VENTURE

"Venture Philanthropy" is a style of charitable giving in which donors invest major funds, and often their own time, talents, and expertise, in projects that are issue-oriented rather than institution-oriented, strategically significant, entrepreneurial, innovative, and will “make a difference,” measured in quantifiable results. “New and emerging donors,” empowered by the “new economy” – often relatively young, very successful, entrepreneurs interested in life-changing and world-changing opportunities in philanthropy – are drawn to it.

Since 2000, the Catalogue has pioneered the first statewide system for venture philanthropy. Annually communicating with most charities and most potential venture donor-investors in the Commonwealth, we have invited charities to “think big”– to imagine their greatest potential, and to design venture philanthropy projects implementing those visions; 33 such projects, including four new ones this year, are on our website, chosen from over 200 applications.

With the decline of the stock market and the economy, and disruptions and uncertainties attending 9/11 and the war in Iraq, venture philanthropy and major giving have dramatically slowed nationwide. We continue undeterred because there is donor-educational value in showcasing some of the most exciting and worthwhile new ideas in Massachusetts philanthropy today.