Nonprofit Startup Benevolent Announces Expansion Plans to East and West Coast at White House Forum on Philanthropy Innovation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Megan Kashner, founder and CEO of Benevolent (www.benevolent.net) announced a major, multi-city expansion of its innovative approach to one-to-one giving.  Kashner made this announcement in a presentation during a day-long forum on innovation in philanthropy sponsored by the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

"I am excited to announce that we are going national, starting with needs posted to benevolent.net from Los Angeles and new partnerships forged this week with nonprofits in Washington, DC. We know there are a lot of people in need in those cities, and Benevolent is stepping forward to transform the way donors, recipients and nonprofits come together to help those who are facing a hurdle along their way to reaching their goals," said Kashner, who describes herself as a social worker with an MBA. Kashner and the Benevolent team have been piloting the interactive funding concept across the Chicago area for several months.

"This is our first major step outside Chicago," said Kashner, as she addressed the group of national philanthropy leaders, "and it would not be possible without the partnership of local nonprofit partners and everyday donors who have emerged from across the nation. Benevolent makes it possible for each of us to step in and help when someone needs it most. I'm looking forward to when this transformation touches every community in the U.S."

Benevolent's first national need posted today comes from L.A. nonprofit, PATH, a well-established agency serving individuals across Southern California, offering transitional housing for individuals and families and providing services to lead them from homelessness to stability. 

"PATH is excited to be teaming up with Benevolent as their first national partner.  At PATH, our goal is to help 3,000 people make it home over the next three years. Benevolent provides the perfect platform for our community to rally around our homeless neighbors and support them as they began the next chapter in their lives," says PATH CEO Joel John Roberts.

The national expansion began with PATH in Los Angeles posting two needs today including Aswad, a homeless veteran seeking help with furniture for his new apartment.

More about Benevolent

Benevolent (www.benevolent.net) is a groundbreaking nonprofit that utilizes a social media model to connect people who face hurdles along their paths to stability with those who want to help. Unlike traditional giving opportunities, Benevolent provides a platform for choice and direct personal giving, coupled with the security of a trusted validation process.

Through a crowd-giving model, Benevolent allows low-income adults with one-time needs, donors and community nonprofits to collaborate and communicate in overcoming poverty-based challenges, one person at a time. Individuals tell their own stories, with dignity and pride in their accomplishments and plans, leaving pity and shame behind. Benevolent connects three main components in the giving equation: prospective donors to funnel funds to a specific need, individuals in need, and local nonprofits that validate the needs and fulfill them.

Kashner, Founder & CEO of Chicago-based nonprofit Benevolent (www.benevolent.net), is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 20 years of strategic management, community partnership building and organizational planning experience. For more information about Benevolent, or to schedule an interview with Founder and CEO Megan Kashner, please contact Aleca Tesseris Sullivan: 847.231.2353 / [email protected].

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SOURCE Benevolent