A Matter of Hope

About this book

National Bestseller USA Today Bestseller Publishers Weekly Bestseller There is one human characteristic that separates those who see a world full of problems from those who see a world full of potential: hope. Hope is not in short supply; it is everywhere. Venture-philanthropy leader Jim Bildner shows what it takes to move beyond despair and into action. Drawing on more than a decade as CEO of one of the largest global venture-philanthropy foundations and on the hard-won clarity that comes from profound personal loss, Jim Bildner provides real-life examples of what it takes to turn hope into action, sharing powerful stories of hope transforming lives and the ripple effect it has on whole communities. Grounded in real cases from hundreds of social enterprises impacting over 600 million lives, Bildner weaves the mindset of optimism with intimate stories of individuals finding strength through vulnerability and lessons from social entrepreneurs changing the world. A Matter of Hope provides the reader with a practical blueprint on how to solve problems that exist in the world by: Understanding the nature of the problem you are trying to solve Analyzing the ecosystem and existing infrastructure that surrounds the problem Being clear about what you hope to accomplish Developing a specific execution strategy: namely, having the right people, in the right places, at the right time Knowing who needs to ultimately adopt your solution to embed or institutionalize it, and have a plan--and partners--to do that This book is perfect for social entrepreneurs, funders, impact investors, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders and their boards, business leaders driving change, incubators and impact accelerators, faculty, and anyone who wants to make a difference in the world, in their community, and in their lives. Hope gives you the power to change someone else's life and, with that very act, to change your own. Hope is there for the taking. You just have to be open enough to see it.