Why We’re In the Age of the Citizen Philanthropist
Last month marked the entry of everyone’s favorite geek, Bill Gates, into the social media realm. The Microsoft tycoon launched a website and Twitter stream to discuss his philanthropic efforts. Though pundits feel Gates hasn’t added much to the conversation yet, his entry encapsulates a larger trend — the rise of the citizen philanthropist. Empowered by social media, individuals can now reach out, support and discuss their giving efforts with their immediate networks. Here are five examples of the citizen philanthropist’s immediate impact.
1. Citizen Philanthropists Provide New Donations
By enabling new social donations, such as the Red Cross’s impressive mobile giving program for Haiti, nonprofits have created a new method for fundraising. The citizen philanthropist that works their own personal social network represents the ideal fundraiser. They can motivate friends with personal, heartfelt requests that charities cannot emulate.
At the same time, there can be a sense of social philanthropy fatigue when one finds yet another request to give every time they open their Facebook (Facebook) account. “Their supporters are feeling fatigued each time they are hit with another e-mail to vote, or donate, or retweet –- so we must find a way for these methods to not feel like a burden,” added Saratovsky.
2. Social Giving Hasn’t Replaced Traditional Fundraising
The overall amount of giving created by social efforts represents a substantial new revenue source for charities. At the same time, the amount of giving represents only a small slice of a nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. Traditional solicitations of large donors and foundations remain their bread and butter.
3. Slactivism Rising!
The ease of social tools creates another phenomena: The rise of slactivism. Now anyone can think they are a philanthropist simply by sounding off with a tweet or texting ten dollars for Haiti relief. While the simplicity of such actions increases the likelihood of charity, an individual’s long-term impact can be considered negligible.
“I can see why people are concerned that if a person makes a quick online donation, and does nothing else, it is slacktivism,” said Britt Bravo, author of the Have Fun, Do Good blog. “On the other hand, why is it that just because something is easy, we define it as not ‘good?’ The larger question for nonprofits, and for all of us who use social media is: Are we using these quick and powerful tools not just to meet people, and ask them to listen to us and to do something for us, but also to build relationships?”
4. The Slactivist Opportunity
What can be an end, can also be a beginning. Many organizations see slactivists as potential long-term activists. The challenge lies in cultivating the casual social activist into a true philanthropist.
5. The Age of the Citizen Philanthropist Has Just Begun
It’s clear that the disruptive impact of social media is just beginning in the non-profit sector. From the eye-opening impact social media had on Haiti relief to the unprecedented insight into the Iran elections, society is experiencing new cause related breakthroughs every six months thanks to social media.
Who knows what’s next? With the power of social media, individual philanthropists can circumvent traditional charities and government organizations to affect change. Perhaps an even greater movement lies ahead in the near future.
“Just think — what would the civil rights movement have looked like if it were blogged and tweeted like the Iran (Iran ) revolution of 2009,” asked Hargro. “What if Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s passionate and prescient words were tweeted and retweeted worldwide? Enough said.”
As a social network design and corporate social networking expert, Conenza likes this thought provoking article.