"What's the latest with that philanthropy project??"
I've been hearing this a lot lately, so thought I'd provide an update! Main Street Philanthropy is growing, expanding, refining, and nearly ready to return to the scene!
For the past several months, we have been tuning up the programming as well as the overall business model. We're currently in the process of an application for tax exempt status (to be recognized as a 501c3), which is a huge step toward allowing us to grow! Once this is complete, we will be able to solicit and accept donations (investments!) in our programs in exchange for a tax deduction and the opportunity to positively impact lives. So watch out when my caller ID pops up on your phone!
We've also added a tremendous brain to our team. Providing insight and advice to our program, Scott Farnsworth, Founder and President of Sunbridge in Florida has joined our team. Together, we have added refinements to many of the exercises participants go through, we will be adding the role of mentors for each group of participants (Don't be shy in letting me know if you're interested in becoming a mentor!), and Scott will be facilitating the program on the eastern front!
We're in discussions with several new schools, organizations, and student programs that are interested in participating in the Main Street Philanthropy Challenge! (If you know of a group that would be a good fit - by all means, do tell!)
All this is super, but what might be most exciting to me is that we have become very clear with our objective for this program: "to use philanthropy to truly impact and transform the lives of people across America." The feedback from the programs so far has revealed that there is impact to those that participate, the donors to the program, the facilitators, and the organizations we evaluate. Lots of winners in this! We've revamped parts of Main Street Philanthropy to be very intentional about this impact to each of these constituents, and to measure the reach of the program. Students will be rewarded by sharing their blogs, spreading the word and shouting the message of the wonders of giving!
There's much-muchly-much more in the works, but this is all I'm sharing for now! :O) Stay tuned, get your checkbooks ready, think about mentoring students, and be on the lookout for more updates!
Until soon, ~RyP
