Benevolent Goes Global: Crowdfunding Platform Expands Its Financial Support Network to International Needs
Digital Nonprofit To Support Low-Income Individuals Worldwide
EVANSTON, Ill., June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Benevolent has launched and piloted its innovative giving platform (www.benevolent.net) in the U.S. and today announces its international expansion, providing donors the opportunity to support striving low-income individuals from around the world.
Benevolent is a digital nonprofit that brings dignity and self-determination to both sides of the giving equation, illuminating the realities of life on the edge of sustainability. The organization's platform invites us to listen to the stories of low-income individuals who are striving to eclipse poverty and enables us give to help people overcome hurdles related to education, housing, employment and more. By inviting everyday donors to help one person overcome one specific challenge, Benevolent leverages the powerful combination of self-determination, personal connection, and small individual donations.
Megan Kashner first founded Benevolent in 2011 when she recognized gaps in the resources that providers can leverage for the families they serve. Small but critical things like work gear, bus passes, technology, simple car repairs, certifications, and beds often can't be funded by the typical nonprofit program. Since its launch, Benevolent has helped over 750 people and their families reach important goals by connecting them with thousands of donors from across the globe.
Professional helpers of all kinds sign up to use Benevolent to help their clients. These professionals — from social workers to college counselors, employment specialists, pastors, and more — use Benevolent to invite the people they serve to tell their own stories and ask for help facing a challenge specific to their life circumstances.
"Benevolent's caring donors recognize themselves in the stories of people striving to reach their goals," said Megan Kashner, Benevolent's CEO and Founder. "Everyone has a story of a time when someone's generosity helped them persevere. Our donors are happy to be of help and to pay forward the help they received. Now they'll be happy to help people across continents as well."
A new international partner, Beyond Fistula, serves women in Kenya as they rebuild their lives after surgery. Christine Fox, Beyond Fistula's Program Manager explains: "Our partnership with Benevolent is helping us empower the women who complete our programs so they can establish small businesses or return to college for further education."
By opening up its platform to international markets, Benevolent aims to continue to change the way each of us thinks about and responds to individuals facing economic hardship, one small gift at a time.
SOURCE Benevolent
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