Fast Forward Core Beliefs

Just re-read my previous post from a year ago reaffirming Fast Forward Fund's core beliefs as we move to complete our 1st phase of start-up and our 3-yr-commitment to Clinton Global Initiative University. Except for the notable absence of snow, virtually everything rings true today.
I stand by Fast Forward's core beliefs:
* Investment activism. We all make a difference with our daily financial choices. Investing is action.
* Leveraged impact. Investing in a collective social fund allows young people to leverage relatively small individual resources into large-scale impact.
* Accelerated change. More inclusive, expansive philanthropic models enable youth to accelerate, or fast forward, their participation as social investors advancing innovative solutions to global challenges.
* Lifelong Giving. Cultivating philanthropic social investment among young adults creates lifelong givers and engaged global citizens.

Generous Prompts

What prompts you to live and give generously? To explore what I call "abundant living, mindful giving," check out this blog post by Britt Bravo, one of my fave fun-loving do-gooders, Big Vision guru and Juicy Blogger: "12 Prompts for Generous Living & Blogging". Pick and choose from these prompts, come up with your own, or try 'em out over the next 2 weeks leading up to Valentine's Day!

Quiet enough to hear the genuine...

Trying to be still and "learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman

CGI & Social Good

Inspiration of the morning: beaming face of 17 yr old Juliette from Rwanda asking "how can girls help each other?" to advance Girls Not Brides Campaign announced by Elders Bishop Desmond Tutu, former President Mary Robinson,and philanthropists Luis Ubinas, Pres. Ford Foundation & Jennifer Buffet, Pres. & Co-Chair Novo Foundation. Ending child marriage will help us fast forward progress to meet 6 our of 8 Millennium Development Goals!. Check it out now: www.girlsnotbrides.org !

Global Impact Week NYC!!!

It's a big, fast & forward (hopefully) week for Global Impact in NYC: between the Clinton Global Initiative, Social Good Summit, UN General Assembly, my 9-yr-old son's 5th grade back-to-school night, I'm swamped! And my head is swirling with questions, concerns, ideas about all the potential for social change as the world's great thinkers & doers converge on NYC this week. Intending to blog from both CGI & SGS, my first question is really what are the right questions to ask. I'm hopeful that I'll be present, alert, inquisitive, and open enough to engage in fierce conversations and seize (or create) opportunity. If you are not attending these gatherings, nor even in NYC for that matter, send me your questions! If you'll be there, ask me in person! Good luck and much gratitude for all those struggling and working so hard for social impact, always and especially this week! And good luck in 5th grade, James! Along with all the sons and daughters of your generation, you are the reason we are committed to global impact in nyc and around the world.

Why Fast Forward Happy (Birthday) Hour?

How will you celebrate end of summer? http://socialimpactbirthday.eventbrite.com/
I'm heading to my end of summer, end of August birthday, grateful for opportunity to do great work, make a difference, continually learn & grow from inspiring teachers: my children, the seasons, my backyard garden, courageous & bold colleagues, wise & kind strangers, my own mistakes, my most audacious dreams. Who/what are your best teachers?

FFF Midsummer Night's Mixer Musings

NYC Changemakers: Join us @FFF's NYC Social Impact Cocktail Crawl, co-sponsored by FAIR, the 1st fair trade spirits company:...
Under the full moon in the middle of summer, can't help but notice how much we want to get outside, get together, and get going with social innovator friends in NYC. Seems like "mixers" are sprouting up all over the place. Go figure. What a great way to spend a summer evening! Mixers let us connect with our tribe, deepen relationships, advance projects, flex our social change muscles, get inspired to invest in each other and commit to our vision for progressive social change.

If you're in NYC 7/19, come to a DON"T MISS gathering of NYC's spectacular social changemakers! Connect with peers, mentors, investors, and co-conspirators to enhance your impact and have a joyous evening. Half price cocktails, full value spirits.
7:00 pm Green Square Tavern
8:00 pm Rye Bar

If you're in Boston, check out our friends from Criterion Ventures & City Light Capital as they co-host New Mix Drinks at Rattlesnake Bar & Grill!

If you're in Brooklyn, check out Shoe Town to Brew Town event at Brooklyn Brewery

Mix it up to fast forward social impact this summer!