MP2008
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Workshop: Current Trends in Micro Philanthropy
May 28-30, 2008 Ben Lomond Quaker Center Ben Lomond, California (Coastal Redwoods north of Santa Cruz)
Innovations in information technology and communications (ICT) have opened the door to efficiently supporting a large number of small-scale activities, what we are calling micro philanthropy. This workshop explores the possibilities of using "network approaches technology" for micro philanthropic activities. Network approaches represent a radical departure from traditional hierarchical approaches and open up innovative possibilities for self-organization and self-propagation that are not based on a notion that we have "too many problems and not enough money."
Examples of on- and off-line network approaches abound. Google, eBay, and Wikipedia trigger massive change from simple initial ideas. Wikipedia has millions of user-created articles in dozens of different languages.Alcoholics Anonymous (an 80 year-old "viral network") spawns addiction/dependency organizations on the principle of members helping themselves by helping each other. A viral video such as Free Hugs Campaign can reach 25 million viewers in a year -- with zero distribution or advertising costs.
While eBay and Google have well-defined transactional models for their interactions, it is not so clear how we might invoke this power of the network for "better world" activities. There are many internet-based approaches to fundraising; however, this only addresses the philanthropy-as-checkwriting perspective. But as we've seen with AA or the Free Hugs video, viral approaches may be inhibited by imposing financial models on our interaction.
By lowering or eliminating transaction costs, we have the potential for increasing the scale and breadth of interaction -- and the associated feedback we might gather. This feedback could be used for improving the quality of the network, as well as helping us to discover new patterns of uplift. This network could apply a search/amplify growth model: discovering what's working, in which contexts, and then using philanthropic resources to amplify these activities. This is fundamentally different than the more traditional plan/execute model, in which a plan is developed and funded by an organization, and then executed.
The workshop will explore innovative models of using the network for this "search/amplify" approach. Rethinking philanthropy as a massively scalable, fine-grained network opens up possible models of abundance rather than scarcity, and discovery rather than planning.
The workshop will be held over two days at the Ben Lomond Quaker Center, a rustic retreat center located in an 80 acre Redwood forest 45 minutes southwest of San Jose, California. Accommodations will be in the Orchard Lodge, with meetings in the beautiful Casa de Luz In keeping with the theme of self-organization, the center is a self-service retreat and conference center. Attendees provide their own bedding and bath towels, care for and clean the facility during their stay, and clean the facility thoroughly prior to departure. Off-site accommodations may be arranged, but the registration fee is the same for on-site or commuter participants due to the rental obligations.
Participants will include founders of social action platforms, executive and program staff from nonprofits, traditional and experimental grant-makers, as well as nonprofit technology consultants and those interested in the network theories of change. This workshop is not a time for solicitation of funds, nor will it be interesting to someone solely interested in using the internet as a fundraising tool for their organization.
Background Information
Tom Munnecke (an organizer of this workshop) and Heather Wood Ion wrote a paper on Micro Philanthropy for the 2002 Santa Fe Institute workshop, co hosted by Murray Gell-Mann who presentedOn being a Philanthropoid Ape. Tom Munnecke presented some thoughts in this Pew Internet/American Life Interview.
Previous Workshops
This is a continuation of previous workshops held by the Uplift Academy.
April 2006: How Can 6 Billion People Help Each Other to Help Themselves? Paris, France.
Nov 2005: What would a network of uplift look like? Boston, MA.
May 2004: Can We Help Google Create a Better World? Stanford, CA
July 2003: Triggering a Cascade of Uplift: Pattern Language Design Workshop Ben Lomond, CA.
May 2002: Seeds of a New Approach to Philanthropy? Santa Fe Institute, NM.
Agenda
Wednesday, May 28
An optional pre-workshop dinner in the town of Ben Lomond
Evening drinks and informal discussion at the Orchard Lodge
Thursday, May 29
9:00 Continental Breakfast, registration,
10:00 Morning Session TBD
12:30 Lunch/Open time
2:00 Afternoon Session TBD
5:00 Drinks and Appetizers in Orchard Lodge
7:00 Dinner at a local restaurant (attendees pay their own costs)
Friday, May 30
9:00 Continental Breakfast
10:00 Morning Session TBD
12:30 Lunch/Open time
2:00 Closing discussions and clean-up
3:00 Leave the Quaker Center
Travel Arrangements
San Jose airport is the closest airport. Map and Here are detailed directions to the Center. The Quaker Center is a rustic facility, set in a beautiful redwood forest. describes the Accomodations.
Registration
Our goal is to have a small, conversational group of people deeply interested in the topic. To request an invitation, please introduce yourself in an email to Peter Deitz (peterdeitz@gmail.com).
A registration fee of $175 per participant includes workshop participation, accommodation at the Quaker Center, and continental breakfasts and lunches.
Sponsors
This workshop is made possible through the support of:
(omidyar.net Micro Philanthropy Community Grant)
Photo credit: Rob Stephenson
