On giving

On giving

1. About the role of the third sector in the current world

2. The size of the third sector

3. Astonishing examples

4. Why is it should be important for you

5. Main rules for philanthropy‍

1. About the role of the third sector in the current world

The third sector now is a necessary element of society. It seems that the third sector competes with the first one (government) but actually, it complements the government. The third and first sectors have their own comparative advantages. The government has hugely more resources and more professional specialists (in regard to preparation), the third sector has more clear motivation and more accurate information “bottom”. So, in contemporary economics the most effective way for society is considered as the partnership of government and the third sector: the government does the major job (in building public infrastructure etc.) but the third sector gets to where the government does not fit well.

2. The size of the third sector

The third sector now is a really big sector of the economy. In different estimations it contributes 5-12% of GDP (differently in different countries) and up to 20% of total workforce. And all projections say that this sector will grow faster than the average pace of the economy. So, NPI (nonprofit institutions) have become a serious power in society. And it’s not surprising because of its huge positive role in the current world.

3. Astonishing examples

The important role of the third sector can be illustrated with these astonishing examples.

In Russia:

• “Нужна Помощь” (Need Help in English) - aggregator of social NGOs, firstly started to professionally popularize the Russian third sector
• LizaAlert - searching of lost people (especially, children and elderly) in cities and forests
• Gulagu Net - investigations of cases of torture in Russian prisons
• Hospice network “Vera” - new kind of “humane” hospices in Russia
• Dynasty - support of fundamental science
  

In the US:

• Emergent Ventures - support of long-term projects which aimed for accelerating progress
• The Root of Progress - making new studies of progress
• New Science - science without bureaucracy
• The Thiel Fellowship - alternative way of making careers
• PH International - spreading global values (unfortunately, it was recognized as undesirable on the territory of Russia)
  

There are a lot of such examples and that’s only the start...

4. Why is it should be important for you

a) making environment around you (like fund “Vnimanie” which restores old buildings and infrastructure for you (like hospices)  better

b) making the environment for your descendants better (more civic, tolerant, safe world...)

c) thinking of building instead of doom (a lot of problems can be and actually should be solved)

d) support good people and maybe making friends with some of them

e) feeling of contributing to some good things

5. Main rules for philanthropy

a) first rule - regularity!

b) small checks are okey

c) self contributing like volunteering is even better

d) donate in only and only professional funds

e) do not be shy and talk about your donations your friends and other people

f) calculate your possibilities and make weighted decision about can you support this organization or not (it’s impossible to support all funds, so pick some very important ones for you)