Venture capitalist Nick Cooney is turning his upcoming book launch into a bold philanthropic challenge. In a unique approach to publishing, Cooney has pledged to donate $100 to high-impact charitable programs for every pre-order of his new book, What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More.
Cooney, founder and managing partner at Lever VC, aims to leverage book sales as a direct mechanism for creating social change. The book explores psychological barriers that prevent individuals from taking action to help those in need and offers practical insights on maximizing personal impact.
The charitable donations will support programs addressing extreme poverty, animal suffering, and critical environmental protections. Demonstrating his commitment, Cooney has stated he will continue donating until he has exhausted his personal liquid wealth.
Published by Regalo Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, the book represents a novel intersection of publishing and philanthropy. Publisher Gretchen Young noted the initiative is gaining momentum through social media campaigns and influencer collaborations.
By connecting book pre-orders directly to charitable giving, Cooney transforms a traditional book launch into a potential catalyst for meaningful social change. The book will be available on April 15th, with pre-orders accepted through April 14th.
This announcement matters because it challenges conventional publishing models and demonstrates how individual action can be amplified through strategic philanthropy. For the New York City metro area, home to many in the venture capital and publishing industries, this approach could inspire similar initiatives that align business success with measurable social impact. The implications extend beyond a single book launch: if successful, this model could encourage other authors and entrepreneurs to use their platforms for direct giving, potentially shifting how we think about corporate social responsibility and individual philanthropy.
