As I sit here sipping my tea, I postulate my plans. Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Valsad – what do these mean? All my bags are packed, visa is purchased, shots administered, Imodium in tow. I am going to India. This will not be a backpacker’s trekking dream, venturing from the Himalayan-lined Amritsar to the delicious beaches of Goa. I am going to learn. I am going to understand change. I am going to try and fully comprehend what is a social entrepreneur.
For the last four weeks we have read materials on and discussed the ideas that define social entrepreneurship in our class. However, I still remain unsure over what is a social entrepreneur. What characteristics define this concept that might actually be a fad? Does is really matter what terms we use as long as, in the end, social change takes place?
As I spend the next two weeks in India, I will be taking the time to reflect upon the idea of social entrepreneurship Currently, my understanding of this dense term is pretty basic – a social entrepreneur is someone how has a passion and drive for change and thereby finds a means to create an economic enterprise that would allow the social change to be sustainable.
That are some organizations already in place that are fostering an environment that is supportive and empowering for social entrepreneurs and their passionate endeavors. Ones in particular include: Kiva, Global Giving, Global India Fund, and Samhita. These four organizations are very different in how they provide support for social entrepreneurs but their work is equally important.
Kiva – based out of San Francisco, Kiva is a non-profit that focuses on connecting people through microloans. The idea is that individuals from around the world can donate funds as small as $25 USD towards a project aimed at alleviating poverty. Kiva works in over 59 countries, having provided $233 million USD in loans. With a repayment rate of 98.79%, it’s very apparent that Kiva’s program works. These loans are crucial for the livelihood of impoverished communities; the individuals receiving the loans are ones that have no access to traditional banking systems. One hundred percent of the loan provided from a donor goes directly to the project, while Kiva funds its efforts through grants and fundraising. It’s amazing to see a truly philanthropic organization that is out to bring about change without trying to line their pockets. After exploring Kiva’s website, I have to say I am truly impressed by their work and hope to be afforded the opportunity to work with them in the near future.
Global Giving – Global Giving provides funding to organizations with social change projects. GG works with over 1,000 grassroots charity projects that have undergone a selection screening process. By providing a database with projects, GG boasts of having an “efficient, transparent way to make an impact with your giving.” The difference between Kiva and Global Giving is that GG charges a 15% fee for donations made towards a project, versus 100% of the loan for the project via Kiva. To be fair, GG does make it clear that a donor does not have to agree to the 15% fee.
Global India Fund and Samhita – I pair these two organizations because of my work with them as well as their link to each other. I have been volunteering with the GIF (even though it feels more like working with Samhita) since January, serving as a “non-profit consultant,” helping the Indian NGOs in the Samhita database develop their donor profile. This work includes grammar and spelling checks as well as editing and consultation on transparency and development of online information. My first (and only) organization I worked with was the Kaivalya Trust, funding the Kedi Residential School for Tribal Girls in Valsad (just north of Bombay). My time spent working with the Kedi School on their online profile provided insights into the GIF and Samhita organizations and the work they do. Samhita provides an online database of various organizations working in the social sector in India to help direct national and international donors towards projects they’d like to fund. Global India Fund provides the link for US donors to the Samhita-sponsored NGOs. The support by these two organizations ensures that thousands of projects get funded and bring about social change.
After reflecting upon all of these organizations I realize this biggest similarity: they are all dedicated to connecting grassroots, drivers-of-change with international donors who are looking to help through monetary support. I use to scoff at the idea of just donating money – I want to make a greater difference then throwing some good ol’ American dollars at an organization. While there is extreme value in time and efforts, donating skills and expertise, I am realizing the importance of funds. I cannot simply hop on a plane and venture 6000 miles to Nepal to work on a sustainable farm for a rural elementary school. Neither can other members of the International Organization for Bleeding-Hearts (I might have made that up). But money does and can go far – donors are investing in the well-being of a community and the overall drive for social changes. That’s definitely worth putting my money where my mouth is.
India, here I come!
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