Democratizing Access to Philanthropy
Philanthropy has traditionally been associated with wealthy individuals and large corporations who donate significant amounts of money to charitable causes.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to democratize access to philanthropy and redefine the traditional definition of a philanthropist. Brian Ford, Co-Founder of For Purpose, a company that aims to modernize philanthropy is on a mission to make giving back more accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of their financial means.
To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.
For Purpose's mission is to change this perception by organizing movements in specific cause areas that anyone can be a part of, giving them a clear call to action and entry point to support various causes. Brian emphasizes the importance of converting the "intention to give into action" by providing people with a way to express their philanthropic intentions and integrate giving back into their daily lives.
For Purpose works to meet people where they are, allowing them to make a difference in ways that they already enjoy. Brian shares his personal story of growing up in a privileged background in Newport Beach, California, and how his realization of the gap in opportunity and access inspired him to respond in a positive way. The company's goal is to make philanthropy more engaging and accessible to everyone.
Brian criticizes the current social media culture that focuses on flaunting material possessions and believes that philanthropy should be a similar status symbol but through more productive means. The conversation then shifts to the high expectations that individuals have of themselves in the nonprofit space and the pressure to find their purpose.
People should allow themselves to experiment and test different experiences to arrive at their purpose, and that it's okay for interests to change over time. Auditing one's social circle and being intentional about who they are becoming to upgrade and evolve their environment. Environment is a crucial factor in discipline and behavior change, and setting up a schedule that is conducive to philanthropic activities can make it easier for people to get involved in social impact.
For Purpose aims to make the barrier to entry as low as possible by understanding human behavior and implementing practical design. Brian discusses the importance of making it easy for people to get involved in making a difference. For example, "Burpees for Vets" is a peer-to-peer fundraiser that encourages fitness enthusiasts to honor military heroes by doing a workout and raising money for veterans' causes. Brian has curated a list of five nonprofits that benefit from the campaign and provides resources to help fundraisers overcome obstacles and communicate the impact of their efforts.
By doing this heavy lifting in advance, the experience is seamless for people to make a meaningful contribution to a cause they care about. The organization provides a package that outlines what is expected of participants and offers fundraising coaching and accountability.The campaigns aim to access new audiences and get them involved in the conversation around philanthropy.
Lastly, Brian emphasizes the importance of showing up every day for personal growth and shares how his daily podcast, Self Improvement Daily, has helped him hold himself accountable and reinforce his growth mindset. Brian also discusses the hierarchy of inspiring people to improve themselves, starting with simply reminding oneself of the belief in personal growth and then progressing to more complex and committed actions.
Get engaged with Brian Ford, For Purpose, and take a listen to Self Improvement Daily!
To listen/watch to the this full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.
