Book Praise

“Emily Dickinson was right that hope is the thing with feathers, but Jim is right that hope is the thing that we need right now. With this book, and with his unceasing wisdom, he is determined to keep hope alive.”

— David Shribman,  Pulitzer Prize Winner

“The ability to harness hope as an anchor for change as described in A Matter of Hope by Jim Bildner has transformed my life and I know it will do the same for you.”

—Sue Gordon, Former Principal Executive of National Intelligence

“I know firsthand that hope and belief in a better future is the building block for making change happen. Throughout my life, I have seen this belief enable people to overcome fear and resignation and unlock their potential to make a difference. Jim’s book is the playbook to making this happen.”

—Ruth Simmons, Former President of Spellman College, Brown University, and Prairie View A&M University; Bestselling Author; and recipient of the National Humanities Medal

“Hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s built on a foundation of belief in the essential humanity in each of us. Jim Bildner's very life journey, and the powerful examples in his uplifting book, reinforces—or restores—our confidence in the future. A great read at a critical time in our nation.”

—General Stan McChrystal (Retired), US Army, CEO and Chairman McChrystal Group

“Jim Bildner is a leader who makes a difference in the world. His new book, A Matter of Hope is the playbook for social entrepreneurs and funders on how change takes place in communities and the world.”

—Rob Kaplan, Vice Chair at Goldman Sachs, Former President of the Dallas Federal Reserve, and Harvard Business School Professor of Leadership

A Matter of Hope is one of those singular books you cannot put down. From tears of joy, to goosebumps while you read, Jim shows us how literally anyone can move hope to action. For funders it’s not just a playbook, it’s a must read on what it takes to create change in the world.”

—Carrie Morgridge, CEO, Morgridge Family Foundation, Author, and Ironman Finisher

“We can all be extraordinary if we just believe in ourselves, our ideas, and the possibilities of a better future. Jim Bildner’s A Matter of Hope offers practical advice as well as inspiration about how each of us can find opportunities that draw on our own passions and experience to do something truly meaningful.”

—Larry Kramer, President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Former President of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Former Dean of Stanford Law School

“As an entrepreneur, CEO, company builder, and investor, I am in awe over what Jim and his team at DRK have achieved. In this book, Jim describes their work and true achievements, and offers a crisp playlist for current and new entrepreneurs in building scalable and successful social impact enterprises.It’s a must read.”

—Tim Koogle, Former CEO and Chairman of Yahoo! Former Chairman and Investor in Method; Chairman, Ripple Foods, OllyPBC

“This book is the primer on social innovation and entrepreneurship. You will learn all the best skills about the practice from a consummate practitioner.”

—Robin Richards Donohoe, Founder and Managing Director or Draper International, Draper Richards Funds

“This is the book you need to read at this moment in our world. Jim Bildner offers hard-won, practical advice on tackling the problems most of us assume are unsolvable in our lifetimes. The ingredient that must infuse all this work is hope, he insists, and when you put the book down, you’ll have a lot more of it.”

—Judy Woodruff, Former Anchor of PBS News Hour, Peabody Award winner, and internationally acclaimed journalist