So this week I get the privilege to be a part of something HUGE. I'm giving my time and my expertise to others setting out to make a difference in the world by starting a business. It's New York Entrepreneur Week and you can be a part of the action.
Here in New York City, entrepreneurs from all industries, for profit and not, have converged to share, discuss, collaborate, and innovate great big ideas that intend to change the corporate landscape in America and beyond.
I'll be speaking on Thursday, but you have the opportunity to participate by watching the live feed of all the speakers and panels. Its certainly a resource to take advantage of, especially knowing that its free...and I know most entrepreneurs are watching every dollar spent. So if you can't be in New York City, join me here... (you can also follow me on Twitter @kateatwood)
Last Sunday (hey, give a busy gal a break...its been a long week) I was so excited to catch up with my social entrepreneur pal, Brittany Merrill. Brittany, 25, is the Founder of the Ugandan American Partnership Organization. UAPO carries a mission to partner with indigenous ministries and communities to transform Uganda through sustainable development.
We first met about a year ago when we were both speakers at a conference here in Atlanta. Brittany and I shared a full day of speaking about our respective stories of giving: both how it was helping others and how much it impacted our own lives. Though our paths, mine local, Brittany's global, have been different, our journeys have in fact been very similar. Both of us had life changing moments in college that propelled our passion to start non-profits early in our lives. And both of us relied heavily on grassroots efforts to get our projects off the ground. I have so much respect for Brittany, and just think the world should know this gal and have the chance to be a part of the great work she and her team is doing in Uganda.
We caught up at the annual Pajoma Penda, a music and arts festival held at Atlanta's Park Tavern to benefit UAPO. Even though the work being done is oceans away, they remain committed to their grassroots activism here in the US for successful growth. This year's celebration was specifically to support the Mukisa Project which is a ongoing project that helps rural villages with the facilities and resources to create self-sustaining communities. I brought along my Flip as I'm trying to work on some video skills with this blog. I'm no Ann Curry, but you gotta start somewhere.
Meet Brittany.
And here we are chatting about the the awesome projects of UAPO. It's pretty amazing stuff. (Reminder: This was a music festival, so it was hard to escape the music.)
Last but not least, I had to ask Brittany how we can GET GIVING with UAPO. What I love about the way she has set this up is that there are ways you can help locally and globally. Whatever fits you...and you still can see and feel the impact.
Lately I've noticed this new wave of rockstars in our culture. I like to call them the Rockstars of Giving. They've got success, they've got lots of fans, they mingle with celebs, but most importantly they've got the most inspiring Living by Giving stories, which in my world is what gives them rockstar status. A couple of weeks ago, I got to meet one rockstar, Blake MyCoskie, of TOMS Shoes. Continuing on my tour, last night I got a chance to spend an evening with Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water. (Thanks to two of my fav Rockstars of Giving: Dan and Garrett!)
Ten years ago, you would have found Scott Harrison hanging out with the uber-wealthy and the uber-celebrity as one of New York's top club promoters. A decision to take a year of his life and dedicate it to helping others overseas, changed the course of his future for good. No longer drinking the finest Cristal, Scott embarked on a mission around clean water for all. Three years ago, he formalized his concept and started charity: water.
After this small gathering with friends, I came away entertained, inspired, and newly informed of just how vital his business and the movement following him is to our global community. The guy is as passionate about water, as rockstars are about their music. Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. That’s one in eight of us! charity:water is a solution to the crisis through its mission to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
What makes Scott a unique social entrepreneur is that as he launched his socially-driven business model, he knew he wanted to build a charitable company that answered all of the speculation and criticism often thrown around by his friends..."How much of my donation goes to the project vs. overhead costs?" " How do I know my donation is making a difference?" Scott's answer was two-fold: he would guarantee that 100% of public donations would go to his projects, and his non-profit would be as transparent as possible. (You can find his financial statements visibly posted on the website.)
In three years, he has not only stuck to his word, but he has reached unimanigable success. Here are some of my favorite things I learned:
-- With five weeks of operating $$ in the bank, Scott's dream was almost over after its first year. But thanks to a $1m gift from the Founder of Bebo, instead of closing the door, his venture took off at an amazing pace. (Can you imagine receiving that email? I dream of it.)
-- I love their Birthday campaign. They have developed a tool on their website that allows people to set-up pages for their birthday and ask friends and family to donate in honor of the big day. Celebs such as Alyssa Milano have even participated. You can start your page here: http://mycharitywater.org/p/signin
-- Since 2006, get this...charity: water has funded the construction of more than 2,321 projects that, when completed, will provide clean drinking water to over 1,000,000 people. $20 can give a person in Africa clean, safe drinking water for 20 years.
Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti this past January, I have participated in many conversations regarding the security and strategy for making cash donations to the relief efforts. It’s completely understandable: When contributing money, we want to make sure it gets into the best hands.
Often times, just making that decision can be overwhelming enough to deter people from supporting a charity. What causes are most important to support? Which organizations do we give our money to? How much do we give? How do we know it’s being used as we would like?
With this conversation in mind, I wanted this month’s column to highlight a resource here in Atlanta that can help private citizens feel more confident making financial contributions.
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has been providing educational and support services for Atlanta’s donors since 1951. You may be familiar with the Foundation from the great work they do providing funding for our local non-profit and charitable organizations. What you may not know is the Foundation offers great support services to Atlantans who want to give back and have an impact.
Today, donor-advised funds – which the Foundation helps individuals create – are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States. These funds allow private citizens to do more than just write check; they allow givers to become fully engaged in the philanthropic process.
Currently, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta works with more than 650 individual and families who have come to them with one common goal: wanting to give back. They have programs that service individuals and families that allow givers to be truly integrated into the experience of helping causes that are closest to them. The Foundation’s Center for Family Philanthropy is a great resource that helps local families engage in all aspects of giving, beyond just money.
Audrey Jacobs, director of the Center for Family Philanthropy at the Foundation states, “Philanthropy doesn’t require a significant amount of money, and many nonprofit organizations find great value in your human and intellectual investments as well. It’s about understanding what you’re passionate about and then connecting that passion to a greater purpose.”
The Center for Family Philanthropy is a great way to connect your family, even young children to the power and rewards of giving. If you are looking to build confidence in your philanthropic efforts, the Foundation can help. Its professionals understand the complexity of today’s charity landscape and are true advocates for turning ordinary people into extraordinary philanthropists.
For more information about the programs and services offered at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta visit the website www.cfgreateratlanta.org.
It was an exciting moment this week when I got a chance to meet Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS Shoes. (You may recall my earlier blog where I shyly confessed my Living by Giving crush on Blake.)
Blake spoke to the students at Vanderbilt University and we got a backdoor pass to get some inspirational time with the social entrepreneur and some of the students.
He is modest, yes, but also very proud of what he has created - and able to deliver a message to young adults of how fulfilling work and life can be, if you make the bottom line about more than just money. His business model is simple: One for one. Every time you buy a pair of TOMS Shoes, TOMS gives a pair away to a child in need. Inspiring. Impactful. And sustainable.
We asked Blake how someone can start "living by giving", you may be surprised by his answer. Check out our first clip from our interview with Blake.
Stay tuned for more clips and our interview with a very charming student who is also Living by Giving. (To purchase your very own pair of TOMS visit www.TOMSshoes.com)
Did you know that Blake and his sister were on Season 2 of the Amazing Race? He and his sister Paige lost the million dollar prize by 4 minutes...because Blake didn't want to stop for directions. I guess we are all given second chances. Blake's came when he revisited Argentina to volunteer in a small village and saw how many people, especially children, didn't have shoes.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 12:51PM 
