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Why An Ivy League MBA Went Back To Ghana To Help A Pineapple Farm

Amy Yee

December 08, 2017 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana

Investment in African agriculture has wide-ranging impact because the industry provides 60 percent of employment in the continent. Injaro, founded by an investment banker, is a private equity fund that seeks to invest in African businesses. Injaro’s funds have helped to make Gold Coast Fruits one of Ghana’s largest employers and have helped revive a struggling pineapple farm. The steady investments have improved productivity as Gold Coast Fruits now produces up to 50 tons of pineapple.

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The Philanthropy World Is Embracing Impact Investing

Ben Paynter

June 05, 2017 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

The resources needed to tackle some of the world's most pressing social and environmental problems - from poverty to climate change to inequality - are generally far beyond the reach of governments and traditional philanthropies. Fortunately, the private sector is taking an increasing role in social entrepreneurship through the practice of impact investing. Organizations and individuals alike are investing funds into meaningful, scalable projects that are generally proven to also provide a return; a win-win for everyone that generates sustainable change.

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Turning Haiti's Plastic Trash into Cash

Gemma Newby Sahar Zand

May 23, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Haiti, Cap-Haïtien, Department of Nord

Eight million metric tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean every year, including in Haiti where it litters the beaches and causes sanitation issues. A social entrepreneur from Executives Without Borders partnered with Haiti Recycling to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and sustainably monetize the collecting and recycling of plastic waste through a new organization, Ramase Lajan. When oil prices tanked and the recycling centers struggled to maintain a profit, social enterprise Thread stepped in to take up the plastic, turning it into fabric to make socially responsible goods for sale.

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To fight poverty in Africa, a new-old solution: cash handouts

Ryan Lenora Brown

December 11, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Lesotho, Maseru

The approach of giving cash straight to poor people - rather than funneling goods or services indirectly through the slow, diluted, and complex systems of charities or governments - is nothing new, but evidence of long-term success and sustainability are few. That's why many NGOs and governments are now coupling cash transfers with more comprehensive programs such as job training and financial counseling, as well as addressing some of the root causes that keep people poor, like lack of infrastructure and market access.

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Big Bet Philanthropy: How More Givers Are Spending Big And Taking Risks To Solve Society's Problems

Kerry A. Dolan

November 30, 2016 |

Forbes |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

For the superrich and the biggest U.S. charitable foundations, donating to universities, hospitals and cultural institutions is the norm. Less common are donations targeted at "social change" such as alleviating poverty or tackling global warming - but that is beginning to change. An in-depth study from the Bridgespan Group is showing how big bets in philanthropy are paying off, as well as what factors - such as a close donor-recipient relationship - are key to success.

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Want To Serve The World's Poorest Citizens? Take Your Company Public In India

Nish Acharya

May 03, 2016 |

Forbes |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai

There is a substantial argument for increased involvement of private companies in venture philanthropy. Unlike large government bodies and NGOs, private companies are more nimble and experienced when it comes to strategies in marketing, R&D, creating pricing structures, and adapting to rapid social change. Three companies in India are seeing real results by serving India's poorest customers with a market-based approach.

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For Students With a Mission, a Little Capital Goes a Long Way

Tina Rosenberg

September 11, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cambridge, Massachusetts

At a time when university students lack opportunities and financial help to test their innovative business ideas, the Resolution Project supports higher education students who have ideas for socially responsible businesses and charities. Resolution offers small awards to start businesses as well as mentor opportunities that enable networking and business collaboration with experts.

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New data reveals which approach to helping the poor actually works

Dean Karlan

June 17, 2015 |

Reuters |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia, Korom

For years, policymakers have debated different approaches to helping the poor , but new data offers resounding evidence for a strategy that works: an approach known as a “Graduation” program. This method offers participants a “productive asset” to generate income with training on how to use it, as well as the resources (such as healthcare, food, loans, and coaching) to maintain the asset while building a pathway out of poverty.

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How one rural Alabama hospital bucked the trend and will reopen its labor & delivery

Anna Claire Vollers

May 27, 2015 |

AL.com (Alabama Media Group) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alabama

Rural areas are seeing the shut down of medical services such as Labor & Delivery units, making it harder for expectant mothers to receive proper care. Dr. Waits in Bibb County is opening a Labor & delivery unit through critical funding, and using the unit for more than just obstetrics.

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In Lieu of Money, Toyota Donates Efficiency to New York Charity

Mona El-Naggar

July 26, 2013 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Instead of following the traditional corporate model of financial philanthropy, Toyota gave its engineers to the Food Bank for New York City: trained in "kaizen" (Japanese for “continuous improvement). The engineers analyzed and improved the Food Bank's distribution systems, greatly increasing the Bank's efficiency and effectiveness in its anti-hunger efforts. By sharing the business model which made its own business thrive, Toyota's partnership with the city demonstrates how public-private collaboration provides a self-reliant, sustainable solution.

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