There is often a gap in dedicated community-building efforts for specific causes. While many nonprofits focus on direct action or advocacy, few prioritize creating spaces where like-minded individuals can connect, share resources, and collaborate effectively. Without these hubs, efforts can become fragmented, reducing overall impact.
Building Communities for Impact
A potential solution could involve creating organizations modeled after the Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA), but tailored to individual causes like climate change or animal welfare. These would serve as central hubs offering:
- Networking (events, mentorship, forums)
- Educational resources (workshops, expert talks)
- Coordination support to align efforts
The approach would vary by cause - for instance, global health communities might connect researchers, while advocacy-focused groups could prioritize training.
Why This Could Work
Stakeholders would have clear incentives:
- Members: Gain peer connections and ways to contribute meaningfully
- Existing orgs: Access a streamlined pipeline of engaged volunteers and donors
- Funders: See amplified impact through better coordination
Unlike general platforms like Meetup, these would offer cause-specific tools and support. Unlike advocacy groups, they'd focus explicitly on community growth rather than direct action.
Getting Started
One way to test this would be:
- Select a cause with existing interest but no community hub (e.g., a waitlist could validate demand)
- Launch a minimal version (Slack group + quarterly meetups) to gauge engagement
- Expand offerings (funding pools, training) as the community matures
Revenue could come from grants, premium memberships, or sponsored events. The key advantage lies in specialization - providing deeper, more relevant support than general community platforms.