Meaning
Philanthrotopia is based on the meaning of the root words philos (friendly love), anthropos (humanity) and utopia (good place).
Mission
The mission of Philanthrotopia is to advance philanthropic knowledge (theory and practice), through a grassroots, naturalist approach to community-based investments in people and place.
Model
We are a venture philanthropy partnership - a giving circle - focused on innovative community-based investments through smart, grassroots philanthropy. Our members pool our investments for a collaborative, collective, and creative giving experience.
Method
We use the elements of the scientific method to inform our grant-making process and to advance the philanthropic knowledge of our giving circle members.
These elements include:
- Definition
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Experimentation
- Analysis
- Interpretation
- Conclusion
- Redefinition
Message
“Think global, give local” is part of our approach to community-based change. Based on our founding vision, people + planet @ peace reflects the Lakota message, mitakuye oyas'in - all are related. Accordingly, the giving circle is based on the following beliefs and values:
- Biodiversity and cultural diversity are our greatest strengths.
- Social and natural conditions are fundamentally related.
- Knowledge is our greatest philanthropic resource.
- Change begins in communities, through special people in special places.