News on The Edge
Welcome to the Social Edge update! No, fundraising is not actually illegal, but there is a sense that it is a slightly shameful event, a bit like begging. The title of this week’s event was inspired by a session at SoCap 2010, and it captures the feeling that there is an imbalance in the system. When business entrepreneurs raise investment capital, it is perceived as an opportunity. But when it is done by social entrepreneurs, fundraising is generally seen as “asking for a favor.” In addition, nonprofits are discouraged from taking risks for new sources of revenue; and yet, such risk-taking is expected of for-profit companies. By and large, there is a lack of clarity in the fundraising system, and now is the time to find a solution, with the help of Charles (Hipbone) Cameron. Also visit Dr. O as he writes a prescription on how to solve the annual fund email syndrome, then Andy Smith and Jennifer Aaker as they write about design thinking, the process that takes a methodical approach to program and product development. Untangled also writes about design (and windshield wipers!) to remind you that you should make your offering accessible to all. Kiva Fellow Carlos Cruz Montaño, who works with Fundación Paraguaya in Asunción, strongly believes in impact assessment: “Yes, it is indeed a pain to make sure you’re doing the right thing, but it’s worth it.” Leadership coach Julie Engel Manga invites social entrepreneurs to reflect on the practices of mind, heart and body that support them in becoming long-term catalysts for change. She quotes golf legend Arnold Palmer: “It's a funny thing, the more I practice, the luckier I get.” Jonathan C. Lewis recommends 10 books for combating poverty, from fact-filled economic essays to satiric novels, and quotes Jacob Harold: “Anger is a useful motivator for short-term social change; love is more useful for long-term social change.”
Join this Week's Live Discussions  Decriminalizing Fundraising
Fundraising by social entrepreneurs may not actually be illegal, but there is a sense that it is slightly shameful, unlike fund raising by business entrepreneurs. Join Charles (Hipbone) Cameron to fix this imbalance.
What Matters
Looking for a new job? Choose a place that offers the chance to work on something meaningful. Benetech’s Jim Fruchterman helps you think why it is so important to work on What Matters! Is size the enemy of the social enterprise?
As social enterprises grow, their missions may be diluted, and greed and delusions of grandeur may even kick in. Will our fascination with size ever cease? Join Rod Schwartz, CEO of ClearlySo, in the conversation. Social Entrepreneurship and Religion
When he realized that his constituents were accepting poverty as an act of God, Saul Garlick started wondering whether religion was helping them or on the contrary slowing –or even halting– social change. The Language of Social Entrepreneurship
Consultant Gary Hamel says that humanizing the language and practice of management is both a business imperative and a moral duty. What about our own language – do we already offer a language expressive of care and concern? Join Charles (Hipbone) Cameron in the conversation. Nonprofit Analysis: Beyond Metrics
To quantify whether your social venture is high performing, you should discard simplistic measures and embrace a more holistic analysis. Sean Stannard-Stockton, CEO of Tactical Philanthropy Advisors, helps you understand the new SROI.
Do you have suggestions for Social Edge or for this newsletter? Send us feedback. You can remove yourself from this list at any time. Hope to see you on The Edge and on Twitter @socialedge! Victor d’Allant
Executive Director, Social Edge
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