PoP was founded in October of 2008, with the simple ambition of finding a way to build just a single school. That was it. I was about to turn 25 years old, so I put $25 into a new PoP bank account and we were off. The goal was to throw two small fundraisers with my closest friends in NYC, and turn that multitude of small donations into a school for a community of tremendous need. So one year later, where do we stand?

-Our first school is completed in Pha Theung, Laos providing electricity, running water and preschool education for a village that previously lacked each of these for their school children

-We have nearly completed construction on our 2^nd and 3^rd schools in Phayong, Laos

-Our dedicated team has grown to over 100 volunteers across the country

-The NYC Summer Associate program hired students from Harvard, UPenn, Northwestern and NYU

-The PoP Fellowship has placed our first fellow in Nepal with partner organization Seto Guruns

-We have received more than 3,000 unique donations totaling approximately $125,000+

How did this happen? It has happened through dedicated young people seeking fulfillment, and finding it through their involvement in Pencils of Promise. I am one of those people, as is our entire team. This organization has always belonged to every single one of its contributors, and those that take active ownership have now accomplished much more than we ever expected possible in just one year. We profoundly believe in this mission, this approach, and our shared ability to empower education for others. I am so proud of what we’ve done together in this first year, but I’m even more excited about the prospect of what is to come.

-AB

Nicknamed the ‘Go Giver’, this ambitious group has a stronger commitment to philanthropy than older generations and feels more responsibility to support charities and causes. More than their older counterparts, they believe that giving will become more incumbent on the wealthy because governments are overburdened with debt. They are also increasingly interested in supporting global causes – 59 per cent of 18-34 year olds stated more interest in global charitable causes, compared to 24 per cent of 35-44 year olds and a fifth of 44-45 year olds.

“Philanthropy is being used as a tool in family dynamics, it’s a way in which one can connect to one’s children over something that isn’t about who’s going to get the spoils. It’s something where you can try and inculcate your values into the younger generation.”  Said Doug Balfour, CEO of philanthropic advisers Geneva Global.

Whether it’s due to family education, social networks, or as Melissa Richer of Ayllu has suggested, simply survival, this young, ambitious and global minded generation – which we proudly consider ourselves part of – will certainly change the philanthropy landscape, and consequentially the world. Building 30+ schools across the world and giving 3,000 children education all before we turn 30?  Join us and make it happen.

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Time’s up, what did you come up with? Inspiring? Charitable?  Helpful? Nice?

How about sassy, business-savvy, and sexy?

That’s the image that charity : water has achieved, thanks to its founder Scott Harrison’s vision. If charity : water were to become a real life character – and it already has plenty of it – it would be sharp, posh, and undeniably sexy. Partnering with Hollywood celebrities and high-end fashion retailers, charity : water has raised over $7 million and funded 1,247 water projects, bringing safe drinking water to over 650,000 people. It has also built a brand for itself. Not just water, but clean, safe and sexy water.

In his recent blog “Clean, Sexy Water”, Nicolas Kristof wrote about this organization that is revolutionizing how nonprofits operate and market. A look at their press kit shows an organization that is focused, committed, sophisticated  and trustworthy. Today, it’s no longer enough for a nonprofit to say that it makes the world a better place. To be successful, it also needs business smarts and marketing savvy.

What’s in a name? As it turns out, a lot. Brand equity, or the value of the name of an organization, is something traditionally associated with Coca Cola, Apple, Dove and Armani. However, we are seeing more and more nonprofits realizing the importance off a strong brand name, and working harder than ever to build it. Global problems call for global solutions, and that calls for a brand name.

How do you build the brand, its personality and its image? Does having a brand name make the organization seem too commercial? Leave your thoughts!