Social Networks, Crowdsourcing, and Technology's Impact On Giving In The 21st Century
According to Charity Navigator, $260.3 billion was given to charitable organizations in 2005. 23.5% was given from corporations, foundations, and bequests. But a whopping 76.5%, or $199.1 billion came from individuals! According to Barna.org, the average individual donates $1,232 per year. This is the Long Tail of Philanthropy, or what I refer to as the Philanthropy Commons - millions of ordinary individuals that collectively surpass the giving power of most philanthropy giants.
Where does this money go? How do people know where to give? What charitable causes peak their interest most? How do people measure an organization's mission impact? How does that impact affect real lives, our communities, and the world? How will technology advancements and society's adoption of those changes impact giving behaviors in the 21st century?
There is a social network emerging that is designed to empower individuals with the tools they need to answer these questions and make educated giving decisions. Filanthropy Buzz gives people the ability to search, create, review, edit, rate, and support charitable organizations, according to their mission effectiveness. Unlike Charity Navigator, that only measures mission input - how effectively organizations spend their money, Filanthropy Buzz measures an organization's mission output - how well they achieve their mission and impact people, communities, and the world.
Scheduled for release Fall 2007 through www.BookSurge.com, an www.Amazon.com company.
