June 13, 2007
MacArthur Foundation Explores Virtual Reality
Is the nonprofit world ready for a foundation president in virtual reality?
On June 22, Jonathan Fanton, the president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, will hold a conversation on the “role of philanthropy in virtual worlds” with Philip Rosedale, one of the creators of the popular online game Second Life. The discussion will take place in Second Life, with the participants represented by online characters, known as avatars.
“We are interested in learning about virtual worlds and how to operate within them,” writes Mr. Fanton on MacArthur’s blog. “We look to the residents to help us determine how to be helpful and are eager to share our on-going work in such areas as affordable housing, urban renewal, and human rights, and international justice.”
The exploration of virtual reality is part the foundation’s $50-million effort, which it started last year, to learn how tools of the digital age are changing the way young people relate to one another.
While the conservation’s setting may seem, well, odd to some people, Lucy Bernholz, a nonprofit consultant, applauds the decision.
On her blog, Philanthropy 2173, she credits MacArthur with being the “first foundation to leave behind the limitations of physical space and fly into virtual worlds. The foundation will take the bold step of exploring philanthropy in ‘worlds’ without government, where money grows on trees, and where all participation is voluntary.”
Read the Chronicle article about how nonprofit groups are using games like Second Life to raise money and awareness for charitable causes.
What do you think? How will Second Life and other virtual worlds affect philanthropy?
— Ian Wilhelm
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