By Andy Carroll, Exponent Philanthropy
I regularly explore trends influencing philanthropy by spotlighting articles, reports, and essays in the media. I cast a wide net, venturing beyond philanthropy and traditional topics to consider a variety of ideas, innovations, debates, and critiques. Read previous posts in the series
Group Highlights Gap Between Wages and Housing Costs
A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition highlights the degree to which rental housing across the country is beyond the means of many working citizens. To measure the affordability of housing, the Coalition has developed a “Housing Wage,” the hourly wage a full-time worker must earn to afford a two-bedroom rental home at HUD-estimated Fair Market Rent, while spending no more than 30% of income on housing costs. Nationally, the 2014 two-bedroom Housing Wage is $18.92, well over the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and more than double what it was in 2000. The Coalition is working to raise awareness that the gap between wages and housing costs is wide and growing.
Nonprofits Try New Ways to Test Ideas Quickly
A writer for the Chronicle of Philanthropy explores how nonprofit organizations are experimenting with “lean start-up,” an approach to developing new products and services that is popular with technology companies. Nonprofits such as TechSoup Global, GuideStar, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund are asking constituents to try out selected new services early in their development, and offer feedback. Champions of lean start-up believe the process is faster, makes services more relevant to users’ needs, and allows nonprofits to take advantage of unforeseen uses and opportunities. Says Marnie Webb of TechSoup Global, which developed a computer application to allow donors to buy a hotel room for victims of domestic violence, “The central idea is that any product that we develop will get better if it lives as much of its life as possible outside of our office.”
Portraits of a Socially Minded Generation—Millennials
Recent articles explore the beliefs of Millennials, Americans born after 1980—the largest population group the United States has seen. Journalist Andrew Swinand spotlights survey data showing that a high proportion of Millennials are not affiliated with any religious faith (1 out of 4), plus data suggesting that social causes are a high priority for this generation. Millennials expect corporations to create social and environmental value, and businesses should pay attention, he says. “Philanthropy is not the result of successful businesses—it makes businesses successful.”
Aaron Hurst, a champion of social entrepreneurship, observes that Millennials have a strong desire for “purpose”—an impulse to help others and create something greater than themselves. Many nonprofit organizations fail to apply the excitement and passion of their missions to the daily work experience of their employees, he says. They therefore risk not attracting younger talent essential to future success. He recommends ways nonprofits can refashion themselves to make work purposeful and meaningful.
Preserving Family History, One Memory at a Time
Many philanthropic families seek to learn and record the values and stories of parents and grandparents who established the foundation or giving fund, to convey the founders’ legacy to younger generations.Technology offers families new ways to record these stories, according to a New York Times article. A service called StoryWorth, for example, allows a family member to compose a series of questions for a parent about their history and childhood memories. The parent receives a question each week or month, and their answers are emailed to family members and stored on a private website. “Answering the questions is very doable,” according to Nancy Mills, a parent profiled. “You’re not faced with thinking about your whole life or even what story you want to tell.” Ms. Mills found that the questions can penetrate deeper into the past than a conversation might do.
