Paul Brainerd (born 1947) is an American businessman, computer programmer and philanthropist. In 1984, he co-founded the Aldus Corporation, which released Pagemaker, the first consumer-use desktop publishing software. Brainerd has since coined the term "desktop publishing". Since 1995, he has been involved in philanthropic efforts, including the founding of Social Ventures Partners in 1997, a global organization that connects local investors with non-profit community organizations.
Brainerd was born in Medford, Oregon, to Phil and VerNatta Brainerd.[1][2] He attended the University of Oregon, where he received his BA in business administration, followed by an M.S. in journalism from the University of Minnesota.[1][3] He was the editor for the school's paper, the Oregon Daily Emerald.[3] Following graduation, he worked at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.[3][4]
Brainerd co-founded the publishing/printing software company Aldus in 1984.[5] The company subsequently brought PageMaker to the market.[6] Brainerd is also known for having coined the term "desktop publishing".[7][8] He stepped down from his position of president and chief executive of Aldus in 1993, ten years after its founding.[6]
In 1995, Brainerd founded the Brainerd Foundation, a small family foundation that provides innovative grantmaking to Pacific Northwest communities and nonprofits to build a lasting conservation ethic at the local, state, and federal level.[9]
Brainerd founded Social Ventures Partners (SVP) in 1997. The organization works by matching philanthropists, who provide funding and mentorship, with local community organizations.[10][11][12][13] By 2017, the organization consisted of 3,500 venture philanthropists in 43 cities and nine countries.[10] The group's collective investments total more than $63 million in over 800 organizations.[10]
In 2000, Paul Brainerd founded Islandwood, an environmental learning center created to improve access to meaningful, nature-based learning experiences for the region's children. The center is located on Bainbridge Island, Washington.[14][15]
In 2018, Brainerd founded Camp Glenorchy,[16][17] an accommodation provider that operates in Glenorchy, New Zealand. Camp Glenorchy is designed, built, engineered and operated in line with the philosophy and principles of the Living Building Challenge, a sustainability standard for buildings.[18][19] The establishment of the camp was controversial with the local community.[20][21]