Public Service Innovators -- Susan Hackley (MPA '94) Brings Philanthropy Online

Given her background in politics and negotiation, Susan Hackley (MPA '94) seems an unlikely volunteer for the dot-com roller coaster ride. But Givenation.com - where Hackley is a co-founder and senior vice president - is not your typical startup.

Givenation.com visitors can browse nonprofits by category, read about an organization's history, use their credit card to make a donation, and maintain an ongoing record of contributions for budgeting and tax purposes, among other useful options. Donations are transferred directly to the nonprofit's account; Givenation.com charges the nonprofit a flat fee of between $2.50 and $5 per transaction.

"It's a way to democratize philanthropy through the Internet," says Hackley. "There are some wonderful, smaller organizations that would have a difficult time getting attention without the Internet. Our model makes it easy for people to think proactively about giving."

The company also wants to make it easy for organizations to participate. "On the Givenation.com site, nonprofits control their own presence," Hackley states. "They write their own description, and can update it whenever they want."

Hackley is a former communications director for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, where she met Steven Grossman and Faith Brown, fellow co-founders of Givenation.com. "Working for a startup is like a campaign," Hackley remarks. "There's a goal, deadlines, and thresholds to reach or you fail. It's incredibly intense and exhilarating.

"This is a new and fragile institution. It's very fluid," Hackley continues. "But it's important to persuade investors of its potential. I keep my head filled with the wonderful stories of what nonprofits are doing, right now."

Hackley worked for five years at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School after receiving her degree from the Kennedy School. "I've always had an interest in trying to help solve problems," she says. "The skills I developed at the Kennedy School - in management, strategic thinking, and communication - were of tremendous value to me."

Those abilities should continue to serve Hackley well as she and her partners shepherd Givenation.com through its second year of existence. Last April's stock market correction to the fevered Internet economy and a more cautious investor attitude toward dot-com enterprises doesn't make that task any easier, but Hackley remains optimistic. "We feel we're one of the top players, and we spent well under $1.5 million to get here. A downturn in the market is tough, but it makes you work smarter."