INSPIRED IMPACT™ features purpose-driven leaders and social entrepreneurs who are making a meaningful impact in their communities, industries, and around the world.
Devin Thorpe is a champion of social good and candidate for the running for Congress in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube and learn more at devinthorpe.com.
TELL US, WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
I’m Devin Thorpe and I call myself a champion of social good. For years, I have been working as a journalist, author and speaker to find and advocate to eradicate extreme poverty, improve global health and reverse climate change. After eight years, I have concluded that the best way for me to continue this work is to run for Congress in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
In 1976, the Teton Dam failed, flooding the nearby town of Rexburg, Idaho, leaving 80% of the structures there damaged or destroyed. Living in Salt Lake City, my father invited me to join him on a church service trip to Rexburg to help dig muck and mud out of basements. Though I now appreciate I was more in the way than helpful, I thought I had made a difference and vowed never to miss an opportunity to serve others. While I haven’t always lived up to that promise, that experience has come to define my life. I seek to improve the lives of as many people as possible.
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I stand for the rights of the underserved, for those who cannot speak for themselves and seek to amplify their voices.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
Over the years, I have helped hundreds of nonprofits raise a total of many millions of dollars via crowdfunding. I literally wrote the book on Crowdfunding for Social Good. I’m convinced that I can do more for the people of my state and the world in Washington.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?
While I admire Bill Gates and have had the opportunity to interview him twice, I am more genuinely inspired by the rather more ordinary people who have nonetheless managed to have great impact in the world. I’m convinced that the only thing stopping us from playing above our weight class is our misperception that we can’t.
WHAT’S YOUR VISION, YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
I envision a world of genuinely equal opportunity—not outcomes—where everyone has access to good health care and everything is powered by clean, cheap and abundant energy. The investments we make in building renewables now will produce clean, virtually free energy for generations. The future is almost unbelievably bright.
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU FACING?
Everyone seeking to do good worries about how to do the most good with their available talents and resources. After working on Capitol Hill for a few years 30 years ago, I concluded that to have real impact in Washington, you must be elected. I intend to return with impact.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORK YOU’RE DOING?
While I see the grave challenges that people of Utah, the United States, and the world are facing today, I’m convinced that the future is bright, not bleak. Good people far outnumber the bad. We have shared values that unite us and together there is no problem we can’t solve.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE OR WORDS OF INSPIRATION TO SHARE?
Something I like to say is, “Money’s only real value is the good you can do with it.”
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Visit devinthorpe.com to learn more about my vision and how you can help.
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