Topic: Responsible Investing

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 discussion, 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.

The Industrial Revolution ushered in an era of technological change, leading to better standards of living for us today. Yet this progress has taken a toll on the non-renewable resources of our planet. Given the accelerated rate at which developing nations now follow in our footsteps in the exploitation of natural resources, how long will our planet be able to sustain such growth? Panelists Harriet Babbitt, Nancy Birdsall, Lawrence Summers and Cameron Sinclair discuss the meaning of, and ways to achieve, sustainable development.

As the boundary between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds continues to blur, how may philanthropy evolve to assist social change? A panel of academics and practitioners discusses how public- and private-sector support may be combined in new ways in the future to fund progressive domestic and global social enterprises.

Based in Silicon Valley, Kiva is an innovative social enterprise that uses the internet to connect lenders with small businesses around the world. Jessica Flannery talks with Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman about starting the organization, and reflects on some of the reasons for its rapid growth and success.

In conversation with John Battelle, legendary technologist Pierre Omidyar explains the philosophy and business plan underlying his new network for investment in for-profit ventures which foster economic, social, and political self-empowerment. Applying lessons learned from his founding of eBay, this new investment strategy is based on the belief that people are basically good, and that connecting them with the right tools can build trust and opportunity.

When approaching funders and volunteers you must "come from a space of opportunity and not from a space of need" argues Pamela Hawley at the 2007 Nonprofit Boot Camp. Drawing from her experience with UniversalGiving and VolunteerMatch, Hawley describes what it takes to create a successful social entrepreneurship organization.

Mission, vision, and values are the essential ingredients of a transformational process which brings philanthropists and organizations together to meet critical community needs. Kay Sprinkel Grace approaches fundraising with an attitude of pride and power. She explains how donors are inspired to invest in an organization that communicates shared beliefs by taking real action to benefit those in need.

For years, many believed that socially responsible investments could simply not hold up to traditional investments. Social capital market experts dispel the myths associated with socially responsible investing, and look toward the future of what is to come as more and more funds offer social choices.

A new generation of innovative philanthropists is helping to transform charitable giving. This panel discussion highlights the philosophy of three young, but outstanding, organizations in the strategic philanthropic field. Panelists emphasize the targeted use of wealth to address specific social challenges.

Community foundations have become an increasingly common outlet for charitable giving and activities in the United States. In this panel discussion, community foundation leaders discuss innovative models for turning dollars into social change, as well as challenges faced by this important sector of philanthropy.