Nonprofit Leader Invited to White House to Talk About Innovation in Philanthropy

EVANSTON, Ill., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In just a few weeks, Megan Kashner, Founder and CEO of Benevolent.net, will head to Washington DC to present at a day-long forum on innovation in philanthropy at the White House. Her TED-style talk will focus on the ways in which Benevolent harnesses technology to drive innovation in philanthropy. Kashner was chosen as one of 8 panelists to participate in the "White House Forum for Philanthropic Innovation" and will speak to a White House audience of 150. Invited guests will include private, community-based, academic, and advocacy-based organizations that support the field of philanthropy.

"This is an incredible opportunity to not only highlight Benevolent's work but also the work of partnering nonprofits in front of national leaders and White House Senior Administration officials," said Kashner.   "I am honored that Benevolent was selected among hundreds of philanthropic innovators to demonstrate the power of technology to transform the act of giving."

Other topics for the September 20^th day-long forum will include how philanthropy drives economic recovery, expands opportunity, and strengthens community.

Launched in December in 2011, Benevolent is a groundbreaking nonprofit website that utilizes a social media model to connect people who face hurdles along their paths to stability with those who want to help. Unlike traditional giving opportunities, Benevolent provides a platform for choice and direct personal giving, coupled with the security of a trusted validation process.

Through a crowd-giving model, Benevolent provides a validated and secure means for donors, people with one-time needs, and community nonprofits to collaborate in addressing challenges to overcoming poverty, one person at a time. Individuals tell their own stories, with dignity and pride in their accomplishments and plans, leaving pity and shame behind. Benevolent connects 3 main components in the giving equation: prospective donors to funnel funds to a specific need, individuals in need, and local nonprofits that validate the needs and fulfill them.

Kashner, Founder & CEO of Chicago-based nonprofit Benevolent, is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 20 years of strategic management, community partnership building and organizational planning experience. For more information about Benevolent, or to schedule an interview with Founder and CEO Megan Kashner, please contact Paul J. Crossey: 872.216.3401 / [email protected].

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SOURCE Benevolent