Distinctiveness of the
Concept
Selection & Manage
Unlike traditional foundations
that publicise their grant giving criteria and then await applications,
Smile adopts the converse approach: Through its strong network,
it actively seeks organization and developmental endeavors that
can benefit from its funding, hand-holding and after an extensive
research on their capabilities and genuineness; it lends support
to them.
Grassroots initiatives
Smile embodies the principles
of venture capitalism as it embarks on supporting genuine grassroots
level initiatives rather than established NGOs, just as venture
capital firms funds innovative business ideas and promotes a culture
of excellence and leadership amongst partner non – profits,
who can in turn support other pioneering individual efforts in their
development initiatives. In the process, playing the role of a mother
NGO.
Performance
Mission Education applies successful
venture capital techniques such as better risk management and ways
of gauging recipient’s performance in order to inculcate a
sense of accountability and responsibility amongst the smaller NGOs
to ensure that the funds raised in the name of charity are employed
in the right manner.
Rather than just giving money and waiting for an eventual report
on how it was spent, smile Foundation embarks on playing an ongoing
role in helping the NGO attain its goals.
Criteria
Usually for an NGO to obtain
funds, it has be operational for a period of three years. But that’s
not the criteria at Smile.
We
believe in supporting grassroots level NGOs who dare to dream and
at the same time have the inclination to make a difference to society.
When we implement a project, we assess institutional commitment,
need of the area, duration of support and financial assistance,
along with quantity /quality of deliverable and its likely impact.
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