Synopsis
Offers a plan for concerned citizenship that transcends traditional political activity in order to serve directly the needs of the community, especially poverty, hunger, and homelessness, through innovative nonprofit groups.
Reviews
Shore posits that welfare programs, private charities and nonprofit agencies fail to solve social problems because many compete for the same limited funds, operate inefficiently and/or use little creativity. He proposes alliances with businesses willing to dedicate part of their profits to solutions. As examples, he cites Working Assets and the enterprises of Paul Newman, Joseph Kennedy, Ben & Jerry's and his own Share Our Strength (SOS). These are driven by people of social vision who, while creating jobs and wealth, at the same time provide new funding sources for social programs. Sometimes a nonprofit, such as SOS?concerned primarily with hunger?enters into a partnership with an existing company, the one providing products or skills, the other devising marketing vehicles for them, and together creating new resources for social projects. A former aide to Senator Gary Hart, Shore offers timely analyses of the failures of nonprofits and government programs, and his examples of successful coalitions with business are inspiring. Yet critics will have many "yes?buts" in response to his argument, which, though silken and persuasive, seems long on idealism and short on wide application, depending as it does on a "revolution of the heart."
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
When observers such as Peter Drucker (Post Capitalist Society, 1993) or Jeremy Rifkin (The End of Work, 1995) envision a future in which the "third sector" plays a dominant role in solving society's problems, they are considering organizations such as Shore's Share Our Strength (SOS). After working in government for Senators Gary Hart and Robert Kerrey, Shore started SOS in 1984 to help fight hunger, illiteracy, and homelessness. Shore has aggressively formed partnerships with corporations and professionals. Two of SOS's most visible programs, Charge Against Hunger and Taste of the Nation, are sponsored by American Express. Since founding SOS, Shore has raised more than $26 million to help alleviate hunger. This book tells Shore's story of hope and encourages others to join his "revolution." David Rouse
Shore, CEO and founder of Share Our Strength (his nonprofit, hunger-fighting organization), has written an important work that could change the way America thinks about its future. His philosophy is that nonprofits need to think and act like businesses?creating wealth rather than redistributing it. He explains that the problems of the world cannot be solved by governments or economic markets. To make real changes, citizens must take responsibility for their communities. Shore suggests how this can be done. By outlining the progression of Share Our Strength from an idea to a highly successful, multimillion dollar "business," Shore demonstrates how money and other contributions can be raised to help the needy. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ., Pullman
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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