Page 2557 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 2013
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I am a firm believer that there is a significant opportunity for innovation in how each sector can bring their skills and resources together for community benefit. There is certainly a growing sense that philanthropy is an idea and practice in which all people and all sectors of society can and should participate. This means we have plenty of thinking to do about how each of the sectors works together for the community benefit. Particularly, we need to rethink strategies and models, from private foundations to collaborative enterprises. As you noted, Mr Assistant Speaker, micro-credit and social enterprises are some of the new models being used in the territory.
I am interested in work that the New South Wales government have undertaken in relation to the trial of social benefit bonds, which have seen considerable private sector investment in a variety of social programs. We need to rethink resources to include not only finance but time, expertise and partnerships. Undoubtedly, we need to embrace new technologies, such as social media and crowd funding.
Indeed, new opportunities are emerging. There is a growing trend in philanthropy from funders who see technology as an instrument for social change. These donors say they can have a bigger impact by funding not-for-profit organisations that find ways to multiply their efforts through technology. Some donors are seeking ideas that they can fund, rather than seeking funding for existing projects, which turns the traditional notions of philanthropy on its head.
Clearly, we must engage younger generations. Far from the stereotype of disinterested youth, I believe there are many young people out there seeking new ways to contribute and, importantly, to be connected to their community. We should be encouraging emerging philanthropists, not waiting until they are older or more wealthy to make a difference. We need to engage the energy and creativity of young people into giving.
We need to find new ways to get everyone involved in our community. These messages should be as simple as, “If you’ve got the skills, you’ve got the time to volunteer. If you’ve got a voice, you can use it for others that don’t have a voice.” And, importantly, “There are many, many ways that you can contribute to the lives of others.”
One possibility that I am exploring is to adopt a more sophisticated brokerage model where an entity links a bank of skilled volunteers with not-for-profit organisations. We are looking at what we need to have in place to establish and support more successful alliances. This is an activity where I think the government could partner with the business and community sector. This was one great idea to come out of the philanthropy forum last month and one I look forward to progressing.
The future of philanthropy in the city will involve rethinking strategies and models currently being used and resources that are currently being allocated. It will likely recognise that new technologies have opened up a wide variety of new possibilities for philanthropy, giving and volunteering.
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