A 21st Century Philanthropic Model for Philanthropy
(PRWEB) December 02, 2013 -- Can you conceive of a world without age-related disease, disability and suffering? What about a world in which it’s possible for the average person to live 120 healthy years? While it may sound like a utopian dream, such a world is the exact goal of some of society’s most brilliant scientists and visionary leaders. At this very minute, groundbreaking work is underway at universities across the globe as researchers attempt to apply regenerative medicine to age-related disease through the repair of damage to tissue, cells and molecules within the body. While this research couldn’t be possible without the leadership of the world’s wealthiest philanthropists, it also relies upon the collective power of everyday people who have joined forces in their commitment to a better quality of life for all. The Methuselah Foundation’s “The 300” is a shining example of how a collective vision toward an extraordinary goal can significantly impact the future of society.
A new funding model, in particular, is turning this traditional fundraising tenet on its head. Instead of resigning themselves solely to the influence of the individual, non-profits are turning to the collective power of a group. The Methuselah Foundation’s “The 300 Pledge” fundraising campaign is an exciting example of this method in practice.
The 300 Pledge asks 300 funders to commit $1,000 a year for 25 years toward critical research aimed at ending age-related diseases. When broken down, this goal is manageable for many households: just $3 a day or $85 a month–less than your daily tab at Starbucks. Obviously, the model is working: to date, 291 people have taken up the challenge, with nine spots remaining. When the goal is reached, a monument will be erected in honor of these leaders. Additionally, each participant will have the phenomenal satisfaction of knowing they played a pivotal role in the accomplishment of Methuselah Foundation’s transcendent goal.
“As evidenced by the magnificent philanthropy of people like Peter Thiel, Bill Gates and others like them, it’s obvious that one person can make a difference,” said Jason Hope, entrepreneur, futurist, philanthropist, and investor located in Scottsdale, Arizona, “However, fundraising challenges, like Methuselah Foundation’s 'The 300,' also demonstrate the power of a dedicated group of people to foster real world change for the billions of people living in the world today as well as the generations that follow. In doing so, those who take up the challenge create a unique and world-altering legacy for themselves.”
To read the full article, please visit http://jasonhope.com/a-21st-century-philanthropic-model-for-philanthropy/.
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