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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you by Social Impact Fellow Anissa Arakal, who’s got the heat cranked all the way up in her house to get through this northeast blizzard.
GameStop frenzy inspires budding financial literacy
What first hit the news as a Reddit-induced frenzy surrounding the GameStop (GME) stock has become a bipartisan rallying cry for the democratization of finance. The David vs. Goliath narrative of retail traders squeezing Wall Street billionaires, paired with the promise to “get-rich-quick,” has brought individual investing to the forefront of lifestyle media. And rightfully so, as the rise of amateur traders via Reddit speaks volumes to the importance of financial literacy and accessibility. Platforms like Robinhood and Franc say their mission is to provide accessible investing for everyone, yet they continue to report gender and racial disparity in their users. Further, the National Financial Educators Council found the average American adult lost $1,634 in 2020 due to a lack of money management knowledge. The investing knowledge gap is an untapped opportunity to engage many more individuals, holding the potential to create a future of shared prosperity for all.
Impact > ad buys for the 2021 Super Bowl
Those anticipating the iconic Super Bowl commercials in addition to (or instead of!) the big game on Sunday may notice some of their favorites missing this year. With a 30-second commercial slot costing an estimated $5.5 million, some top brands are instead using their advertising dollars to do good. The decision to skip this year's Super Bowl could also be motivated by a worry that the perky commercials may be poorly received by the U.S. audience in the face of record unemployment and a public health crisis. Most notably, Budweiser is skipping the game for the first time in 37 years to make a donation to a vaccine awareness campaign. Others are following in tow, conscientious to make “2021-sensitive” use of their dollars.
A plan for America’s food future
As we approach the first anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown with a new administration in place, we’re reflecting on this moment’s capacity for change across all sectors — including food. Tom Colicchio of Crafted Hospitality and Pierre Ferrari of McPherson client Heifer International have a call-to-action for the U.S. food system to support farmers, sustainable development, and an anti-hunger agenda. In 2020, as food bank lines and poverty rates among farmers reached record highs, we also saw unprecedented food waste. Colicchio and Ferrari call for more representation from small-scale processors in Washington to fan the flames of political will in the new administration and drive systemic change within the food system for a sustainable and effective future.
ON OUR RADAR
Learn:
- Read Biar Atem’s life story from the USA for UNHCR on his experience as a refugee from South Sudan in the U.S. resettlement program and his inspiring advocacy work in the refugee community. Then, sign this petition from the USA for UNHCR to support a robust increase in U.S. refugee resettlement.
- McP client Tim Mohin, CSO and EVP at Persefoni and an expert on all things ESG, says the annual letter from BlackRock's Larry Fink "will have an outsized impact." See Tim's top takeaways in Fast Company.
Read:
- “Second Gentleman” has officially been added to the dictionary! Read a great piece on why this moment matters.
- Centering Black women in the fight for equity will create a fairer system for everyone.
- The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (a McP client) shares key insights with The New York Times on how women, including MacKenzie Scott and Priscilla Chan, are changing the face of philanthropy.
- Learn about Lisa Jackson, former EPA administrator under Obama, about being a first in a non-diverse industry, the future of tech, and Apple’s 100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.
- The Marshall plan for moms calls on the Biden Administration to support mothers who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Here’s a response to consider, too. And this is a must-read from Ann Shoket on how COVID-19 has changed the game for working moms.
Do:
- Join Arabella Advisors for a webinar on the Future of the Social Sector to discuss how 2020 will shape the future of philanthropy in civil society. RSVP here!
- Join a live chat with Anna Malaika Tubbs on her new book, The Three Mothers: How The Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation to learn more about the book and what Black motherhood means to her. RSVP here!
Listen:
Apply:
- Springboard Enterprises, the leading network of influencers, investors, and innovators dedicated to building transformative women-led companies, is seeking a Director of Development.
- The Desai Foundation is looking for a Development & Grants Manager, Marketing Lead, SalesForce Genius, and Board Members in Media/Marketing, Legal, Corporate, Financial Services, CPG, and Govt/Public Policy worlds.
- DigitalUndivided is launching the “Do You” Fellowship program to award 10 promising Black & Latinx innovators with a $5,000 investment business and access to unparalleled resources and mentorship. Applications open in February: Click Here!
- The Op-Ed Project is launching year two of their Public Voices Fellowship on the Climate Crisis after an extraordinary impact in its pilot year. Apply by February 14.
- The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation is looking for a VP of Marketing at Lean In. Check out the job description here.
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