Success in the Nonprofit Sector

Stories of Meaningful Contributions

February 18, 2024Last Updated: February 18, 2024

14 4 minutes read

Success in the Nonprofit Sector: Stories of Meaningful Contributions

The nonprofit sector is a diverse and dynamic field that encompasses various causes, missions, and values. It is also a field that requires passion, dedication, and innovation to address the complex and urgent challenges facing the world. In this blog, I want to share some stories of success in the nonprofit sector, where individuals and organizations have made meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

A Woman Who Founded a Global Movement for Girls’ Education

One of the stories that amazed me was about a woman named Ann Cotton, who founded a global movement for girls’ education called CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education). She started this initiative in 1993, when she was a student at the University of Cambridge. She was doing research on the low enrollment of girls in rural schools in Zimbabwe, and she discovered that the main barrier was poverty. She decided to use her own money to sponsor the education of 32 girls in one district. She also involved the local community in the selection and support of the girls. She named her project “CAMFED” and registered it as a charity¹.

Cotton’s project soon expanded to other districts, countries, and regions. She developed a holistic and sustainable model of girls’ education, which included financial assistance, academic support, life skills training, health education, and leadership development. She also created a network of alumnae, called CAMA, who became mentors, role models, and change agents for the next generation of girls. She partnered with governments, donors, NGOs, and corporations to scale up her impact and influence policies and practices.

Cotton’s movement has transformed the lives of millions of girls and their communities in Africa and beyond. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the WISE Prize for Education, the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and the Order of the British Empire. She says that her vision is to create a world where every girl has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and lead².

A Man Who Created a Platform for Social Change

Another story that inspired me was about a man named Ben Rattray, who created a platform for social change called Change.org. He started this initiative in 2007, when he was working as a consultant in San Francisco. He was moved by the story of his brother, who came out as gay and faced discrimination and harassment. He wanted to use the power of the internet to mobilize people around the issues that mattered to them. He launched Change.org, a website that allowed anyone to start, join, or support online petitions for various causes³.

Rattray’s platform soon became a global phenomenon, attracting millions of users and thousands of campaigns. He leveraged the latest technologies, such as social media, mobile devices, and data analytics, to amplify the voices and actions of ordinary citizens. He also built a team of experts, advocates, and partners, who provided guidance, resources, and connections to the petitioners and their supporters. He collaborated with decision-makers, media outlets, and influencers, who responded to the public pressure and made positive changes.

Rattray’s platform has enabled countless victories and impacts in the nonprofit sector and beyond. Some of the examples include: securing justice for rape survivors in India, banning shark finning in Taiwan, saving a historic theater in Australia, and passing legislation for gun control in the US. He has received recognition and support from various organizations and individuals, including Time Magazine, the World Economic Forum, and Bill Gates. He says that his mission is to empower people everywhere to create the change they want to see⁴.

A Woman Who Built a Community of Changemakers

The last story that I want to share was about a woman named Ashoka, who built a community of changemakers called Ashoka. She started this initiative in 1980, when she was a lawyer and activist in India. She was inspired by the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who led a nonviolent movement for India’s independence. She wanted to identify and support other social innovators who had similar visions and values. She founded Ashoka, a nonprofit organization that searched for and invested in leading social entrepreneurs around the world. She named her organization after an ancient Indian emperor, who renounced violence and promoted peace and justice.

Ashoka’s community soon grew to include thousands of members, who tackled various social and environmental problems in their regions and sectors. She provided them with financial and professional support, as well as access to a global network of peers, mentors, and allies. She also fostered a culture of collaboration, learning, and leadership among them. She expanded her scope and reach to other stakeholders, such as young people, educators, businesses, and governments, who shared her vision of a more empathetic and equitable society.

Ashoka’s community has sparked countless innovations and transformations in the nonprofit sector and beyond. Some of the examples include: creating a microfinance model for rural women in Bangladesh, developing a low-cost eye care system in India, establishing a fair trade movement in Latin America, and promoting a culture of giving in Africa. She has received accolades and support from various organizations and individuals, including the MacArthur Foundation, the Schwab Foundation, and the Dalai Lama. She says that her goal is to create a world where everyone is a changemaker.

These are just some of the stories of success in the nonprofit sector that I found amazing and motivating. They show that the nonprofit sector can make a difference in the world and create positive change. They also show that individuals and organizations can be successful and meaningful in their own ways. I hope that these stories will inspire you to appreciate the value of the nonprofit sector and to support the work of the nonprofit sector. 🙌