Giveindia.org
Description
GiveIndia.org is a donation platform that allows donors to support a cause of their choice from a choice of hundreds of NGOs in India that have been scrutinized for transparency and credibility. This way, the GiveIndia website intends to play the role of a “philanthropy marketplace”. The website makes its listed members (NGOs) to release key financial and operational details to be shared with investors (donors) who can then make an informed decision on their social investments. Donors are provided with a range of convenient payment options to make their donations and provided with a tax-deduction receipt. In about 3-4 months’ time, GiveIndia reverts to the donor with a feedback report informing them about how their money was utilized. GiveIndia.org has been able to bring about a social change in terms of demand for and supply of contribution. The concept of donation in India faces various challenges because of lack of transparency and corruption. The use of technology-enabled solutions and an online model for donations and sharing information allows the costs to remain low and ensure at least 90 per cent of a donor’s contribution reaches the seeking organization (as against an average of 60 per cent for the NGO sector). The best part is that the amount of money that is donated is a non-issue; it is the contribution that counts.
What we deliver
Users from anywhere in the world can see the details of over 100 NGOs working in India. GiveIndia provides donors with an organizational profile, financial information of the NGO, details of the governance of the NGO and stories of change that the NGO has brought about. All of this content gives the donor a chance to make an informed decision of where he wants his money to go and what impact he wants it to have. Sharing this content in a public forum also puts pressure on the NGO to be transparent in their operations. Donors can search for donation options by various causes such as education, child welfare, disabled, woman empowerment, etc. Donors are provided with multiple payment options including credit cards, online banking and cheque/DD. Tax payers in India, US and UK get a tax-deduction e-receipt immediately after making their donation which enables them to claim a tax rebate on their returns. In addition after a period 3-4 months, donors receive a feedback report detailing how their money was utilized.
Why is the project unique?
GiveIndia.org has been able to demonstrate that technology can be used to bring about social change. It has been able to demonstrate that being transparent pays off. The norms for listing on the GiveIndia site are being adopted by more non-profits in India and just being listed on GiveIndia is allowing the non-profits to raise money from sources other than GiveIndia It is potentially the only entity where donors can choose from amongst 100+ NGOs, 500+ donation options and donate as low as Rs. 500 (USD 12) and receive a feedback report for their donation. Finally, the organization has gone from concept to a stage where it is on the verge of being self-sustaining institution.
Roadmap
Technology should be leveraged to reduce costs and increase access across masses. Mobile penetration in India has been increasing at a rapid pace and given the current tele-density it yet has huge potential for increase. The development sector should aim to grasp these trends in technology being adopted by the masses to be able to reach out to them instead of expecting the masses to come to where they are. In that respect all NGOs can be assisted in building a common platform or common service to lower their costs as well as leverage on the best available technology and minds to build such a medium.
Contact
GiveIndia.org
3rd Floor, West Khetwadi Municipal School, Khetwadi lane No.5
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
400004
