1% For Women is more than just a campaign, it is an opportunity to create lasting change.
Buena Vista, CO (PRWEB) May 05, 2014
It has been called many things – paying it forward, the ripple effect, investing in the future – but it has been proven that making microcredit loans to women to help them maintain a stable income for their family enables their ability to raise happier, healthier children. Why women? Women will reinvest about 80% of their income in food, housing, clothing, medicine and education for their families, compared to 30% by men. This not only benefits their own families, but also boosts their local economy through the purchases of food and other items the women buy with their earnings.
Indiegogo supports paying it forward through their crowdfunding campaign for 1% for Women, a company founded by Laurie Benson to support local artists and to help fund small loans for women around the world with cottage industries. Individuals can make contributions to the campaign, of course, but the big focus is on inviting businesses to invest 1% of their net profits in funds for microloans. The loans are managed through Kiva, and are paid back over 12 to 18 months depending on the terms of the loan. When the money is paid back it is either reinvested in the program or put into the community from where it originated, allowing businesses to double down on their investment and ability to make lasting change.
The 1% for Women crowdfunding venture is a flexible fund – which means that the money is retained and used, even if their goal of $42,000 is not reached. Be sure to check out the video of Laurie Benson explaining the incredible impact of this campaign on their Indiegogo site.
The crowd funding campaign offers perks at many different levels of support. Whether you can offer $5 or $500 to keep this organization moving forward, for your donation you will receive everything from bumper stickers, t-shirts to coffee and hand-made earrings from one of their online artists.
For Mother's Day in particular they are offering a perk at the $50 donation level. For $50, 1% For Women will send both you and your mother a bumper sticker and a pound of fair trade, organic coffee from one of their 1% Businesses, the Buena Vista Roastery.
The tangible prizes are not the greatest reward for contributing to this crowdfunding venture. In a very real sense, you are helping create a better tomorrow. Children raised in households where women are earning a steady income grow up to be healthier, better educated individuals, making a positive impact on future of us all. Their increased quality of life and education, helps them become better able to earn a good living, starting the desired ripple effect for creating a better global economy.
Laurie Benson’s inspiration for creating 1% for Women is her daughter, Grace. When Grace was 8 years old, she asked her mother, “Is the world going to die before I do?” Benson, who had been working for years in the climate change world, realized the heaviness she was bringing to her family and decided in that moment that she wanted to do something to make a positive difference starting today. Shortly after this conversation she was given the book, Half the Sky and knew that microcredit loans were where she wanted to put her energy, creating incredible opportunities for other women around the world.
Overall, this campaign is the epitome of what true crowdfunding is all about – many individuals giving a little so that an organization can grow and create true change for all.
About 1% for Women:
http://www.onepercentforwomen.com is an online store featuring the work of women artists and small craftspersons. They sell such diverse items as organic products, art work and jewelry. The proceeds from the sales support the artists, helping them have a year-round income. One percent of the sales goes toward making microloans to women. Each month, a woman who has received a loan is featured on the website.