![Andrew and Nicola Forrest recently made a philanthropic donation of $400 million.](/content/dam/images/g/w/a/c/w/a/image.related.afrArticleLead.620x350.gwfpck.png/1496101547647.jpg)
A new approach to philanthropy is emerging that focuses less on merely giving money and more on intangibles such as providing connections, time and expertise.
So says Kathy Wong, founder of social enterprise Moeloco. For every pair of Moeloco thongs it sells, it donates a pair of shoes to an Indian orphan or street child in fear of being trafficked or sold for their organs.
The way the business model works, Moeloco was able to start giving back from day one, which was important to Wong.
"I didn't want to wait until I made a profit before I could give. I wanted to give right from the beginning because most companies aren't profitable for a good few years," she says.
More than that, Wong has started supporting and mentoring children who want to start social enterprises, in the belief that teaching the next generation of leaders about the importance of giving back is critical.
"These children are future change makers. The kids are very much concerned about the world, and so they are building these businesses that are cause-driven," she says.
For instance, Juliette Jones, 14, is one of Moeloco's brand ambassadors. She was 11 when she started her lemonade business, which makes a bottled lemonade product. Juliette has already given $36,000 to motor neurone disease.
"She's also halfway through building a software platform to inspire children to find out their purpose and to build businesses that are going to make a difference," Wong says.
More than shoes
While Moeloco has donated 6000 pairs of shoes to children so far, Wong says her business has had a much greater impact than simply putting shoes on the children it supports.
"People have always thought philanthropy is just about giving money, but now they realise it's so much more. People reach out all the time to support me by giving me access to their connections and volunteering their time and skills. Donating time, skills and networks is the big growth area in philanthropy," she says.
According to Wong, women are also having much more influence with their philanthropic activities than in the past.
"Women now have more wealth, so many are having much more impact in the way they choose to give back. We've also seen the rise of social impact investments funds. These are all part of this trend where people are looking for purpose.
"We have a world that's been pretty disconnected and unhappy. We know governments are not going to save us and we all need to take responsibility," she says.
Australia is also seeing the rise of 'super givers', people such as non-executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group Andrew Forrest. Alongside his wife Nicola, he recently made Australia's largest philanthropic donation of $400 million. The funds will be allocated to various social and scientific causes.
Statistics show philanthropic individuals give almost as much as the entire business sector. According to Philanthropy Australia's Giving Australia 2016 report, in the 2015/2016 financial year, Australian businesses gave a total of $17.5 billion to charity. Total donations made by individuals were $12.5 billion.
Personal approach
Mike Dowling, CEO of cleaning group James Home Services, is among the new breed of philanthropist taking a personal approach to giving.
Rather than simply give a certain amount to a particular charity each year, he finds causes in which he has a genuine interest.
"I don't associate myself with any one large charity. I might be driving along and hear something about a person who needs a wheelchair. In one instance a 12-year-old girl was suffering from spina bifida. I tracked her down and paid for the wheelchair," Dowling explains.
He also gave her parents $5000 to look after their child while she was going through this difficult time.
In another example, Dowling was involved in a charity called Half the Sky. He donated $100,000 at one of its events, on the proviso others would contribute as well.
"We raised about $230,000 in six minutes. That's the power of giving the right way. I know all that money will go to children. All of it," he says.
That's important to Dowling, who does not want the money he donates to be spent on a charity's administration costs.
"People a lot wealthier than me will give $300,000 a year to a large charity. I don't do that. I'm more interested in seeing what difference I can make to an individual or group of people over the years."
He says he's donated between $350,000 and $500,000 over time.
While Dowling says he does not have a particular charity, group or individual on his radar at the moment, he's open to opportunities.
"I don't look for them, they find me. I see something that means something to me and if I can help then I will do it. There are things out there I just couldn't help, because I know how much money they really need. While I could give something [to these larger causes], I think it's often better to give to individuals," he says.