What Is CGI, Anyway?

More than 1,200 heads of state, philanthropists, CEOs and other luminaries will convene in New York on Sept. 26-28 for the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting. There they will mix, mingle, partner and pledge thousands of hours and millions of dollars to try to make some of the world’s most pressing problems go away.

All of which sounds pretty good. It also begs the question: What exactly is the Clinton Global Initiative?

Think of it as a version of eBay for the global aid community. The difference is, instead of connecting owners of old Transformers and other kitsch collectibles with eager buyers, CGI brokers hook up nonprofit groups with deep-pocketed donors and foundations that are willing to finance them.

“Our approach is more like a marketplace model,” says Ben Yarrow, CGI spokesman. “We bring together those who have ideas about how to effect change with those who have the financial means and desire to get involved.”

President Clinton and his William J. Clinton Foundation launched CGI in 2005 with the aim of creating a nonprofit facilitator rather than a classic philanthropic enterprise. The difference between it and many other charities is that as opposed to simply collecting donations and dispensing money, the organization aims to spur action, not just feel-good check writing.

The annual invite-only meetings are held in New York each September in order to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly, and CGI makes its esteemed members put their money — or time, or intellectual know-how — where their mouths are.

Everyone who attends has to make a commitment to take action in one of CGI’s four predetermined areas of focus. The topics for this year’s meeting: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation.

Since its launch in 2005, the CGI has sparked more than 570 separate commitments worth more than $10 billion.

The projects have launched in more than 100 countries and involved more than 1,000 organizations, ranging from community-focused groups such as the environmental nonprofit Sustainable South Bronx, to larger groups with broader spheres of concern. For example, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on education and global health issues, has contributed $1.5 million to CGI health projects.

CGI membership remains limited largely to leaders, luminaries, nonprofit innovators and potential funders, but this year the organization is looking to extend its reach.

A new Web site, MyCommitment.org, is set to launch during the week of the annual meeting. The portal is designed to inspire average Joes and Janes to make their own pledges to get off their couches and get involved.
See CGI’s Web site for a list and description of past projects and for more information about the annual meeting.
Jeremy Egner is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.