Lots of excitement this week around the news that Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have commitments from nearly 50 Billionaires to give at least half of their net worth to a charity of their choosing. Bill and Melinda Gates have truly distinguished themselves as a “Superpower” of global philanthropy. The Gates Foundation attracted the support of famous investor Warren Buffet and he committed billions to the Gates Foundation. This is a milestone in the evolution of “social enterprise”. the old model of “not-for-profit” is evolving into a more sophisticated and successful model we at PMHF call “Social Enterprise”. Social Enterprise is basically running a cause more “like a business but with a social outcome”. This social enterprise sector is larger than the oil and gas sector in Canada! Social Enterprise is the answer to what government can’t fix and business won’t fix! But you don’t need to be a billionaire to be involved in social enterprise. Someone with a cause and a commitment and time to volunteer or $50 to donate can become a “social entrepreneur” and make a contribution to a “social enterprise”.

So congrats to Bill and Warren and the billionaires club for stepping forward in this new era of social philanthropy. It is encouraging that some of the world’s wealthiest and most successful people see their responsibility and opportunity to truly “make a difference”. Way to go Bill and Warren and Melinda and billionaires who have signed up to make a difference! Remember, you don’t need to be a billionaire to “make a difference”!

As I do my training walks for the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers this weekend I will be smiling thinking of all that dough going to worthy causes!