Friday, April 16, 2010

Data are the new platform for change

I had the great honor of spending a day learning with several Internet entrepreneurs, leading online giving marketplace managers in the UK, Dame Stephanie Shirley - the UK Ambassador for Philanthropy, and several scholars at the Oxford Internet Institute on Wednesday, 14 April. You can find the slides from the presentation here and the text of the presentation here and here. I will post video as soon as I get it.

Here is the basic argument:
  • Data are the new platform for change
  • Data and technology and social enterprise are not coincidental trends in philanthropy; they are linked
  • These two trends are fundamentally disrupting the types of enterprises that produce, and are privileged for producing, social goods.
  • These new enterprises are bringing with them demand for new types of governance
  • Changes in the enterprises and governance structures are changing how we finance social goods
  • Changes in enterprises, governance, and finance demand new regulatory structures, tax and corporate privileges
  • Taken together, this all leads to fundamental disruption of how we produce, distribute, and finance social goods.
That the speech coincided with the opening of the Skoll World Forum 2010 was key. It was also remarkable that Guidestar International and TechSoup Global went public with their merger on Wednesday, and that the Foundation Center and Grantsfire announced their alliance the same week. The day of open data in philanthropy - of data as the platform for change - is upon us.

I'm delighted that we will be able to pursue these issues of Open Data and Philanthropy with colleagues in DC and around the country via live stream in a first-ever event on May 10. I am working with the New America Foundation, HAND Foundation, and Sunlight Foundation to host a "datajam brainstorm" on open data and philanthropy. More details soon.

Enjoy!

1 comment:

JOAN JAECKEL said...

Lucy,
Following you on twitter!
Been thirsting for the idea of 'data as platform for change'. Thanks for the water.
In your presentation you describe how this works for a short-term project like a crisis where data help people pull together to get 'er done.
I'm wondering how to apply this concept to the "social goods" of starting up a meaningful network of public 'Waldorf education' charter schools in Los Angeles.
A Waldorf teacher needs not just a CA teaching credential, but also a Waldorf teacher credential. This takes two years on top of a BA. Steiner College now offers an MA with a concentration in Waldorf education so that teachers can get their Waldorf certification along with their MA.
Mission realization requires a meaningful increase in certified Waldorf teachers. Need scholarships! Oh, that word sounds so old. :-) How do we get the word out? Or how do we get the word in?
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you!
Joan Jaeckel
joan.jaeckel@gmail.com
[on twitter!]
whole.org
Acting Director elriocharterschool.org
Board Member
oceancharterschool.org
Board Member
steinercollege.edu