Running for a Cause

Platforms and Philanthropy

Congratulations to all the finishers at NMDC Hyderabad Marathon. My community running group Peerancheruvu Runners was part of Hyderabad’s Running Festival and many of us ran at an event after three years.

Run. Spread the Spirit.

At the outset, one personal message from a friend sent me back to one of my all-time favorite books- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. It has had a lasting impression on me. This book has taught me to be thankful every day for things that we might take for granted. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “Giving Makes Me Feel Like I’m Living.” 
Hence, the newsletter on GIVING!

DTW

During the Week, CNN reported that the nonprofit, Marble Freedom Trust received $1.6 billion from one donor -- the largest single contribution to a politically focused nonprofit that's ever been made public, and a fortune that could alter the political discourse in the United States.

Andy Kroll @AndyKroll

18/ Marble Freedom Trust's $1.6B gift also raises big questions about dark $$$. Should the tax code allow megadonors—liberal, conservative, whatever—to dodge hundreds of millions in taxes by giving to dark-money groups? Should there be more disclosure? @SenWhitehouse thinks so

Managing donors and donations is a challenging task for an organization seeking to use charity/philanthropy routes to augment its funding. We could definitely leverage technology and specifically technology-enabled platforms to mitigate some of the negative impacts of human and/or natural tragedies and provide funding access to millions. They have the potential to leverage network effects on either the same side or even cross side. Platforms can provide value through three types of interfaces- First, Fund Raising Providers with Users; Second, amongst Fund Raising Providers and Third, amongst Users themselves.

Like in PBEL City, Trice stepped up during the #LockDown at two levels- One, starting new stores including groceries deliveries and collective activities like Online Tambola for its community members. They also went beyond the Business-As-Usual and started a community driven outreach initiative called #kindnessbasket where members while ordering groceries for themselves could also order a pre-packed basket for sharing with their household helps. They ended up delivering #KindnessBaskets worth more than 2,00,000 INR in less than a week.

#KindnessBasket serves two purposes over larger organised charity initiatives. First- there is a direct and immediate benefit to the targeted beneficiary and second It reduces distribution costs and leakages.

Resource Mobilisation for Social Causes through multiple Crowd Funding platforms has opened up opportunities for small donors to participate in global efforts. Multiple fundraising campaigns have been started during disasters leading to substantial efforts even before the state government and other authorities could wake up. Not only celebrities or international/national NGOs but also smaller but dedicated groups of committed volunteers have been able to leverage their local networks and alumni networks to raise funds for people and communities in distress.

Let me quote Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet-

Then said a rich man, Speak to us of Giving.
     And he answered:
     You give but little when you give of your possessions.
     It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

OTW

Over the Weekend, I was part of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon powered by IDFC Bank, where I successfully paced the 5-hour Full Marathon bus to the finish line. On a personal note, pacing for me is giving back to the running community and helping fellow runners achieve their running goals. It is an utterly satisfying experience.

It was another Full Marathon for my wife Archana and nothing gives greater joy than finishing a long run in your home ground with family and friends around. I am incredibly proud to be part of Hyderabad Runners, who have successfully managed to organize this event for 11 years purely on volunteering efforts.

I have had long conversations with my fellow runners on distance running. Let me reiterate two key learnings from my rather short and slowly evolved running journey- Muscle Memory and Entourage Effect.

As we practice a certain activity over a period of time like cycling or swimming, we develop an intricate neuromuscular system of learning. In fact, these networks once formed are so strong that it would be almost impossible to do the same activities if different neural or muscular paths are expected to fire. Watch this experiment asking people to ride a cycle with a small modification.

Muscle memory refers to the ability of the body- mind, and muscle- to reactivate those neural and muscle networks even after a substantial break. Of course, it would not be at peak performance but you would be able to survive. Good folks at OpenFace Media led by Pavan Atukuri have created a whole web series hosted by Chaitanya titled Runner’s High. I was fortunate enough to feature in one of the episodes where I discussed my running journey and philosophy including my eternal faith in muscle memory.

The Entourage Effect (commonly seen in CBD usage) is definitely in play during a major running event. Runners would generally practice lesser distances with lesser intensity but I think their own effort coupled with race day atmosphere in the presence of other runners create an Entourage Effect leading to much superior performance.

Hyderabad Marathon is an effective platform for brands to engage with an exceptional audience cohort. It also allows various nonprofits like Goonj and others to connect with donors and volunteers. I am also using this opportunity to show support for the cause of the Digital Transformation of Street Vendors through our work on Digital Street.

_shailendra_bisht_

A post shared by Shailendra (@_shailendra_bisht_)

In a usual long-distance running narrative, adverse weather conditions turned out to be a test of character and I am pretty sure many of my fellow runners would emerge stronger out of the whole experience. Let me quote my favourite Stoic philosopher Seneca on dealing with adversity.

I judge you as unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent— no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.

Stay Safe. Hope to see you soon again at another event or just like that. Stay in touch.

I Love You

Shailendra

PS- If you liked what you just read, please subscribe for a weekly email discussing Running Platform Marketing Life. 

Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

OTM

Opportunities through MountainSpeak are available at the Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CeDT) that has been established at IBS Hyderabad. Some of you have reached out for collaborations. If you have not yet, please drop a message if you would like to be associated with future events and projects.

Please follow CeDT Social Media Handles to receive regular updates about this and future activities of the Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation.  
https://www.facebook.com/cedthyd
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cedthyd
https://twitter.com/cedthyd