Monetizing Your Mission

The life of a civil rights activist much like the life of a writer, may sometimes be romanticized as being one of a pauper. However, there are plenty of writers who are anything but paupers. Exhibit A, John Grisham, whose estimated net worth is somewhere north of $500 million. In the same way, the life of a civil rights activist, attorney, or social entrepreneur does not have to be one which is committed to poverty or squalor either. I am reminded of the movie, Roman J. Israel, Esq. If you have not seen it I recommend it, because it goes to this very point. For instance, just to name a few more well known civil rights activists, Rev. Al Sharpton, earned just over $1 million in total compensation according to organizational filings. In addition, Sherrilyn Ifill, earned just under $400,000 as Director-Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Education Fund, according to organizational filings. The point of this exercise and this post, is not to do what some in the media might, which is criticize these individuals and organizations, but it is to highlight that civil rights work is just as important as any other work, and those that engage in it should be compensated accordingly. This means that those who desire to enter this work should be able to earn a living as well. You should be able to monetize your mission. Whether it is founding an organization, obtaining grants from foundations or other entities, or creating products and programs that serve the people you are trying to help, there is no reason why you should not be able to do so. It just requires a certain level of planning and strategy, but it is possible. If you are interested in ways to do that, I have created a free guide to funding your activism here. The takeaway is that you have to be resilient, patient, persistent, and positive. You also have to be creative and willing to think outside the box to come up with a way to monetize your mission. The point is to use a phrase that was coined and I believe eventually turned into a book. There is a THIRD DOOR. You are not stuck between poverty and a passion-less career. There is a way to make a difference and a profit at the same time. You just have to be willing to find it. As always, keep fighting for civil rights and justice.