Maybe this theory draws from sociology or anthropology, but they use the phrase “unfortress” to describe social media’s potential in the world of non-profits –and the millions of missions it serves. It is the power to connect over geographic and political boundaries, across social justice causes and knows no hierarchy of title, position or celebrity.

I assert that the word “unfortress” describes the larger change taking place within industries and institutions across America.  It’s an approach that is rooted in understanding the generations, recognizing the power of technology and the sense of urgency behind the calls for transparency, efficiency and collaboration.

Healthcare was stuck in the “urgent care” model of flexible but fortressed service delivery until clinics popped up in retail settings, the electronic medical record was implemented and it fueled the functionality to connect with a practitioner online.

Availability of information housed within government, museums and libraries is being formatted for wide and open dissemination.  By breaking down walls that used to house knowledge (which as we all know is power), information takes on new and unexpected value. We have so many tools to disseminate or share information at our disposal.  Those dissatisfied with the ways and traditions of the past are using data and cost/benefit scenarios to drive change and yield results. The adage “time is money” holds true with major social issues that threaten the future of our economy.  So, there is a new sense of urgency that society cannot wait for the Baby Boom’s set ways of posturing and competitive nature to solve our problems.

As we look at our own communities, it is plausible to envision a time when the non-profits, government entities and major employers rally around shared goals and contribute in their own ways to collaborative efforts.  Imagine local declaration of shared ownership of matters around public health and community safety and then tackling them with new enthusiasm and motivation for success.  Led by a non-profit that has served the area for 40 years, this is being done in Dakota County.

Where will it happen next?

One subgroup of charitable givers and volunteers has considerable long-term impact, and they may not even be aware of it. The subgroup? Parents.

Parents who communicate with their children about the importance of community stewardship, who openly support charitable organizations and, even more significantly, who engage their children in volunteer activities pass along a valuable legacy. They’re instilling in the next generation the concept that charity is a primary responsibility as members of a community.  They’re teaching their children that charity is an important line item in the family budget. And they’re ensuring that the impact of giving is not restricted to the single transaction, but creates a ripple effect by reaching into other situations and setting the stage to address other needs.

My parents taught my siblings and me the value of community stewardship – not through preaching but through their actions. Dad made sure we remembered our envelopes for the Sunday collection, but more importantly modeled his ideals through countless hours of volunteer board meetings and fundraising. As a busy mother of six, Mom found time to volunteer at church as well as for political and humanitarian groups. And she prevailed upon us to respond with compassion to those in need, once signing me up to help an unwed mother move her belongings to another apartment, and more than once persuading me to accompany the Fuller Brush salesman, who was blind, as he went door-to-door though the neighborhood.

Parents who donate, whether through cash, in-kind donations or volunteerism, are critical to the people and organizations in need. But when they demonstrate their values about charitable giving to their children, and engage them to participate, it increases the effectiveness of their actions exponentially. That’s truly high-impact philanthropy.

~ LuAnne Speeter is a guest contributor.

First we must define philanthropy — by definition philanthropy at it’s core is the investment of private capital for the public good. Charity or donations are what we all think about when we get the solicitation in the mail around the end of the year asking for a year-end donation to help a cause that is close to our heart. These donations tend to go towards an immediate need, usually are smaller dollar amounts but are given by a large number of people. These are crucial to the operations of non-profits and make an impact in the community.

The idea behind strategic philanthropy is to take it to the next level. It doesn’t mean that it has to be a large donation but instead it focuses on solving problems at their root. Strategic philanthropy works to identify opportunities for leveraging change much greater than the size of the investment — small amounts of money that start making large impacts. These investments tend to be long-term in nature, upstream focused and come with a higher risk for a higher potential return. These are often focused on changing systems and regularly have an influence or public policy connection.

After spending five days looking at the difference between charity and strategic philanthropy I have a much better respect for some of the amazing work being done across this country in our non-profit sector. During my time in New York City we were able to conduct over a half dozen site visits to see social entrepreneurship in action. It is amazing to see some of the truly innovative approaches to societal problems. At the bottom of this post I have included three of the best individuals/organizations I had a chance to interact with during my visit.

In the end it is not a question of strategic philanthropy or charity, it must be both. We will always have immediate needs and charity/donations help solve those gaps. I think it is imperative though, that everyone also keep an eye on how they can think strategically about their philanthropic dollars and find those times when we can give to help target root causes for issues and help our investments multiply many time over! Some years you will give more to charity while another time you may see a truly innovative idea and can make a strategic investment directly to the root cause. The most important thing is to keep watching for ideas and investing in our community to keep this an amazing place to live.

Innovative Organizations and Individuals

Echoing Green — Outstanding organization investing in individuals who are making a difference. We had the opportunity to meet with Cheryl Dorsey, President of Echoing Green who was outstanding.

Red Hook Community Justice Center — Innovative community justice model which is reinvigorating the community. The Red Hook community of southwest Brooklyn, where 70% of residents live in public housing, had been plagued with crime and drug issues but this new approach to justice is helping it take back it’s streets and improve the lives of it’s residents.

Honorable Michael Corriero — Amazing individual who helped form Manhattan’s Youth Part as one of the first models for dealing with 13, 14 & 15 year-olds who were charged in adult court with serious crimes. Corriero grew up in the tenements of Little Italy and went on to become a State Supreme Court Justice. He has since retired and is now the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.