Benny, a part-time restaurant worker, was forced into homelessness when the restaurant he was working for suddenly shut down. Unable to pay rent, he found himself on the streets with his meager belongings. The choice was between keeping a roof over his head or getting two meals a day. “I felt very lonely – all by myself on the streets, begging people for food and clothing,” says Benny. “People started treating me like I wasn’t human.” Project Homeless Connect is a micro charity that provides basic services like haircuts, foot washing, dental care, and reading glasses to people like Benny. It’s an example of the powerful local impact that micro charities have.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Council of Non Profits, 97% of charities in the US have annual budgets under $5 million, and most are even smaller. These “small” organizations are vital, filling gaps and connecting services, addressing welfare issues left by agencies and large organizations. These micro charities have long been a pillar of support, catering to specific needs and utilizing networks to stabilize and advocate at a local level. However, many of them struggle to provide consistent services. There is a big disparity between big and small charities when it comes to funding. And this gap is only growing larger over time.
In recent years, we have seen a noticeable shift in donor preferences and philanthropic practices. Entities are choosing larger charities that are more visible and recognizable. Micro charities often do not have the resources and expertise to meet compliance requirements to ensure appropriate use of funds. Scaling of operations is a big challenge, limited personnel, infrastructure, and technology resources can hinder their ability to expand their reach and impact.
When a micro charity shuts down, it can leave vulnerable sections of the society without the support they once relied on. This result is reduced access to essential services, and increased societal inequalities and a loss of community engagement.
Generative AI, the Great Equalizer
There are trillions of dollars in grants and funding programs available for charitable organizations. However, the charities are not often aware of the funds available and how to secure them. With AI-powered tools, micro charities can now discover grants that are earmarked for their specific cause, region, or population. They can also use AI to maximize their likelihood of success. This ensures that they have a strong, reliable source of funding.
I am privileged to be associated as an advisor with the Good Work Hub – a visionary company founded by ex-Cisco executive Kimone Gooden. The company’s mission is to use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to enable micro charities to scale better and effectively adapt to changing circumstances.
Introducing: Good Work Hub
Good Work Hub is a comprehensive platform to help micro charities streamline daily operations, match with volunteers, and uncover funding opportunities from private donors as well as institutional grants.
It leverages AI technologies such as machine learning and generative AI to equip micro charities with the tools they need to function on par with larger charitable organizations. Using Good Work Hub, charities can obtain real-time, tailored insights on how well they match specific funding opportunities. It also simplifies and personalizes grant discovery and applications, thereby helping charities increase their success rates and secure sustainable funding that has historically been out of reach.
The platform enables even the smallest charities to break through traditional barriers and expand their impact, enabling them to serve their communities more effectively.
Philanthropy Tech is fast emerging as the next frontier for Silicon Valley entrepreneurs passionate about giving back. Technology Association of Grantmakers identified excellence in grantmaking, staff collaboration, nonprofit digital transformation, technology adoption, and AI-driven data governance as the five most important trends for 2024. We now have Good Work Hub – a company that is poised to be a game changer by delivering it all!
