Why to Go "non-profit"?

?? Why Sonophilia Foundation Chose to Become a Non-Profit Organization ??

Just a few days ago The Sonophilia Foundation held a meeting in #Bonn co-hosted by our advisory board member Eva Wimmers and sponsored by Bechtle and SCHWIND’ Agentur für Zukunftskommunikation .

At that gathering, some asked me the question, why we chose to go the non-profit way, instead of monetizing the access to our amazing network of supporters, just like many conferences or exclusive clubs are doing.

Today, I want to share with you the story of why Sonophilia Foundation, the organization I am proudly associated with, took the significant step of becoming a non-profit organization.

Our decision aligns with the belief that we cannot solely rely on a well-being conference culture to change the world, and we recognized the need to expand our impact beyond the confines of conferences or non-binding gatherings. Let's delve into the reasons behind this transformation that started three years ago.

1?? Aligning Mission and Structure: As a for-profit entity up until three years ago, Sonophilia had been successfully organizing exclusive conferences that aimed to inspire individuals and foster personal growth. However, we realized that our mission went beyond profit-making or networking. The influence our gatherings had on people were very deep! So, we wanted to share our learnings with more people to make a more significant and lasting impact by going beyond an exclusive circle, out to the world to address global challenges, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for sustainable change. By transitioning to a non-profit organization, we could align our structure with our mission, ensuring that our work prioritizes positive impact over financial gain.

2?? Expanding our Focus: Conferences or exclusive networks, while valuable, have a narrow focus that primarily addresses personal wellbeing and thriving. We recognized that making a global impact required a broader perspective—one that encompasses environmental sustainability, social justice, systemic change, and collaboration. As a non-profit organization, we have the flexibility and mandate to expand our focus areas beyond conferences, allowing us to engage in various initiatives, partnerships, and projects that tackle complex global challenges holistically; just like we did at our Matters.Global Challenge with Ocean Protocol, Protocol Labs, XPrize and Foresight Institute.

3?? Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity: One of the limitations of a conference culture is the potential exclusivity it can create. By becoming a non-profit organization, we actively strive to remove barriers to participation and make our initiatives more accessible to a diverse range of individuals and communities. We leverage our resources, network, and partnerships to provide scholarships, grants, and other opportunities that ensure a wider representation of voices, including those from marginalized communities. Many of our events are completely free of charge! Inclusivity lies at the heart of our mission, and our non-profit status helps us translate that commitment into action.

4?? Sustainable Funding and Growth: Sustainability is not only about environmental considerations but also about ensuring the long-term viability of our organization's work. As a non-profit, we have the ability to seek funding from diverse sources, such as grants, donations, and philanthropic partnerships. This financial model allows us to maintain our independence, invest in impactful projects, and sustain our operations beyond the revenue limitations of a for-profit model. We can focus on creating long-term, sustainable change without compromising our mission or compromising the financial viability of our initiatives.

5?? Driving Collective Action and Collaboration: At Sonophilia Foundation, we firmly believe that making the world a better place requires collective action and collaboration. As a non-profit organization, we can actively foster partnerships and collaborations with like-minded individuals, organizations, and institutions. We have the flexibility to engage in cross-sector initiatives, leverage the expertise of diverse stakeholders, and promote systems thinking to tackle complex challenges. By encouraging collaboration, we can amplify our impact and contribute to a collective effort that goes beyond what a conference culture alone can achieve.

In conclusion, the decision to become a non-profit organization for Sonophilia Foundation was driven by our desire to expand our impact beyond a well-being / self-centered conference culture. By aligning our mission and structure, expanding our focus, enhancing accessibility, securing sustainable funding, and driving collective action, we aim to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the world.

We invite you to join us on this journey as we strive for positive change, inclusivity, and sustainability.