Today I read an article by XConomy's Wade Roush, who attended a conference hosted by Kleiner Perkins and featured a presentation by famed Internet analyst Mary Meeker (the presentation can be found here: http://www.kpcb.com/file/kpcb-internet-trends-2012), which covered how mobile telephony and smart phones have begun to impact nearly every aspect of the human experience. The most ubiquitous omission seems to be Philanthropy, at least in my mind, but how can a decidedly human engagement experience (giving support for and volunteering time for causes greater than one's self) be mobilized - in the technical sense? Can philanthropy go truly mobile? And I am not necessarily talking about giving in the $10s or $100s of dollars, what I am talking about is mega philanthropy, in that: How can mega philanthropists immerse themselves where their donations, grants or in-kind support is provided? How can organizations that attract that level of philanthropy be expected to deliver a truly personal, real time experience to donors?
Well, I would like to imagine an application whereby the donor and the organization can simultaneously engage, where the interactions are unscripted or, better yet, truly in real time. Imagine doctors without borders streaming patient interactions and vaccine mobilizations to donors from the field, as it happens. Imagine cancer researchers sitting down regularly via Google hangout and talking with megadonors about their work, challenges, failings and opportunities. Imagine soup kitchens hosting round table talks with the homeless and the donors, hosted by volunteer boards or their administration, to let donors hear about the challenges of life on the street from the people who need and receive support. Imagine religious, social, educational, and health philanthropies the world over tying their philanthropists to the front line - not the board room, but to the actual point of delivery.
I believe that there would be no more singularly authentic experience in the world.
If there were ever a time when technology could bring the human race closer together, to engage and educate the most fortunate among us to the plight of those less endowed, to bring enormous efficiencies and accountability to the delivery of non-profit services, that time is now. As Mary Meeker explains, we have not even begun to imagine the impact of the mobile revolution. Let's hope the world of philanthropy gets on board.
Well, I would like to imagine an application whereby the donor and the organization can simultaneously engage, where the interactions are unscripted or, better yet, truly in real time. Imagine doctors without borders streaming patient interactions and vaccine mobilizations to donors from the field, as it happens. Imagine cancer researchers sitting down regularly via Google hangout and talking with megadonors about their work, challenges, failings and opportunities. Imagine soup kitchens hosting round table talks with the homeless and the donors, hosted by volunteer boards or their administration, to let donors hear about the challenges of life on the street from the people who need and receive support. Imagine religious, social, educational, and health philanthropies the world over tying their philanthropists to the front line - not the board room, but to the actual point of delivery.
I believe that there would be no more singularly authentic experience in the world.
If there were ever a time when technology could bring the human race closer together, to engage and educate the most fortunate among us to the plight of those less endowed, to bring enormous efficiencies and accountability to the delivery of non-profit services, that time is now. As Mary Meeker explains, we have not even begun to imagine the impact of the mobile revolution. Let's hope the world of philanthropy gets on board.
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