Who: Rajiv Shenoy, founder of Orca TV, a Great Falls-based communications software provider for universities.
Age: 24.
Charitable giving highlights: Contributes corporate funds to the Future Fund, a giving circle within the Northern Virginia Community Foundation that is funded by young professionals.
Do you notice Generation Y entrepreneurs incorporating philanthropy in their businesses?
I try to preach that your time is sometimes as valuable as the money you give. Even if it’s three hours a month, it goes a lot farther than writing a $50 check. Obviously both are important. But a lot of young entrepreneurs are incorporating giving back in their business model. I was watching a television show about how a group of young kids started a restaurant and now they’ve grown to 10 restaurants but a big part of their business plan was only getting fresh food from the local community. I know a lot of business owners started by younger people and giving back has been ingrained. It’s something becoming almost natural.
Describe the moment you decided to give back through your business?
I think it’s always been a necessity and part of my lifestyle, especially living in Northern Virginia. It’s a norm. Once we started growing and building the business, I knew I was ready to make an impact and the NVCF’s Future Fund seemed like an awesome, local and new opportunity. So when they reached out to me to help, I knew it was the right cause and ran with it.
What is your commitment to the Future Fund?
I participate in monthly phone calls to raise money for the fund and discuss different ways to get more young people involved. Also, my business contributed to the annual gala. I participate in committee meetings where we talk about what charities we want to give back to and different ways to get the community engaged. It’s more strategic than anything else.
Why did you choose the Future Fund?
I was thinking a lot between the Red Cross and the United Way. What I liked about the Future Fund is that it’s closer to home. The people involved were very excited and it was new. I always like starting from scratch. Later down the road, I’d like to be a part of other organizations, too.
What kind of impact are you looking to make?
More than anything, I want to get more recent grads and young people involved in the community early. I think most people think you have to wait until you’re in your mid-40s. I want to get more Generation Y people to participate and be passionate about giving back. Even if it’s not through the fund, I encourage them to become a part-time coach or join a soup kitchen to give back.
How receptive would you say the Gen Y entrepreneurs have been to this message?
I think they’re really receptive because we’ve been raised on being active anyway. It’s just a matter of getting them to do it and sticking with it. That’s the hardest part. A lot of us are interested in a lot of different things. Part of it is seeing something through to its completion or doing it properly.
What has influenced you to give back through your business?
My parents immigrated here from India and so they always preached the hard-working mentality. They’ve always been extremely involved in the Northern Virginia community, like being on the board of public schools. Watching them enjoy what they do got me passionate about it at a young age.
— Interview with Vanessa Small
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