e-Community March 2009

Dear Friends,

I need your help. I work in an industry that defines itself by the one thing we don't do - make a profit. Considering the word "profit" comes from Latin meaning "to make progress", the unfortunately named Nonprofit Sector is in serious need of a branding campaign.

Nonprofit is a tax status, not a description of our work. A nonprofit organization measures its success by the social benefit it generates - a profit that is shared by a community rather than a few business owners. Take a few seconds to take part in our poll. Help us re-brand the Nonprofit Sector by voting on a better name for our social profit businesses. Vote Now!

Thinking about nonprofit organizations in terms of the social profit they produce may help you decide how to invest your community giving dollars. I often ask myself, "If I invest in this organization, what is the social profit they will generate?" If the outcomes meet my expectations and fit with my priorities, I invest a portion of my social capital in their work.

When you invest in Community Shares, each dollar we spend on the Community Giving Campaign generates $10 in donations to other nonprofit organizations. So, the social profit of investing $100 in Community Shares is $1,000 in additional community investment. That sounds like progress to me.

Thanks and regards,


Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares