Audacious philanthropy: lessons from 15 world-changing initiatives

The authors examined 15 breakthrough philanthropic initiatives and found five shared elements that provide a framework for success. First, build a common understanding of the issue and its circumstances. Second, establish achievable milestones and create a compelling message. Third, develop approaches that will function on a wide scale. Fourth, do not assume level of demand - instead, foster it. Fifth, recognize the potential need for course corrections. The 15 initiatives used to illustrate these elements include car seats, hospice care, the national school lunch program, the anti-apartheid movement, polio eradication, CPR training, tobacco control, marriage equality, the fair-food program, and 911 emergency services.