The gamification of philanthropy is a controversial topic. Some view it as an access point to a younger generation of constituents. As NPQ discussed this week, some argue that the rewards presented in charity-based games could actually decrease the positive effects of philanthropy.
The article asks a lot of questions that point towards the potential negative impact that gamification can have on individuals. You can also reframe the questions to focus on the potential positive impact of gamification in philanthropy. Does the focus of a game help educate the individual about the mission involved? Does it make philanthropy more accessible for individuals who may struggle to connect to the cause in another setting?
Every individual’s path to philanthropy is different. The reward that motivates individuals can vary from personal pride, to public gratitude, to a badge in a mobile app. We suspect that as more research in this area becomes available we’ll see that the answer isn’t as simple as we may think. Using games to encourage charitable actions can have a wide variety of effects on each individual. For some individuals, it will represent an entry point into philanthropy.
Below are a few other interesting links from the week. As always, follow our Tumblr for updates throughout the week.
- Seniors are now adopting social media the fastest out of any age group, as reported by Mashable.
- Social Media Today shares four reminders on tips for successful email marketing campaigns.
- The Minnesota Council on Foundations provides a great review of some best practices in creating and maintain a blog for a Foundation.
- Many nonprofit organizations lack control over their office space set-up. If you’re considering making a chance there are a lot of factors to think about. Jennifer Merritt discusses trends and recent news regarding office setup.
- We’re excited to the see the Off/Page project, a partnership between Youth Speaks, and the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) getting great press. We encourage you to check Mashable’s article about the collaboration.
- And to end on a lighter note, here are some of the best entries from a new Tumblr dedicated to the daily battles of the nonprofit employee.
Justin (he, him) is a Principal and Co-Founder of Social Change Consulting. He has over fifteen years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in online fundraising, digital communications, and data management. Justin helps organizations connect their communication strategy to their income development needs. When he’s not on the clock, Justin is exploring Berlin, running, listening to too many podcasts, and drinking too much coffee.