I’ve given a speech a couple times now called “Trends in Philanthropy” and one of the things I talk about is the blurring of the lines between an individual’s work life, personal life and philanthropic life. Instead of having philanthropy be a year-end check-writing exercise, folks are integrating their personal passions, their professional expertise, their consumer habits, their vacation time and even their household decisions, into a single identity that expresses a consistent set of values.
Are You Looking for an Integrated Life?
We’re no longer content to compartmentalize, supporting poverty-stricken children in Africa while buying diamonds from the bullies who create conditions of despair. Globalization, with all it’s complications, has made us aware of the impact of buying habits and lifestyle on people half the world away.
So it’s no wonder that more than ever, surveys are showing that people want to buy things from socially responsible companies, they want to work for socially responsible companies, they want to feel like their work is not disconnected from their passion and that they are making a difference in the world. “Doing well while doing good.”
If you’re looking for a job that is a boon to the world as well as yourself, here are a few resources worth checking out:
Acumen Fund Fellows
This one is for the college kids who started a dorm-recycling program and organized a fundraiser to raise awareness about the atrocities in Darfur. In other words, not for the casual observer.
Acumen is a well-respected microfinance organization that finds and funds sustainable businesses that provide products and services to the “bottom of the pyramid” consumers in the developing world. It treats the poorest of the poor as consumers, able to make choices about their priorities. They demonstrate that, if given access to capital and support, individuals who are–by any traditional measure–completely UN-creditworthy can run profitable businesses and that those people will in turn pour resources into their communities. (This is my description. Visit their website for a better description.)
In addition to investing in these social businesses, Acumen has taken on the admirable challenge of building a new generation of leaders for the sector by offering one-year fellowships. An Acumen fellowship is an opportunity to be immersed in the world of social entrepreneurship with a hands-on opportunity to combine business learning and social return.
“Each year, [Acumen] provides extraordinary young professionals with a unique opportunity to serve our investees organizations in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, India and Pakistan and also build leadership skills for the future. Fellows have been critical in supporting our investments and at the same time extracting insights from their work that are shared with the sector more broadly. “
If you want to seriously pump up your resume pre-business school or before launching your own social enterprise, click here to learn more about their fellowship program.
Just Means
Just Means (www.justmeans.com) is all about positive social change. They partner with businesses who want to engage in conversation with their stakeholders and promote their socially responsible practices. Business members pay to belong, including Seventh Generation (green cleaning products), Best Buy and Timberland. Just Means has also recruited a robust guest blogging community (I’m a guest blogger there myself, writing on topics of philanthropy and social enterprise every other Monday).
In addition to news and community, Just Means has a “Cool Jobs” section. Current openings posted there include Executive Director for the Oakland, CA-based People’s Grocery: “People’s Grocery is a community-based organization in West Oakland that develops creative solutions to the health problems in our community that stem from a lack of access to and knowledge about healthy, fresh foods. Our mission is to build a local food system that improves the health and economy of the West Oakland community.” Cool jobs, indeed
Zoosa.org
Thanks to Sean at Tactical Philanthropy for pointing out this new beta site. “Zoosa.org collects opportunities for individuals to use their professional skills toward a positive social impact” You can search for jobs or volunteer opportunities and, if you’re so inclined, find resources to help you get elected. Zoosa.org needs a lot of filling out but it’s a great concept and I hope it does well.
Idealist.org
The grandaddy of nonprofit job sites is definitely www.idealist.org. Still the largest, if more traditional. Includes internships, volunteer opportunities and organization profiles, as well as listings of graduate school fairs and current job openings. Definitely a great resource for those just starting out and looking for a job in the nonprofit sector.
Local Listing Sites
Do a Google search on the terms “Nonprofit resources” and the name of your region. You’re bound to find a resource center, library, university or some other portal that lists local nonprofit jobs. In the Chicago area, check out the Greater Chicago Nonprofit Gateway. Lots of metropolitan areas have these kinds of sites and you’re bound to find some local listings.
Other suggestions for resources to find a job with a socially responsible company are encouraged! Please leave a comment with your stories of how you found your great job that allows you to marry your values and your professional career. I’d love to use them in the next version of my speech.
More Socially Responsible Jobs:
I was remiss in not adding these two to my original list, especially as they are sites I visit frequently, and am adding them now (9.10.08).
Social Actions Job Board
Tactical Philanthropy Job Board
