Play BIG hosts invitational events for people with large capital reserves who are seeking to align their wealth with their values and to activate their whole portfolios towards positive impact on the issues they care about.

Play BIG Hollyhock 2009

September 2nd–6th, 2009

Carol Newell’s effort to use her wealth to its capacity to support a conservation economy in B.C. is an ongoing story that demonstrates one way that creatively placed, mission-driven dollars can positively promote social movement within a region. With this living example of “whole-portfolio activation” as a stimulant and case study, financial peers are invited to bring their own Play BIG stories and aspirations to the conversation. Marian Moore and Carol are the founders of Play BIG.

Visit the Play BIG website: www.playbig.ca

About Play BIG

Play BIG events typically include some of the following:

  • The Renewal Story: A look at the trials, successes and strategies of Carol Newell’s whole portfolio activation to mission;
  • Play BIG Stories: Guest speakers bring to the program their stories and experience in the innovative use of mission driven capital;
  • Case studies, in which attendees bring their missions and challenges to a panel of advisors and the group for discussion;
  • One-on-one consults with strategic and financial advisors;
  • Peer strategy sessions and group conversation in which attendees are given the opportunity to exchange ideas and build the skills necessary to leverage their financial capital to support their mission.

Past Conference Sessions

The following is a sample of what you can to expect to find at a Play BIG event:

  • Vision and Decision: Money on Mission – Carol Newell, funder and founder, Renewal
  • Whole Portfolio Activation to Mission: What does it Look Like?
  • The Renewal Vision – Joel Solomon, CEO & President, Renewal; Martha Burton, Senior Vice President, Renewal
  • Making the Most of Mission Money: Your Focus, Your Vision, Your Role – Elizabeth Crook, Orchard Advisors
  • Connecting to the Power of the Tax Advantage to Your Mission: Stories and Strategies – Jim Morrisey, Vice President, Ernst and Young
  • Attendee Case Study: Activating Liberated Capital – Panel Discussion
  • Play BIG Story: Wildlands Philanthropy: Preserving Nature through Private Initiative – Kris Tompkins
  • Play BIG Story: Scaling Generative Business: Building Networks of Productive Lives – Bill Young, Founder, Social Capital Partners
  • Facilitated Peer Inquiry and Coaching Groups

Speakers

“…We have got to start a quiet revolution...” 
                                          –Abigail Disney

Play BIG Hollyhock 2009 has confirmed guest speaker Abigail Disney. As an heir to the Disney family fortune, Abby has become increasingly public in her encouragement of fellow wealth-holders to put their money to work in service of their values. Founder and the President of the Daphne Foundation, Abby is also a filmmaker whose documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell tells the story of the bold and successful peacemaking women of Liberia.

Past speakers at Play BIG have included:

  • Kris Tompkins, who works to protect habitat by conserving whole ecosystems (2.2 million acres) in South America.
  • Bill Young, Founder of Social Capital Partners, in Toronto, Canada, which funds businesses employing the disadvantaged.
  • David Berge, the President and Founder of Underdog Ventures, LLC, a company that creates and manages customized community venture capital funds, integrating development stage investing to drive substantial and philanthropic commitments.
  • Helen LaKelly Hunt, Founder of the Sister Fund, a private women’s fund dedicated to the social, political, economic and spiritual empowerment of women and girls.
  • Andy Rappaport, Founder and Principle of Skyline Public Works, which blends venture capital with political philanthropy by investing in emerging political entrepreneurs who are re-inventing the progressive movement in the United States.
  • Doris Buffett, Founder and Funder of The Sunshine Lady Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for women and children, and to foster the growth of philanthropy, through education.