Trickle Forward Economics
ServiceSpace
--Paul VanSlambrouck
1 minute read
Nov 1, 2011

 

Fast Company's Trickle-Forward Economics article speaks a lot about SS's principle of not-fundraising ... Scott Harrison's nonprofit has raised over $40 million for clean water projects worldwide. Now they've started WaterForward, a pay-it-forward model of charitable giving where, for $10, a donor inscribes a friend of his or her choosing in a public book; each donor can only be in the book once, so any sense of reciprocation has to be directed to another friend, hopefully sparking a cascade of forward reciprocity.  "It doesn't start with an ask, it starts with a give," explains Harrison. "We don't use our social media to ever ask for money," keeping consistent with the strategy that an ask for money will likely terminate the relationship after the donation, but storytelling keeps both the initial donor and future donors engaged.  "We've outsourced our fundraising to you," says Harrison, who explains that charity: water's strategy has been to spread their message by transforming gift-getting events into gift-giving opportunities.   For instance, in 2006, Harrison decided to give up birthday presents in exchange for his age, 32, in dollar donations ($32, $320, or $3,200).    "You've turned your birthday into a celebration of generosity," he says. "Instead of going out and saying 'Ugh, please give money for my birthday,' you're sharing an opportunity with them."

 

Posted by Paul VanSlambrouck on Nov 1, 2011