Purposeful Economics
Economics with purpose, people at center.
A dues-based membership community anchored in the IDEA® principles of Innovation, Diversity, Excellence, and Accountability. Join a growing network of practitioners, advocates, and partners committed to shared prosperity.
"The better off we all are, the better off we all are."Malcolm Adams, The Purposeful Economist
Purposeful economics
The economy is not a machine. It is a community of choices.
Purposeful economics is the conviction that economic activity and human flourishing are not in tension — they are the same project. When enterprises invest in people, when communities invest in enterprises, and when policy enables both, everyone moves forward together.
This community exists to turn that conviction into practice. Members share knowledge, build relationships, advance advocacy, and hold each other accountable to outcomes that matter. Whether you are a practitioner, a policy thinker, an entrepreneur, or an ally — there is a place here for you.
Membership
Choose your level of engagement
Six tiers from free to institutional. Start as an Observer and grow with the community at your own pace.
Observer
Forever free
- Public Substack newsletter
- LinkedIn community access
- Monthly purposeful economics digest
- ADG news and announcements
Participant
or $97/year
- Everything in Observer
- Full paid Substack archive
- Circle community access
- Monthly live virtual Q&A
- Member directory
Practitioner
or $297/year
- Everything in Participant
- Practitioner-only Circle cohort
- Two workshops per month
- Resource library and playbooks
- Early access to advocacy updates
- Priority event registration
Champion
or $497/year
- Everything in Practitioner
- Monthly group strategy roundtable
- Advocacy action toolkit & policy briefs
- Champion directory badge & profile
- Exclusive member-only virtual events
- Access to recorded workshop library
Catalyst
or $997/year
- Everything in Practitioner
- Quarterly 1:1 strategy session
- VIP Circle cohort and direct access
- Guest post or co-authorship opportunity
- ADG advisory acknowledgment
- Annual impact report feature
Partner
or $5,000/year
- Everything in Catalyst
- Up to five organizational seats
- Sponsored content visibility slot
- ADG partnership acknowledgment
- Annual event speaking opportunity
- Custom onboarding for your team
Important: Adams Dynamics Group Inc. is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Membership dues are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. Dues support the civic engagement, advocacy, and community programs of ADG under the IDEA® framework. Questions? Contact us.
Where we gather
Three platforms, one community
Each platform serves a distinct purpose in the member journey. Together they form a complete ecosystem from discovery to deep engagement.
Top of funnel — Discovery
Where the Purposeful Economics brand lives publicly. Thought leadership posts, purposeful economics insights, IDEA® updates, and community highlights are shared here. Follow Malcolm Adams to begin your journey as an Observer. Free to all.
Content engine — Depth
Substack
The Purposeful Economics newsletter is the intellectual core of the community. Free subscribers receive the monthly digest. Paid members at Participant and above receive all essays, research notes, case studies, and the complete archive — updated weekly.
Community hub — Relationship
Circle
Our dedicated community platform where paid members gather, collaborate, and grow together. Separate tier-specific spaces ensure every member has an experience matched to their level. Workshops, live events, member directories, and direct access all live here.
The member journey
Every path through the community follows the same arc — from discovery to deep engagement.
Discover
LinkedIn post or referral
Subscribe
Free Observer on Substack
Engage
Upgrade to Participant or Practitioner
Lead
Catalyst: 1:1 access and advisory role
Partner
Corporate sponsorship and team access
Questions
Frequently asked
Are membership dues tax-deductible?
No. Adams Dynamics Group Inc. is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, not a 501(c)(3) public charity. Dues paid to ADG are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. If you are seeking a tax-deductible giving opportunity, please visit Adams Career Academy, our 501(c)(3) affiliate.
What is purposeful economics?
Purposeful economics is the philosophy that economic activity and human flourishing are the same project. It holds that enterprises, communities, and institutions can and should align their incentives so that prosperity is broadly shared — not zero-sum. Malcolm Adams has written and spoken extensively on this framework, most recently at TEDx.
What does the IDEA® framework mean for members?
IDEA® stands for Innovation, Diversity, Excellence, and Accountability — the four principles that have guided Adams Dynamics Group since 2018. As a member, you join a community that holds itself to these standards in its work, its relationships, and its advocacy. IDEA® is a registered trademark of Adams Dynamics Group Inc.
How do I upgrade or change my membership tier?
You can upgrade at any time through your Substack or Circle account settings. Downgrades take effect at your next billing cycle. Annual plan upgrades are prorated. For Catalyst and Partner tier transitions, please contact us directly so we can ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
Is this community connected to Avid Solutions or Adams Career Academy?
The community is organized under Adams Dynamics Group Inc., the 501(c)(4) parent entity in the Adams portfolio. It is distinct from Avid Solutions International (for-profit AI and agtech) and Adams Career Academy (501(c)(3) workforce development). Membership here supports ADG's civic engagement and social welfare mission specifically.
What do Corporate Partners receive beyond individual access?
The Partner tier provides up to five organizational seats, a sponsored content visibility slot in the Substack and Circle platforms, formal ADG partnership acknowledgment in publications and events, and an annual speaking or panel opportunity. It is designed for organizations whose mission and values align with purposeful economics.
How often does Malcolm Adams personally engage in the community?
Malcolm hosts a monthly live Q&A open to all paid members, a quarterly 1:1 strategy session available to Catalyst and Partner members, and posts regularly across Substack and LinkedIn. Practitioner and above members also receive priority access to Malcolm's speaking schedule and workshop sessions.
Can I cancel my membership at any time?
Yes. Monthly memberships can be cancelled at any time with access continuing through the end of the billing period. Annual memberships are non-refundable but can be cancelled to prevent renewal. To cancel, manage your subscription through Substack or Circle, or contact us for assistance.
The better off we all are, the better off we all are.
Start as an Observer at no cost. Read the newsletter, follow the conversation, and join when you are ready. The community will be here.