The problem: Find a way to get more bang for the buck out of charitable donations. The strategy: Adopt techniques that worked well for venture capital firms in the 1990s – greater interaction between giver and recipient, and an emphasis on measurable results. The upshot: The birth of the movement variously called “venture philanthropy,” “social entrepreneurism,” “strategic philanthropy,” and “e-philanthropy.” But is it really a new model for charitable endeavors that even mainstream non-profits should adopt, or is it just a fad?
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a special series on social entrepreneurship. Others (of varying quality) include
Social Entrepreneurs: Playing the Role of Change Agents in Society
Knowledge@Wharton
Subjects: Nonprofit, Social Responsibility (ESG), Venture Capital
