Innovation in Philanthropy Infrastructure

Eleanor Harrison OBE, CEO, GlobalGiving UK

@EllieJHarrison

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By thinking FORWARD we future proof our work

Philanthropy infrastructure has the opportunity to undergo radical change – we can take advantage for social good

Philanthropy Infrastructure

GlobalGiving works on the 4C’s:

Building capacity, capability, connection and credibility

Growing philanthropy focus

What problem did we see?

Why does GlobalGiving exist?

Core Issues

• Issues of fairness & connection
• Issues of trust, transparency & credibility
• Issues of sustainability & independence
• Issues of efficiency
• Issues of effectiveness
• Issues of power
• Scale & “leverage”
• Complexity

Our solution?

GlobalGiving is the largest �global crowdfunding community �connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies around the world.

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GlobalGiving makes it possible for nonprofits to access funding, tools, training, and support �they need to become more effective.

Fundamental logic

• Positive change happens faster and in a more sustained way if local people and organizations have the power to make decisions and deliver solutions for their own communities.

In practice…

But what problems did we then see?

It’s complex!

Other issues!

• Partners want more money ☺
• #Shiftthepower is challenging!
• More efficiency challenges
• More trust & credibility issues
• Creating awareness is hard
• Information as power
• Learning & Effectiveness

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Due Diligence Analysis

Digital system for review, analysis and processing.

Easy to manage complete pipeline for multiple users.

Digital, searchable archives for all records.

Risk Management & Evaluations

Digital system collects site visit data analysis.

Data feeds into risk monitoring system.

Recommendations & learning for each organisation is shared.

GG Rewards Programme

Reward Engagement and Effectiveness.

GG Reward Status used to nudge organisational improvements.

Status level provides benefits and preferences projects to funders.

What does this feel like?

User experience is key

GlobalGiving’s Impact Hypothesis

• Learning and Curiosity as ASSETS
• Learning organisations = more visible, sustainable and effective organisations over time

Big data & gamification for social good?

• GlobalGiving is using Gamification (aka points) to try and incentivise learning and networks for our non profit partners

More points = More cash

The crowd is attracted to the best performing projects

Where are we now?

A drop in the Ocean?

The role of “local” in development

19,668

Projects in 170 countries

$325mn+

Given through online gifts

750,634

People have supported

3 core areas of work

• Facilitating more funding, connections, and learning for community-led nonprofits; helping them to become more self-sustaining and independent
• Creating a trusted, transparent platform for people, companies and institutions to give with confidence to community-led nonprofits
• Shifting the power in aid and philanthropy by testing, experimenting, and sharing our data, experiences and stories with institutional funders and strategic leaders

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Great, but what is keeping you up at night?

What is not working? Where do we need to innovate more?

Concluding Comments

• Recognition + Validation
• More efficient than much of the current system
• More transparent than much of the current system
• Good feedback loops
• But MUCH more to do in cooperation with others
• We will only #liftupphilanthropy & #shiftthepower together
• Please get in touch if you would like to work together

“there is a way to do it better…find it”

Thomas Edison

Thank you

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eharrison@globalgiving.org

@EllieJHarrison

www.globalgiving.org

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