanthropymeet grassroots innovation

Tuesday, 28 February 12

For most, digital philanthropy and fundraising are synonymous


It’s easy to see why


Fundraising is a simple way to satisfy a CSR quota


...but it can have little long term impact


50/50http://5050.gd/


http://5050.gd/

http://5050.gd/

We tried to create a service that would encourage and enable people to innovate

on traditional fundraising models



By removing the barriers to online fundraising we allowed teams to focus on the idea; to quickly go from

idea → donation


We learned


Skilled volunteers will rally around a good cause


We (as service creators) are just facilitators - collaboration is key


Innovation stems from true need and common purpose


...clever fundraising is still just fundraising


Grassroots innovation

or, how to create impact


http://mapkibera.org/

Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, was a blank spot on the map until November 2009, when young Kiberans created the first free and open digital map of their own community

Kibera“


http://mapkibera.org

http://mapkibera.org


http://kiberanewsnetwork.org/

Kibera News Network is a citizen video journalism program started by Map Kibera

More than maps“


http://kiberanewsnetwork.org

http://kiberanewsnetwork.org


Data


An important commodity for most, commonplace for some


The ‘some’ have the networks, the ‘most’ have the need


FrontlineSMS are bring these groups together using ageing technology



Disruption


FigShare are disrupting the traditional model of scientific data dissemination


Figshare


Grassroots digital natives are starting to use technology to disrupt the

inefficiencies of the pre-digital age


What’s next?


Energy generationWhat have not been so readily available are good

examples of local installations, and access to people who will show you what works and what doesn’t.

Grassroots aims to remedy this situation by providing details of local examples of renewable energy in action

“


Today’s cutting-edge technology is tomorrow’s

grassroots' plaything



Which technologies will soon be commonplace and affordable for all?



Technology+

Purpose=

Innovation


Grassroots innovators tackle real world problems, they have a purpose


By demystifying technology we can help these causes grow


In return we’ll be inspired bytrue innovation


Acquire new skills


Build our networks


Is it sustainable?



Gone are the days when businesses existed to make money and nonprofits focused only on making the world

better. Now both organisations are influencing each others’ practices and finding ways to work together.

Katherine Pickus

“


Philanthropy need not only be about charity, social responsibility and doing “good”


It should create change to address the inefficiencies in the systems that shape our lives
