onphilanthropy

We are the future leaders in philanthropy. By working together, we will further our careers, serve our organizations’ mission, and change the world. FLiP is dedicated to creating a community and a network where other future leaders can meet, learn, exchange ideas, and contribute to each other’s success.

Visit Future Leaders in Philanthropy >>

FLiP: You use the term "micro-philanthropy" a lot. How do you define it?

PD: That’s a good question. I wish I had a simple answer for you.

Micro-philanthropy, like micro-credit before it, encompasses many things. It’s philanthropy in the broadest sense— donating time, money, and in-kind services for social uplift—but with a twist. The “micro” part can denote the fact that it happens over the internet or that it involves a smaller-size donation than typical philanthropy.

A micro-philanthropist is someone who does not necessarily have deep pockets but want to spend his or her discretionary income on something worthwhile. Using a range of micro-philanthropy platforms, individuals can make small donations to organizations and independent projects and then pass these giving opportunities on to friends and family.

For me, the most attractive quality of micro-philanthropy is that it happens while people are living their lives (and not after they’ve amassed a fortune). For the most part, micro-philanthropy bypasses traditional institutions that are accustomed to handling the estates and endowments set up by dead or elderly people.

The impact of micro-philanthropy can be as great as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, or even greater, as long as more and more people get involved and see their role on this planet as responsible micro-philanthropist as well as green consumer.

The term micro-philanthropy was coined by Tom Munnecke and Heather WoodIon of the Uplift Academy in 2002.

Continue reading this interview >>