To combat the sixth mass extinction,
we must rethink fundraising
The Earth is currently in the midst of its sixth mass extinction. In the past four decades, we have lost 70% of all wildlife on Earth. This is the most devastating loss of biodiversity in history (on par with what happened to the dinosaurs — the Great Dying that occurred 251.4 million years ago eradicated about 70% of all terrestrial vertebrates species on earth), and it is only getting worse.
In the last couple of years, we lost iconic species such as the last male Northern White Rhino, the Spix’s Macaw, the Splendid Poison Frog and we are on the brink of losing many more. Today, 37,500 species are threatened with extinction, and in the next decade, 95% of biodiversity and up to 1 million species could be lost. The causes of this mass extinction are climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and poaching.
“The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchild may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” — Sir David Attenborough
To slow down the mass extinction, we need to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. However, the lack of funds makes it more challenging for conservationists to defeat these threats.
But why are there not enough funds?
Fundraising is broken
In 2017, only 3% of global philanthropy went to environmental causes, and out of that, less than 1% went to wildlife conservation. The vast majority of philanthropy (97%) went to other causes such as poverty, education, and health. This is not surprising because when people think about donating, they think about giving to causes that will have an immediate impact on humans. And that is perfectly understandable.
Wildlife charities heavily rely on images and footage of animals who appear helpless, sick, and vulnerable. Although well-intentioned, this approach makes these threatened animals ‘objects of pity’. The traditional pity-based fundraising approach is no longer effective.
But I’m not blaming the organizations either. They have an uphill battle on their hands. Donor and grant money is scarce, and small, grassroots conservation organizations are competing with large, well-funded organizations for donor and grant dollars. Often these big NGOs and international charity organizations have fundraising departments with hundreds of people and big corporations as sponsors. In contrast, small organizations are struggling to get by on a shoestring budget and often rely on volunteers.
Overall, charity fundraising is broken because it is not connecting with people on a deeper level. This lack of relationship creates a disconnection between the donor and the charity which leads to donor fatigue.
Donor fatigue is when someone who regularly donates to charity begins to feel overwhelmed and perhaps even resentful of the constant requests for money. This donor may eventually stop giving altogether.
There are a number of reasons why donor fatigue is occurring more frequently today:
First, there are more charities than ever before competing for donors’ attention and money. Second, donor demographics are changing. The average donor is getting older and has less disposable income (global recession, inflation, etc.). And finally, donor expectations are changing. Today’s donor wants to see the impact of their donation. They want to know that their money is being used effectively and efficiently. They want to trust the charity they are giving to, and they want transparency in how their donation is being used.
In order to raise more funds for wildlife conservation, we need a new approach that is based on transparency, engagement, and fun. If we want to tackle donor fatigue, we need to start by addressing the root causes. We need to be transparent about how donations are being used and show donors the impact their money is making. We need to build relationships with our donors based on their love for the natural world. And finally, we need to make giving fun!
Engaging a new generation of donors
Gen Z (born mid to late 1990s) is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Gen Z were born after the widespread adoption of the internet and mobile technologies. In order to engage Gen Z, we need to meet them where they are: online.
There are a number of reasons why new approaches to fundraising are needed to engage Gen Z:
First, they are digital natives. They are the first generation to fully grow up with the internet, and they are comfortable using it for all aspects of their lives. It is the generation that is most engaged with games. They spend more time on gaming than on any other entertainment, even more than streaming movies or social networks.
Second, they are incredibly socially conscious. They care about important issues like climate change, social justice, and animal welfare. Their purchase decisions are an expression of their values and identity. They are drawn to sustainable products and are willing to pay more for them. They are also more politically progressive than Millennials.
And finally, they are used to instant gratification. They are used to getting what they want, when they want it. They are used to being able to make a purchase with the click of a button. They are impatient and have short attention spans (no offense 😘).
If we want to solve the biodiversity crisis, we need to start by engaging the next generation of donors. We need to create digital experiences that are fun, interactive, and transparent. We need to build relationships with them, show them the impact of their donations, and make giving fun! Gen Z has the power to change the world, and it starts with their smartphones.
Games as Climate Action tools
Games make us feel good because they tap into our natural desires for social connection, competition, and fun. And when we feel good, we are more likely to take action.
That’s why games are such powerful tools for behavior change. They can help us learn new information, form new habits, and make better decisions.
When it comes to climate change, we need all the help we can get. The problem is so big and the solutions so complex that it can be overwhelming. That’s where games come in. Games can make the complex issue of biodiversity loss and climate change feel more manageable and even fun.
Climate action games are games that focus on raising awareness about climate change and its consequences, as well as engaging players in climate action. These games can take many different forms, from 2D mobile games to complex 3D console games. Some climate action games are designed to be educational, while others are designed to be mainly fun and entertaining. Some even donate money to real-world causes. Regardless of their approach, climate action games all have one goal: to get players to take climate action in the real world.
Climate action games are so effective at engaging players in climate action because they make the player feel like they are part of the solution and they provide players with a sense of ownership over their climate action. And of course, they make climate action fun!
Web3 with its Non-Fungible Tokens, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) gives game developers even more tools to create games for good. In the following blog article, we’ll go over why web2 games must evolve and why web3 games are the future in detail.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the broken fundraising model and new approaches to fundraising.
