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Philanthropy, Responsible Investing
Gratitude: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Expressions of gratitude motivate others’ prosocial behavior. When people are thanked for their efforts, they experience stronger feelings of social worth, which inspires them to engage in further helpful acts. In short, gratitude proves to be the gift that keeps on giving because it makes others feel valued.
![[photo - Trae Vassallo, general partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and cofounder]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/trae_vassallo.png "[photo - Trae Vassallo, general partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and cofounder of Good Technologies: \"Great ideas are not solitary things. Feedback from other people is the best catalyst.\"]")
For this venture capitalist, it all comes down to connecting with people – from family to coworkers to customers.
![[photo - Photo: Doug McAdam]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/doug%20mcadam%205061.jpg "[photo - Photo: Doug McAdam]")
How are engaged citizens made? In this audio lecture, sponsored by the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Stanford sociology professor Doug McAdam argues that youth volunteering does not directly result in active citizens or a robust civil society. Instead, the responses to youth activism are varied and driven by historical and cultural context.
Research Resources
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010
Improving the lives of disadvantaged populations—whether through better schools, after-school programs, or teen pregnancy prevention clinics—requires proven theories of change. The very development of a field depends on their diffusion, replication, critique, and modification. Yet some organizations refuse to articulate a theory of change and some funders think it would be intrusive to demand that they do so. The interests of all concerned are served by a developmental approach to creating and evaluating theories of change
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010
How funders can help grantees track their progress more effectively
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010
The secret ingredient of radical innovation
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010
In the time it takes to update your Facebook page, you could be making the world a slightly better place
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2010
“By paying so much attention to managing their own risks, philanthropists are no longer attending to the marginalized people who risk so much to make change happen,” says Sheela Patel in this First Person.
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
For this venture capitalist, it all comes down to connecting with people – from family to coworkers to customers.
Resource: News Article
![[photo - Gratitude]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/Thanks_website.jpg "[photo - Gratitude]")
Expressions of gratitude motivate others’ prosocial behavior. When people are thanked for their efforts, they experience stronger feelings of social worth, which inspires them to engage in further helpful acts. In short, gratitude proves to be the gift that keeps on giving because it makes others feel valued.
Resource: News Article
Social entrepreneurs, those organizations and individuals who work to improve major social issues, don't have the networks and financial systems of traditional entrepreneurs, Sally Osberg, president of the Skoll Foundation told a Stanford MBA audience. Like Ginger Rogers dancing in a 1940's musical, they face the same issues as traditional entrepreneurs, but must do it backwards in high heels.
Resource: News Article
![[photo - Rupert Scofield]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/scofield_rupert.jpg "[photo - Rupert Scofield]")
Social enterprises hold potential to "effect the kinds of changes our society needs right now," social entrepreneur Rupert Scofield told a Stanford student audience.
Resource: News Article
In this Spring 2011 Prosocial Behavior Research Column, Frank Flynn explores research showing that the most generous, trusting, and helpful people are not those with more money, but, rather, those with less. Individuals in lower socio-economic classes tend to act in a more prosocial fashion because of a greater commitment to egalitarian values and heightened feelings of compassion for others. Put simply, the life stressors and challenges faced by those who struggle economically often spur greater social cooperation. Might the "haves" take a lesson from the altruism of the "have nots?"
Resource: News Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009
THE UNFINISHED PRESIDENCY by Douglas Brinkley Review by John Wood
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009
When donor gifts are public, social approbation is reward enough.
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009
From pink ribbons to Product Red, cause marketing adroitly serves two masters, earning profits for corporations while raising funds for charities. Yet the short-term benefits of cause marketing—also known as consumption philanthropy—belie its long-term costs. These hidden costs include individualizing solutions to collective problems; replacing virtuous action with mindless buying; and hiding how markets create many social problems in the first place. Consumption philanthropy is therefore unsuited to create real social change. —By Angela M. Eikenberry
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2009
Uhuru will manage a conventional fund of hedge funds with an attention to social values.
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2009
MONEY WELL SPENT: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey Review by Susan Berresford
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
The economic crisis should spur nonprofits to focus on their mission and foundations to give more.
Resource: Blog Post
The Hewlett Foundation president joins the legions of bloggers.
Resource: Blog Post
Heisman is cautiously optimistic about charitable giving in the recession.
Resource: Blog Post
Obama’s new spirit of service and giving should be a boon to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Resource: Blog Post
The Internet will increasingly be used to build momentum for social change.
Resource: Blog Post
In the frenzy over accountability, funders, donors, and the general public are calling for more program evaluation. Yet few understand how expensive and complex good evaluation is. Speaking at the 2006 Nonprofit Management Institute at Stanford, Alana Conner, senior editor of the Stanford Social Innovation Review illustrates how half-hearted evaluation can do more harm than good. Rick Aubry and Victor Kuo join her to give nonprofit and foundation perspectives.
Resource: Audio
![[photo - Kriss Deiglmeier]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/3568%5B1%5D.jpg "[photo - Kriss Deiglmeier]")
With valuable advice for all types of entrepreneurs, this Stanford Entrepreneurship Week panel offers a unique perspective for funding a social enterprise startup. In this panel discussion, Kriss Deiglmeier leads an engaging discussion between funders and social entrepreneurs that provides actionable advice and insightful lessons in this discussion from the second annual Social Entrepreneurship Day at Stanford University.
Resource: Audio
![[photo - Yasmina Zaidman]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/3228%5B1%5D.jpg "[photo - Yasmina Zaidman]")
How can philanthropy and markets be used to promote international development? In this audio lecture, Yasmina Zaidman describes how the Acumen model supports microenterprises that are helping to alleviate poverty. She also shares the opportunities and challenges the organization faces.
Resource: Audio
![[photo - Roger Martin, Martin Fisher, Mindy Lubber, JD Taddy Blecher, Roshaneh Zafar]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/3255%5B1%5D.jpg "[photo - Roger Martin, Martin Fisher, Mindy Lubber, JD Taddy Blecher, Roshaneh Zafar]")
Social enterprise and innovation are about more than just invention. In this panel discussion, experts argue that diffusion or scaling up ideas is an integral part of making truly effective social change. Educators, nonprofit executives, and philanthropists share their perspectives about how to take innovative ideas for social change to that tipping point where they can create large-scale, lasting positive effects.
Resource: Audio
![[photo - Charles Handy]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/3259%5B1%5D.jpg "[photo - Charles Handy]")
In Britain, something is happening that hasn't for 100 years. More people are becoming incredibly wealthy, not only through inheritance, but also because of their own hard work. A phenomenon on this scale has not happened since the Victorian industrialists. In this audio lecture, Philosopher Charles Handy tells his 2007 Skoll World Forum audience about entrepreneurs who put their energies into meeting some perceived social need--something that government never gets around to and that private enterprise typically doesn't see a market for.
Resource: Audio
![[Video-Using Entrepreneurial Approaches to Solve the Problems of Global Poverty]](http://img.youtube.com/vi/DJKD7jYyOmk/0.jpg "[Video-Using Entrepreneurial Approaches to Solve the Problems of Global Poverty]")
In turbulent times like ours, we need “hard-edged hope,” says Jacqueline Novogratz, the much-celebrated founder of the Acumen Fund. Affirming that the world is indeed a better place now than it was 40 years ago, she traces her own journey from a childhood witnessing racial inequities all around her in Detroit to a career leading the field of social impact investing. Novogratz rallies the community of Stanford business graduates to be part of the new generation of innovative problem solvers.
Resource: Video
![[Video-Opportunities In Environmental Area]](http://img.youtube.com/vi/pxAR0qZzS3Y/0.jpg "[Video-Opportunities In Environmental Area]")
How do environmental challenges create growth opportunities, new markets, and innovation? Two Goldman Sachs managers discuss how their investment firm is making the financing of corporate deals contingent upon the incorporation of increasingly stringent environmental criteria.
Resource: Video
![[Video-Community Foundations]](http://img.youtube.com/vi/xws0z0-GlxA/0.jpg "[Video-Community Foundations]")
Community foundations have become an increasingly common outlet for charitable giving in the United States. In this panel discussion, led by Julie Juergens, the director of the Center for Social Innovation, community foundation leaders discuss innovative models for foundations as well as challenges faced by this sector.
Resource: Video
![[Video-Value Creation]](http://img.youtube.com/vi/dN0jL1ACCYg/0.jpg "[Video-Value Creation]")
The nonprofit sector delivers social value and the for-profit sector delivers economic value, right? Wrong! Jed Emerson argues that value is nondivisible, whole, and blended. He invites us to think beyond philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, social enterprise, and other limiting mindsets.
Resource: Video
![[photo - Laura Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/podcast_img/3718%5B1%5D.jpg "[photo - Laura Arrillaga]")
Venture philanthropy and other new products and trends indicate that philanthropy has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Donors are younger than ever before and foundations have become increasingly professionalized. In this audio interview, sponsored by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, philanthropy expert Peter Hero interviews Laura Arrillaga, a leader in Silicon Valley, about developments that are now making philanthropy a powerhouse for social change.
Resource: Audio
In the frenzy over accountability, funders, donors, and the general public are calling for more program evaluation. Yet few understand how expensive and complex good evaluation is. Speaking at the 2006 Nonprofit Management Institute at Stanford, Alana Conner, senior editor of the Stanford Social Innovation Review illustrates how half-hearted evaluation can do more harm than good. Rick Aubry and Victor Kuo join her to give nonprofit and foundation perspectives.
Resource: Audio
With valuable advice for all types of entrepreneurs, this Stanford Entrepreneurship Week panel offers a unique perspective for funding a social enterprise startup. In this panel discussion, Kriss Deiglmeier leads an engaging discussion between funders and social entrepreneurs that provides actionable advice and insightful lessons in this discussion from the second annual Social Entrepreneurship Day at Stanford University.
Resource: Audio
How do environmental challenges create growth opportunities, new markets, and innovation? Two Goldman Sachs managers discuss how their investment firm is making the financing of corporate deals contingent upon the incorporation of increasingly stringent environmental criteria.
Resource: Video
How can philanthropy and markets be used to promote international development? In this audio lecture, Yasmina Zaidman describes how the Acumen model supports microenterprises that are helping to alleviate poverty. She also shares the opportunities and challenges the organization faces.
Resource: Audio
Case Studies : All | Academic Cases
No Results Found
In 2009, software giant SAP funded an initiative that aims to reinforce the shea nut and butter value chain in Ghana. The program, which also involves microfinance organizations PlaNet Finance, Grameen Ghana and Maata-N-Tudu, uses microfinance, education, and information technology to improve the conditions of shea women. Since enrolling in the program, women have seen significant improvements in income. This case study examines program progress to date and makes recommendations for program improvements using a value chain development framework.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Robert A. Burgelman]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/burgelman-robert-a_5.jpg "[photo - Robert A. Burgelman]")
The Kinetics and Michael J. Fox Foundations both support research on Parkinson’s disease. This second case explores how these two organizations collaborate toward a common mission.
Resource: Academic Case
John Goldman established the South Peninsula Jewish Community Teen Foundation in 2003, an innovative program that teaches Bay Area Jewish teens to run their own charitable foundation by developing mission statements, raising money, and distributing funds. As of 2009, the program has scaled to four chapters and raised and distributed $178,321 in funds.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - William F. Meehan III]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/meehan-william-f_1.jpg "[photo - William F. Meehan III]")
The best nonprofits don’t necessarily get the most money, observed William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's Philanthropy Program officer Jacob Harold and president Paul Brest in 2007. From there they started exploring how they could improve the marketplace and how donors give their money. To that effect they hired consulting firm McKinsey & Company to explore the online information marketplace for giving space at a macro level, looking at trends and opportunities. Armed with data they then tried to figure out what to do.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Robert A. Burgelman]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/burgelman-robert-a_4.jpg "[photo - Robert A. Burgelman]")
The Kinetics and Michael J. Fox Foundations both support research on Parkinson’s disease. This first case describes the creation, mission, and strategy of the two organizations.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - James A. Phills]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/phills-james-a_18.jpg "[photo - James A. Phills]")
The X PRIZE Foundation originated as prize competitions for significant development in the exploration of outer space. Several problems faced the organization as it began to focus on fields outside of space, including whether prize competitions could work in areas such as poverty.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - William F. Meehan III]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/meehan-william-f_10.jpg "[photo - William F. Meehan III]")
The Acumen Fund provides modest amounts of capital, combined with business expertise, to help build enterprises that would serve the poor. The case describes the fund’s approach to helping address water resource problems in developing countries.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - George Foster]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/foster-george.jpg "[photo - George Foster]")
The Canary Fund supports the development of methods for early cancer detection. This first case describes the choice to sponsor a high-profile racing event to raise funding and awareness.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_17.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
A conference at Stanford brought together professionals from foundations to share best practices, discuss emerging innovations, and build professional networks. This summary presents key issues discussed.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_16.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
The Altman Foundation was established to serve the people of New York City. By 2005, the foundation was poised to take its strategic philanthropy to the next level by implementing a broader system of research and evaluation.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_6.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
This paper discusses how socioeconomic results are quantified with traditional financial measures. It briefly outlines the methodology used by the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_3.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
The CEO of the Global Fund for Women, an organization that seeds and supports women’s rights groups, must examine how to guide the fund’s growth without having it lose its connections with donors and grantees. She also wonders how the fund could do better at assessing grant outcomes and sharing success stories.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - David W. Brady]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/brady-david-w.jpg "[photo - David W. Brady]")
Mirae, a group of affluent housewives in Seoul, is working to prepare for the reunification of the North and South by raising strategic funds. The group ponders how to create a nonprofit in a society that has traditionally thought of charity as an intra-family issue.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_4.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
The Hewlett Foundation has used a theory-of-change model to structure its planning and evaluation efforts. In 2001, the Foundation endeavored to increase its effectiveness and accountability by formalizing its planning and assessment practices.
Resource: Academic Case
![[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/arrillaga-laura-kathryne_1.jpg "[photo - Laura K. Arrillaga]")
Community Foundation Silicon Valley President Peter Hero considers whether the Foundation should continue to focus on providing an array of donor services or on building an unrestricted endowment. He also reflects on whether the Foundation would best be supported by a large number of diverse donors or a smaller set of high-value donors.
Resource: Academic Case
Research Papers : All
Young companies trying to enter parts of the health care industry by focusing on helping patients stay healthy and allowing safety net providers to use their resources have a hard time attracting venture capital funds that focus more on traditional profit. A recent article by two Stanford Graduate School of Business researchers argues that it's time to change this pattern.
Resource: Research Paper
![[photo - baron]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/baron-david-p_24.jpg "[photo - baron]")
Social pressure plays a major role in determining corporate strategy and performance according to an award-winning paper coauthored by Professor David Baron. The researchers find that social pressure and social performance reinforce each other, greater social pressure is associated with lower financial performance, and financial and social performance are largely unrelated.
Resource: Research Paper
Asking would-be donors for their time, not their money, is a better way for charities to increase donations, says professor Jennifer Aaker. Asking donors first to volunteer their time can positively shift their willingness to give both time and money.
Resource: Research Paper
![[photo - James E. Emerson]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/2929_1.jpg "[photo - James E. Emerson]")
This study presents fundamental concepts of markets, capital markets, and social capital markets. It also highlights select initiatives underway in early 2007 that sought to improve the functioning of social capital markets.
Resource: Research Paper
![[photo - James E. Emerson]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/James-E.-Emerson_7.jpg "[photo - James E. Emerson]")
This essay explores how the lines are blurring between for-profit businesses and nonprofits that do social good. It outlines examples of companies that embody "blended value" and discusses barriers to sustainable capitalism, and the role of philanthropy in supporting it.
Resource: Research Paper
Courses : All
No Results Found
Innovators : All
![[photo - Roger Coates]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/social_innovator_picture/Roger%20Coates.jpg "[photo - Roger Coates]")
Roger is currently starting an investment partnership for affordable housing in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Resource: Alumni
![[photo - Jacqueline Novogratz]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/social_innovator_picture/novogratz.jpg "[photo - Jacqueline Novogratz]")
In turbulent times like ours, we need “hard-edged hope,” says Jacqueline Novogratz, the much-celebrated founder of the Acumen Fund. Affirming that the world is indeed a better place now than it was 40 years ago, she traces her own journey from a childhood witnessing racial inequities all around her in Detroit to a career leading the field of social impact investing.
Resource: Alumni
![[photo - Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/social_innovator_picture/LauraArrillagaAndreessen_0.jpg "[photo - Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen]")
Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen explains how to make your giving matter more.
Resource: Alumni
![[photo - Brian Cox]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/social_innovator_picture/Brian%20Cox_0.jpg "[photo - Brian Cox]")
The poorest regions of the world pose high risks for microfinance. Brian Cox, President of MFX Solutions, discusses how currency risk education can increase the flow of resources to Africa and other high-risk regions.
Resource: Alumni
![[photo - Daryn Dodson]](http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/csi.gsb.stanford.edu/files/imagecache/img75x75/social_innovator_picture/Daryn%20Dodson_0.jpg "[photo - Daryn Dodson]")
Daryn Dodson is passionate about identifying and developing leaders with a social conscience. He has turned that passion into action by promoting entrepreneurship in post-Katrina New Orleans and in his current impact investment consulting role.
Resource: Alumni
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2011
DO MORE THAN GIVE: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World by Leslie R. Crutchfield, John V. Kania, & Mark R. Kramer
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2011
Foundation Source Access, the new eHarmony for family foundations, gives smaller donors access to a wide variety of innovative funding opportunities.
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
What if you could influence people to act on their best intentions? Professor Jennifer Aaker has spent most of her career researching the science of getting people to do the right thing.
Resource: Audio
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011
Foundations often undermine their own efforts by micromanaging how social problems are solved. Two insiders explore why foundations have developed this way and what grant makers can do to foster high impact strategies.
Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program is helping women in 22 countries in the developing world start and grow businesses, Dina Habib Powell, who oversees the effort told a business school audience.
Resource: News Article
