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Giving engine enables 'buy one, give one' generosity

Non-profit, Social cause Published on 18 March 2010 in Non-profit, Social cause

Regular Springwise readers already know that corporate generosity is increasingly the way to the hearts, minds and, yes, wallets of Generation G. We've seen several "buy one, give one" programs toward that end in recent years—ranging from houses to baby clothes—but recently we happened upon a Singapore-based site that enables and supports myriad such efforts at once through what it calls a transaction-based giving engine.

Businesses interested in setting up a donation program begin by looking through B1G1's list of almost 700 available projects. They can search by country, region, beneficiary or project category, or they can simply browse through the list; a typical donation contributes a small, set amount—two cents, say—toward a particular cause, such as clean water for the needy, each time a particular product is purchased. At the end of the month, participating companies report to B1G1 how many units they sold of that chosen product, and B1G1 calculates the amount of donation due. Once approved by the business, that donation then gets made in a single click.

Business memberships start at USD 395, and there are now participating companies in 14 countries supporting more than 600 projects in 22 countries around the world. More than 19,000 meals have been provided to kids in orphanages and slums as a result, as well as access to clean water for 70,000 people and more, B1G1 says. For the supporting businesses, meanwhile, there's the ability to say, "every time you buy a cup of our coffee, a needy child gets a meal"—or whatever the case may be—and to work that generosity into their own corporate storytelling. Time to make giving a core part of your generosity-minded brand....? (Related: Buy a bottle of wine and donate clean waterPepsi asks crowds which community projects to fundFor every brand and logo, a species to be saved.)

Website: www.b1g1.com
Contact: www.buy1-give1free.com/index.php/contact-us

Indian courier service hires only deaf workers

Non-profit, Social cause Published on 16 March 2010 in Non-profit, Social cause

India has one of the largest deaf populations in the world, but social stigmas have eliminated many job opportunities for the roughly 6 percent of the population that is affected. Aiming to empower this isolated group economically, Mirakle Couriers is a service provider that hires only deaf workers.

Mirakle Couriers offers a pickup and delivery service in Mumbai. The company puts a heavy emphasis on the training of employees—right down to the finer points of professional grooming—and has grown dramatically since its late 2008 launch. Its client list now includes Johnson Controls, Bain Capital and the Indian Hotels Company, among many others.

Founded by former investment banker Dhruv Lakra, Mirakle Couriers stresses that it is "not a charity but a social business, where the social element is embedded in the commercial operations". The firm plans to expand beyond Mumbai to other cities and countries around the world. Social entrepreneurs hither and yon: time to get in touch...? (Related: Adventures for sighted and non-sighted travellers — Network for people with disabilities.)

Website: www.miraklecouriers.com
Contact: dhruv.lakra@miraklecouriers.com

Spotted by: Manoj Nahar

Prizes for academics who solve real-world problems

Education Published on 9 March 2010 in Education

We've seen the crowdsourcing contest model applied to everything from business documents to doughnut design. The latest spotting? One Billion Minds, a prize-led innovation platform that connects problem-solving scholars with solution-seeking companies and non-profits.

One Billion Minds challenges student and alumni crowds from universities worldwide to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems. Challenges range from designing a USD 1 teaching aid for the education of children to developing an innovative solution for the garbage disposal problem in Kolkata. Prizes from the participating corporations include cash, professional recognition, and opportunities to interview for full-time or internship positions. Members can compete as individuals or teams.

In public beta as of September 2009, One Billion Minds is on a mission to change the world by unleashing the power of a billion minds on challenges in the areas of design, engineering, science, business, technology and social innovation. Something to get involved in to make that happen? (Related: Crowdsourcing economic solutions for Ireland.)

Website: www.onebillionminds.com
Contact: general.inquiry@onebillionminds.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann 

Buy a bottle of wine and donate clean water

Food & Beverage Published on 2 March 2010 in Food & Beverage

Some 42,000 people die each week for lack of clean water, and the majority of them are children under 5 years old. Aiming to help alleviate this problem, online wine vendor CellarThief donates 100 days' worth of clean water for every bottle of wine it sells.

Launched earlier this year, California-based CellarThief sells only three wines on its site at any given time, and they're typically available for just 48 hours or until they sell out. All wines are hand-picked from world-class wineries by industry veterans, and CellarThief presents the story of each vintage as well as suggestions for food pairings. Prices are heavily discounted, CellarThief says, and shipping is USD 5 for any order of at least three bottles. Most interesting of all, however, is that the company has partnered with Charity: Water to provide clean water to those who need it. In addition to the donation made each time a bottle of wine is sold, further donations are made each time a wine sells out.

CellarThief's corporate generosity will surely please the discerning palates of the members of Generation G, who increasingly expect such benevolence in return for their business. Currently the company ships only within the continental United States. One to partner with or emulate for the ethically minded oenophiles near you? (Related: Pepsi asks crowds which community projects to fundBuy a onesie, donate one to a baby in needBuy one house, give one free.)

Website: www.cellarthief.com
Contact: info@cellarthief.com

Spotted by: Brent Samuels

Giving portfolio for donors aiming to make a big impact

Non-profit, Social cause Published on 26 February 2010 in Non-profit, Social cause

Earlier this month we wrote about Givv.org, a non-profit that allows donors to support all their favourite organisations from a single location and with a single monthly payment. Launched in January by GlobalGiving.co.uk, the Thousand Pound Club also facilitates one-stop giving, but is exclusively for donors willing to commit at least GBP 1,000 to support a personalised portfolio of well-vetted international charity projects.

Those wishing to join the Thousand Pound Club complete an online questionnaire detailing their interests, passions and charitable preferences. GlobalGiving then proposes a set of charitable projects to be supported through the applicant's "Giving Portfolio". Applicants review the portfolio, make changes to the selection if desired, and then activate it by sending in their donation cheque.

Members of the Thousand Pound Club can log in to their account to read regular email updates on the progress of their projects and find out exactly what a difference their donations are making. One to get involved in, or to emulate for a new model of major giving in your part of the world?

Website: www.globalgiving.co.uk/thousand-pound-club
Contact: sjeevan@globalgiving.co.uk

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