changemakers
Those transforming systems
Changemakers are people who take initiative to address social problems and drive positive transformation in their communities or the world.
The term emerged from nonprofit and social entrepreneurship circles, where it describes activists, innovators, and leaders who don't wait for permission to tackle issues: The foundation funds young changemakers working on climate solutions.
Often used in mission statements and grant applications, sometimes to the point of feeling like jargon.
Creating and managing ventures
- startupsNewly launched businesses
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- inventionNew device or method
pioneers · trailblazers · technology · prototyping · creativity · ingenuity · social enterprise · incubators
Generous giving for others
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- activismDirect effort for reform
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- outreachProactive community assistance
sustainability · equity · inclusion · justice · awareness · community · volunteerism · service
Ability to anticipate futures
- idealistPursuer of noble principles
- futuristTomorrow trends scholar
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- dreamerOne given to fantasies
strategist · leader · thinker · visionary · inspiration · imagination · long-term thinking · paradigm shift
Official enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- amendmentChange to official text
- petitionFormal written appeal
democracy · equality · rights · parliament · regulation · bills · governance · civic
entrepreneurship
Creating and managing ventures
- startupsNewly launched businesses
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
invention · pioneers · trailblazers · technology · prototyping · creativity · ingenuity · social enterprise · incubators · accelerators
philanthropy
Generous giving for others
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- activismDirect effort for reform
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
outreach · sustainability · equity · inclusion · justice · awareness · community · volunteerism · service · humanitarian
foresight
Ability to anticipate futures
dreamer · strategist · leader · thinker · visionary · inspiration · imagination · long-term thinking · paradigm shift · moonshot
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- amendmentChange to official text
petition · democracy · equality · rights · parliament · regulation · bills · governance · civic · voting
- notable womenRosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony
- women's historywomen's history, herstory, women's movement, suffrage movement, notable women
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- trailblazerstrailblazers, pioneers, innovators, groundbreakers, forerunners
- women achieverswomen's history, pioneering women, trailblazers, innovators, leaders
- reformersreformers, reformer, social reformers, social reformer, political reformer
changemakersbystanders
People present but uninvolved
spectators · fence-sitters · onlookers · armchair critics · do-nothings
changemakerstraditionalists
Upholders of established customs
reactionaries · obstructionists · conservatives · preservationists · old guard
changemakersdestroyers
Fast armed naval vessels
oppressors · saboteurs · exploiters · obstructionists · wreckers