One of the most exciting, and ever-changing industries in the world is the charity industry. As social website, health, welfare and other problems continue to evolve, the dedicated organisations who work diligently to alleviate these pressures have to adapt quickly. Charities have been seeking disruptive innovation and change to help ensure positive outcomes for millions around the world. The most innovative charities have adapted their core business design, processes and methodologies to ensure they can succeed and help even more people around them. For a look at some of the world’s most innovative charities and their work, use this easy guide.
Acumen
Acumen is one of the most innovative charities in the world because of its unique approach to tackling poverty. Rather than donating funds to individuals or simply getting others to donate to charities in India, Acumen supports the individuals and businesses who employ people in poverty. Acumen invests in leaders, businesses or ideas that will generate employment opportunities in critical areas. Their efforts so far have contributed over 58,000 jobs. This kind of innovative approach to charity work has helped create long term security for so many individuals, that simple donation cannot do.
Rippleworks
One of the hardest outcomes to achieve as a charity organisation seeking genuine social change in the world is the ability to grow. It can be difficult to gain investment from those willing to part ways with the significant amounts of money required to scale. Rippleworks is a unique charity that has an innovative solution to this challenge. Rippleworks partners the social change agents around the world with the talents of executive partners. These executive partners help design strategy, offer financial acumen and bring a level of expertise that isn’t often seen in a social change initiative. The results speak for themselves, with many incredible outcomes achieved already including drinking water solutions, to sanitary system installs.
Kiva
Kiva does charitable giving but with an innovative spin, you get your money back. Kiva is a charity that is designed to connect people who need money to pursue their idea or opportunity with people seeking to help someone out with a loan. This unique approach to crowdfunding has seen tremendous growth and success, with many entrepreneurs being able to pay their lenders back. One of the best aspects of Kiva is that for a small sum, you can help someone’s dream come true, or help them build the idea that’s been living in their mind for who knows how long. This kind of social connection has been a hit with individuals looking to help out with more than just a quick dollar in the donation tin.
Scope
Social media is a powerful tool for the reach and creative dissemination of a message. Scope uses this knowledge in very innovative ways to help raise awareness of their work and create conversations about the disability sector. Through innovative partnerships with key businesses like Buzzfeed and Reddit, Scope has used existing audience equity to bring attention to their work and those they help. It’s a unique and innovative way to change the tone and messaging for disability into the future.
Give Directly
Utilising two of the core components of innovation, experimentation and disruption, Give Directly is giving evidence-based innovation to the world. Rather than providing money to charities to purchase food or supplies for poverty-stricken people, Give Directly did just that, they gave the people money directly. No intermediaries or third parties, just donors and those who need it. The result is money flowing to those who need it, and it is used for what’s necessary. It hasn’t caused economic ramifications, slowed job growth, instead, it has boosted the economy. This simple disruption and experiment have shown a pathway forward for more innovation to long-standing charitable structures.
Charities have long been plagued by challenges like high overheads, international relations and ensuring the aid is provided to those who need it most. As the future evolves before our eyes, many charities have challenged existing ideas of what a donate charity is designed to do. These innovative charities have changed the game for the better, and continue to inspire others to do the same.