Can Volunteerism And Service Become Profitable?

As noted in Arianna Huffington's recent blog post, All for Good: A New Craigslist for Service highlights the call for volunteerism.

'Cause-wired' online social activism is a reality, unleashing the potential of a golden age for causes. Innovative web tools, online story-telling and social media are coming of age. Gathering people online is easier and less costly than ever before, and the opportunity of digital citizen engagement to create social movements is unprecedented.

"There are two trend lines heading for a collision in philanthropy and social change movements - on one hand, people are ever more conscious of philanthropy and its role in commerce and society;
on the other, these people are talking to each other
more so than ever before."
Tom Watson, author, CauseWired.

But what if volunteerism and service could become a profitable business?
What if there were a hybrid investment model - a sort of stock market for charity, that combined:

• Investment
• Philanthropy
• And a Green FUND Offering

A proprietary search tool would aggregate companies, service organizations, non-profits, and goods and services, vet their authenticity, and offer them up as available investment choices -- an online green pages/equity exchange for social activism.

There would be searchable editorial content across basic pillars of social activism: Green Building, Mortgage Refugees, Non Profits, Education, Natural Lifestyles, Alternative Energy, Alternative Transportation, and Eco-Tourism.

Why now?

Search, specifically Google, the first language of the Web, translates intention and inquiry into outcome.

Social Networking (i.e., MySpace, Facebook, Twitter) the second language of the Web, enables social engagement and now rivals Google in impact.

Site Networking, (i.e. Facebook Connect) the most extensive iteration of Web language, promotes the integration of information and action among web users...and creates a 'socialization of presence.'

The amplification of all that social intention is spreading across the web... The conversation is evolving, from short bursts of declared intent inside a query bar, to ongoing, ambient declaration of social actions."

John Battelle, CEO, Federated Media

The collapse of business-as-usual, consumer demand for accountability, increasing citizen engagement, and the Obama administration's focus on personal impact and transparency are reshaping markets and ushering in a new era for sustainable companies and good business by doing well.

" The greatest potential of social media lies in its ability to enable and encourage people to do social good." Joe Marchese, President, Social Vibe

If volunteerism and being of service become a profitable business - the web will truly have found its heartbeat.

Would you invest?

Comments

[Stephen Anfield]

I love this post *AND* the comments because now I know that my idea isn't completely far-fetched!! I've already started working on this!!

I've generated a great deal of interest, and I intend to see it through until it's something HUGE!

If you know of anyone who'd like to support me, please let me know!! I've got a few non-profits behind me already, and I am working closely with one as we speak!

Thanks y'all for lighting a fire under my bottom. I was skeptical about my own idea, but now... I am gonna do this!!

Do y'all know of anyone else who would support me?

[Alicia Scotti]

Why must "profit" always mean dollars? One of the main things wrong with our society today is associating everything with the almighty dollar sign.

[Raymar Hampshire]

There is a project in Pittsburgh called SponsorChange that has finished it's first program that involved community members sponsoring 10 young professionals to lead service projects in the community and participants were awarded $20/hour of service that was transferred to their student loans. Go to www.sponsorchange.org to read more about the program and it's participants.

[oustfan]

I'm reading cliches and buzzwords and not much else.

The entire point of volunteerism is to bring about a profit for somebody else. To volunteer your time in hopes of bringing profits for yourself is called an investment.

[Jacqueline Regis]

Indeed the time of this idea has come. Most of us always want to make a difference and contribute in some way to improving society. What sometimes stands in the way is the feeling that we can't afford to contribute. It feels like we are struggling as it to make ends meet. Other times, while we want to contribute positively to advance social progress, we have to honestly face the question: what's in it for me? The idea, Sheila, that "volunteerism and service can become profitable" resolves both of these concerns and makes it in our individual best interest and the best interest of the larger society to be philantropic. Our concern for individual welfare, to my way of thinking, is legitimate and so is the need for our meanningful contribution to society. This idea makes it a win-win that can only propel communities forward.

[mrbuzzard]

A terrific article and idea which is most likely happening as we speak. The concept is in a way sort of what art is supposed to be about -- put your money where your heart is. If this could happen, would certainly make a more sincere society.
Of course this assumes we know our hearts! My feeling is that this is the first hurdle facing society.

[sarahengel]

It's a wonderful, timely idea. And I am certain it can be structured to avoid the concern expressed by RoseMerry. Investing in good has to be better than investing in the Fortune 100. I hope I have any money left after the Bush years to invest.

[RoseMerry]

What if volunteerism and service could become a profitable business? You mean, like the way private companies took over the hospitals from charites?

It will succeed and then work to maximum profits and then the poor will be left out.

[cinemaven]

I was trying to think of a reason this gave me the shivers... private companies taking over the hospitals is the perfect reason!! Volunteerism and service is probably the most profitable thing a person can do but the profit is measured in happiness, contentment, empathy, community and fellowship instead of in cash and it should/must remain that way!!

[Susan Haymer]

Definitely an idea whose time has come. What's the next step?