<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">I agree with Darian Rodriguez Heyman about the importance of reaching out to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as well as to other tech-based foundations to seek their input, commitment and funding for a new fund that addresses 21st Century concerns. Perhaps GAID could plan a conference in Silicon Valley involving country donors, tech firms and foundations, NGOs, and UN organizations to scope out the vision, funding priorities, mission, and strategy of a new fund.<div>
<br>Having worked with several donor countries who may welcome the opportunity to provide input before being approached for funding, I might suggest inviting prospective donors from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, and US. Happy to provide their contact information. <br>
<br></div><div>And we just facilitated a delegation of USAID and NGO representatives to meet with Silicon Valley firms, VC funds, and foundations where in just a matter of a few weeks, truly innovative partnerships are emerging. If there is interest in coordinating some kind of conference, I'm happy to provide contact information for Apple, Case Foundation, Cisco, Dell, Facebook, Flora Family Foundation, Ford Foundation, Global Catalyst Foundation, Google, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Omidyar Network, Salesforce.com, Skoll Foundation, Sun and others.</div>
<div><br>Having raised funds from donors, foundations, and through global donation campaigns through the years, I think with a little coordinated effort,millions could be raised to start addressing the tech for development issues that, if tackled, can truly bring global connection, connectivity, education, equipment, and policy change for all. <br>
<br>All the best and regards,<br>Sarah</div><div><br></div><div>Sarah McCue, Ph.D.<br>Founder and Board Chair, BluMail<br>Former Senior Tech Partnership Advisor, World Bank</div><div>Former Manager, ICT for Development Practice, UNDP<br>
<br></div><div>On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 5:26 AM, Darian Rodriguez Heyman <<a href="mailto:darian@darianheyman.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(42, 93, 176); ">darian@darianheyman.com</a>> wrote:<br><br>Charles,<br>
<br></div><div>For what it's worth, I've done fundraising for similar initiatives when I was at Craigslist Foundation. It may not be easy, but it is possible, especially if it can be shown that there's a demonstrable need/impact, and that we would be filling a unique role. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation would be the place I'd start, and I have a contact there who heads up their new Network Effectiveness program. Happy to talk further if appropriate, and will be available to talk after my return on April 26th if that'd be helpful.<br>
<br></div><div>In Community,<br>Darian<br>Darian Rodriguez Heyman<br>Commissioner, San Francisco Department of the Environment (<a href="http://www.sfenvironment.org" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(42, 93, 176); ">www.sfenvironment.org</a>)<br>
Member of the United Nations' GAID High-Level Panel of Advisors (<a href="http://www.un-gaid.org" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(42, 93, 176); ">www.un-gaid.org</a>)<br>Mobile: (415) 637-5062<br>P Please consider the environment before printing this email.<br>
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On Apr 15, 2009, at 9:57 AM, Michael Gurstein wrote:<br><br></div><div>Charles,<br> <br>Your suggestion re: a global civil society ICT4D network is a very good one and moreover is one where there has already been considerable discussion. Also, there are a variety of networks at the national and even global level that would usefully be part of such a global body... (several of them now function in a somewhat similar role). <br>
<br>The problem from my experience with these efforts is that there is little funding available for the establishment and maintenance of these networks. Funders are interested mostly in one off projects and rarely will provide "establishment/overhead" funding.<br>
<br>Even though these networks can function largely electronically they still require maintenance and development which requires attention and effort which in turn require resources. <br> <br>The more active these networks become i.e. the more they actually engage in doing things on the ground rather than simply functioning as discussion vehicles/e-lists/websites the more such funding is required and as is clearly visible in this area as in others, "he who pays the piper...<br>
<br>I don't mean to completely discourage such an effort and particularly one that might function under UN (or other officially sanctioned auspices) but simply to introduce a bit of caution into the discussion. Thinking through a funding (for example a UN trust fund) and governance model in advance might save a lot of difficulties down the road.<br>
<br>Best,<br> <br>MBG </div></span>