Seed Funding Solution for Social Ventures

-
Springboard Innovation, a Portland, Oregon, nonprofit organization that seeks to increase the number of individuals involved in leading and supporting social change, has introduced an innovative social capital marketplace called the changeXchange. This program seeks to provide a solution to the biggest problem facing social entrepreneurs: the acquisition of seed funding. I can attest to how challenging it is to find the initial resources for faith venture start-ups.

The changeXchange web site provides a platform for interested donors to explore different social venture start-ups grouped around affinities like economic stability, improved housing, and vibrant neighborhoods. Individuals then invest in social change shares in the organization that they like.

Over the years, I have been a big admirer of the social capital marketplace innovator Kiva.org and the faith-based performance philanthropy Geneva Global. I’ve dreamed of ways to combine the two. The secular changeXchange seems to be one possible approach. My hope is that a faith based intermediary would catch a similar vision for faith venture start-ups.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Catherine Rohr's Excellent Argument for Hiring Ex-Offenders

-
I was excited to see Catherine Rohr's essay "Why You Should Hire Ex-Cons" in Inc today. She makes a wonderful case that I hope many employers will read. I've long hoped the case for ex-offender employment would start getting a wider audience. As I've written before, employers need not fear hiring ex-offenders. They provide a excellent source of dedicated workers desiring to move beyond the mistakes of their past. And while you are at it, check out the great work Rohr's organization Defy Ventures is  doing in NYC. Many business owners have overlooked a great source of untapped talent: former inmates. Many former drug dealers and gang leaders have skills and attributes you value most in employees, including charisma, resourcefulness, resilience, a willingness to take calculated risks, and strong management skills.  " Why You Should Hire Ex-Cons ," Catherine Rohr in Inc , June 25, 2012 Read rest of the story here .  
Read more

The Accidental Janitorial Company: Freedom Cleaning Services

-
Sometimes opportunity finds you. In 2003, Cherry Hills Community Church called Baby Bud's Director Dianne Sager with a question. The recovery organization that had been cleaning their facility had just closed and Cherry Hills needed a new partner. Would Baby Bud's be interested in cleaning the school at Cherry Hills? Normally a retail baby store would think twice about committing to a job completely unrelated to its core business. But Dianne had 20 years of experience managing a janitorial company prior to Baby Buds. She saw this as a new opportunity to employ more single moms. Within a couple of weeks, Baby Bud's added five single moms for a cleaning crew and Freedom Cleaning Services was born. Within a year, the business had grown to employ ten women with several other churches and commercial businesses as clients. One of the challenges to any business start-up is maintaining the focus on your core business when other opportunities arise. Sometimes it's good to pur
Read more

Thomas Merton on Work

-
The requirements of a work to be done can be understood as the will of God. If I am supposed to hoe a garden or make a table, then I will be obeying God if I am true to the task I am performing. To do the work carefully and well, with love and respect for the nature of my task and with due attention to its purpose, is to unite myself to God's will in my work. In this way I become his instrument.  Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation , Location 357-65
Read more