Global Direct Investment Solutions

Corporate Development for a Networked World

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Philanthropy

Bruce Donnelly   bruce@gdi-solutions.com    (Biography)

Her inspirational lecture was also broadcast through the Worldview program of Chicago Public Radio, where an audio clip is available, which is well worth hearing to capture the passion of her many years of commitment to this cause.  It is an exceptional lecture on development and the linkages between environmental issues and democratic governance and peace.  A full transcript is on the Nobel website.

http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/audio_library/wv_radec04.asp  

The above audio clip requires RealPlayer 8 or higher

http://www.nobel.no/eng_lect_2004b.html   Transcript

GDI Solutions is a for-profit business, but with a strong commitment to the social purpose of promoting sustainable economic development around the world, consistent with local culture and social values, through more efficient and successful direct investment activity by the private sector to mutual benefit.

Corporations invest billions of dollars around the world each year to achieve a financial return for their stakeholders.  In the process, they can also be a great force for good, even while pursuing their self-interests.

Many companies and successful executives also have very proactive charitable activities, including "venture philanthropy" work to contribute specialized expertise rather than money to help solve social problems.  They are often very active in improving the communities where they operate, contributing far more than just taxes and jobs to these areas.

This section shares a few ideas of organizations which we support for this purpose.  As this business succeeds, we expect to increase our charitable activities.  As with other aspects of this website, we want to share knowledge about opportunities to support this social purpose. 

We therefore welcome your suggestions to share here as well.

Our focus is not to compile a list of all the worthy organizations which exist around the world, nor to pass judgment on the quality, impact, or efficiency of their social work. 

This is a selective list, with a focus on issues related to economic development anywhere in the world, including the USA.    We want to help philanthropic individuals or organizations to identify some "hidden gems" which deserve strong support, but don't always find it easily.  Even a small contribution can sometimes make a great difference, and many small contributions add up.

That also includes related considerations, such as diplomacy, including work on conflict avoidance and peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as other aspects of promoting longer-term cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, rather than just reacting to the obvious crises of the moment.  It is easy to react to crises, but more challenging to avert them through social initiatives with an enduring but perhaps subtle impact which may, if successful, simply be taken for granted as progress.

Private elementary school with many international students and a social purpose from 90 years of service to disadvantaged urban children of the Chicago area by providing the same values-based education as the more affluent in the suburbs enjoy.  There are many needs for donations to improve and grow the school.

see Photo

They quietly do the right thing to help many children.  It isn't just another little private school in the suburbs for the privileged.  Ask us if you want to know more about the school.

If you have found this website or our services to be helpful, please consider making a donation to this school.  We can provide details about how to do so.

Of course, we welcome contributions to our work, too!

Supports community-based programs in education, women's empowerment, public health and conservation in remote mountain regions of Central Asia.

This is basically a personal mission, led by mountaineer Greg Mortenson, and supported by a small group of individuals who believe in the value of this approach, including some venture capitalists, members of Congress, and others who are familiar with their work.  They support many schools despite very limited financial resources.

It is an example of how a handful of people with limited resources can use their determination and knowledge to make a big difference in the lives of many people who are not reached by traditional foreign aid programs or the large charitable non-governmental organizations, but rather by individuals working together as friends who share a practical vision of what they can achieve today by their actions.

The article about the Central Asia Institute may not last long in the archives on the Christian Science Monitor website, but here's the link to the copy on the Institute's own website, where there are other copies of press reports, such as from National Public Radio and other local and national articles over recent years, before most people paid any attention to what was happening in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere in the Central Asia region.

Note the "Fund for American Diplomacy" and the AFSA Scholarship Fund, both of which are sustained almost entirely through contributions by AFSA members, but could probably benefit greatly from outside contributions or endowments.

Unlike the more famous private "think tanks" or foundations, they have few resources, but contribute quietly to the debate about how to improve the effectiveness of the Foreign Service, including the FCS at Commerce and our foreign aid programs..

Contrary to popular myth, career diplomats (as contrasted to the political appointees) are rarely affluent, nor are they even well-paid for what they do.  AFSA's work is supported by both the active members within the Foreign Service community (not just the State Dept - also US AID, Commerce, etc.) as well as retirees, but since few of them have much money, neither does AFSA.

AFSA could probably do a lot of good things for US foreign relations, and the public dialogue here about foreign policy, with better outside support.  They aren't likely to go out and ask for corporate or foundation contributions, but they could put them to good use.  There are also some other groups related to this specialty.

Is it a coincidence the President Bush announced a further $10 billion to fight AIDS in Africa, and other initiatives, a few days later?  In any case, other companies and other countries can perhaps rise to the challenge, and prove that money, knowledge, and caring individuals can solve these problems.

Their role will often involve business retention and expansion services for existing companies in the area, as well as investment promotion work to attract new companies to the area.  The scope of services varies widely.

Please note that while there are fairly well-developed organizations for doing this sort of work in the US, Canada, and Europe, they are often very weak or non-existent in some of the developing countries.  If you have a significant presence in such markets, you can help to create stronger organizations to support the development of that local community, region, or country, which should be to your benefit as well.

Sometimes they work together well as a team.  In some areas, however, there are rivalries between different groups, or overlaps in responsibilities.  This tends to be very counterproductive, and can often cause potential investors to look elsewhere.  If the efforts are fragmented in your area, please do what you can to encourage better cooperation, and choose carefully which organization you support.  Fragmented efforts are often the result of leaders with good intentions who create new organizations, rather than develop better performance and collaboration among existing ones.

For example, you may have a better understanding of what really differentiates the area as a business investment location, and have ideas about what they can do to better attract an retain companies and develop a stronger community environment in which to do business. 

Don't just call them when you need help with a project, or when you are seeking incentives.  Help them get the financial resources, knowledge, and active support they need to do a better job for the community in which you operate.

Disclosure : if they have more financial resources, perhaps they will even choose to use some of them to participate more actively in our services!

Please encourage them to do so if you have found our services to be helpful.

Companies can support the school through recruitment activities as well as internships in the US and overseas operations, rather than just through financial contributions to the funding of the school.

They also need good guest speakers such as top executives with timely insights to share about the actual challenges of international business.

For example, I had an internship at Touche Ross in Brazil during my MBA.  Other internships were at many leading companies around the world - both US subsidiaries and foreign companies.

Excellent language training is provided.

The foreign students in the program do internships at companies in the US. 

This can be a very useful program for the company as well as the student.

Seeking investment in small-scale, private development initiatives such as entrepreneurial ventures rather than traditional aid programs and infrastructure projects

Some people may not realize, despite the well-publicized involvement of former President Carter, that these projects are not just overseas, but also in urban US communities where pride in home ownership is a potential path to improve lives and neighborhoods in cooperation with the intended beneficiaries, rather than just as a handout program for the poor.

More events could add this type of activity (whether with Habitat for Humanity or some other group) as a social option in addition to the usual hospitality event or recreational functions.  Work with local leaders to make an unexpected difference in the community, like the concept of the impact of "random acts of kindness" by many people.  While many people are gathered together, give them a chance to do good, and to learn about the good work of others who they may support.