A Global Giving Circle That Meets “On the Road”

Launched in 2012, (Ad)venture Philanthropy is a giving tool designed to educate and inspire emerging philanthropists and changemakers. We realize this mission together through shared learning journeys that explore innovative solutions to global and local challenges. Our approach is rooted in the belief that experiential learning and cultural exchange are the first steps toward mobilizing one’s passion and resources to make positive social change. What are we not?

• We are not poverty voyeurs.
• We are not traveling for the sake of travel. 
• We are not implementing a pre-determined strategy.
• We are not committed to the status quo. 

At its core, (Ad)venture Philanthropy is about action. Tides supports donor-investors in expanding their giving by exploring the particular challenges and opportunities that local activists, organizations, and social entrepreneurs face in creating change in their communities. We do this through an intensive program that includes curated pre-reading; a mix of urban and rural field visits with social and environmental changemakers; meetings with nonprofit, government, and private sector leaders; hosted dinner events with local changemakers; and more. 

Investing in Lasting Relationships

The hallmark of (Ad)venture Philanthropy is action. At the conclusion of each learning journey, the group will participate in a strategy session around developing a social impact investment fund targeting some of the groups encountered on the trip. Thus the journey continues at home as we work together through the (Ad)venture Philanthropy Collaborative, or APC, to move grants and investments inspired by those we meet in India.

Membership for learning journey participants in the APC is a central feature of the program. APC members will also have access to an alumni network of trip participants to exchange ideas and learnings, as well as monitor grants and investments made across geographic and thematic focal points. As the APC membership grows and evolves, members will have access to information, webinars, and in-person events that build community and forge a strong network of engaged philanthropists.

By forging lasting relationships among philanthropists – and with the NGOs and entrepreneurs they support --we can make better investments and catalyze breakthrough change on key social and environmental issues. And with a nod to the venture capital philosophy of supporting organizational development, APC members will also explore volunteer and pro bono service options to build the capacity of focus organizations.  

September 2012: India

The next (Ad)venture Philanthropy trip will journey to India from September 3-10, 2012. Designed to accommodate the complex schedules of trip participants, the 7-day learning journey will start and conclude in Mumbai with a 2-day trip to Bangalore – a hub of social innovation in India. Unlike other learning journeys or donor tours, we will work with participants of the India trip to shape the itinerary based on the interests of the group. The trip will be led by Chad Bolick, global nomad and Tides’ Director of Impact and Innovation, and Sonal Shah, serial social entrepreneur and former White House Director of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Based on feedback from participants, Chad and Sonal will identify and vet nonprofits and social enterprises to visit in Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as make local connections for meetings with senior representatives from the government, private sector, and nonprofit community— including local activists.

Who should participate?
(Ad)venture Philanthropy is designed to create firsthand experiences for generous and compassionate donor-investors motivated to create change in the world. Participants will have an interest in philanthropy, charitable giving, and learning about the social challenges facing various global and domestic regions.  

How much does it cost?
For the September 2012 learning journey to India, the cost is between USD$8,000-$10,000 (see our FAQ page for more details). 

For additional information on (Ad)venture Philanthropy, please visit our FAQ page or Sign up to Receive Updates. For specific questions, please contact Nicholas Almeida at nalmeida@tides.org.