Our world is undergoing rapid change and yet, we are experiencing more and more interconnectedness that at times can be confusing. During these challenging and exciting times, the significance and importance of community cannot be overstated.
As entrepreneurs, thought leaders and/or creators, we often find ourselves navigating a complex landscape, striving for success while seeking to make a positive impact. However, it’s crucial to recognize that our journey is not a solitary one; rather, it’s deeply intertwined with the communities that surround and support us.
Take a moment to reflect on the remarkable individuals within your community who embody the spirit of social entrepreneurship. Take Rebecca Darwent, someone who I have worked with and greatly admire in how she has taken an idea and turned it into exponential impact.
Rebecca is the Co-Founder of the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC), that was created during the global pandemic in 2020. Her tenacity for change was demonstrated using a combination of strategic fundraising, community engagement, and advocacy efforts, she spearheaded a historic capital transfer of $200 million from the Canadian government, supplemented by an additional $25 million from private, public, and corporate partners. This monumental achievement exemplifies the potential of community-based initiatives to effect systemic change and address pressing social issues.
Rebecca’s 2023 TED talk, “How to fund real change in your community,” champions inclusive strategies, resource mobilization and showcases how collective action can drive meaningful impact. Her work serves as a shining example of the transformative power of community-driven initiatives.
We can be inspired by Rebecca’s work:
- Prioritize collaboration over competition. By forging alliances and fostering a culture of inclusivity, we can harness the collective wisdom and resources of our communities to tackle complex challenges.
- Each one of us has the power to make an impact. Use your voice, your influence and your knowledge to create change.
- Cultivate an environment that values and embraces empathy and understanding. By actively listening to the needs and aspirations of those around us, we can co-create solutions that serve our communities and empower those within to step up and speak out.
As entrepreneurs, thought leaders and creators, let’s find our own way to create impact within the communities we serve. Let Rebecca’s story provide the direction we need to find our own path so that we can co-create a more equitable and sustainable future—one community at a time.
Purpose-Driven Philanthropy – Redefining Generosity
By: Rebecca Darwent – TED Speaker, Philanthropic Advisor
Purpose driven giving may be a new term for some of you, however, its a call back to the community support that our parents and grandparents grew up with. In those times, we gave to our community when it need help. we helped those people and causes who needed a little extra support and we looked to the causes that supported our community and made sure they were also supported if they needed it.
Purpose driven giving is about creating social impact and fostering connection through intentional action. Instead of giving on auto-pilot, to our alma mater or to the “big disease cause”, take a pause, consider where support will make the biggest impact. We can still give to the school or the disease cause, however where else might we send some of our support.
I’ve developed a framework for holistic giving that focuses on a reciprocal contribution model vs the old top down charity model. This is a way for each of us to activate our generosity and create an annual process for deciding how we support our communities:
- REFLECT Awareness Mapping
- What are you doing – map out your current activities
- Do this in December / January annually
- QUESTION Intention / Purpose driven giving opportunities
- Where do you have unconscious bias in your current giving
- What groups / communities / causes are underfunded
- What are you passionate about
- CHOOSE
- What’s your contribution to building a sustainable and inclusive future?
- Your vision for your intentional giving?
- What do you want to give – time, influence, money, there are many ways to support
- When & how will you contribute – create a calendar
- TAKE ACTION
- Contribute
- Celebrate your holistic generosity