Microphilanthropy

Microphilanthropy is a model of philanthropy that is based on smaller, more direct interaction between those who are in need and those who can give.

Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective.

Muhammad Yunus a Bangladesh banker and economist had a vision of eliminating poverty. He believed that through the extension of small loans to poor people who can not qualify for regular loans they would be able to pull themselves from poverty to become self sustaining families giving back to the community. With this vision Microcredit was born and from Microcredit came the Grameen bank. The Grameen bank began changing lives for the poorest of the poor (mostly women) in Bangladesh.

While microcredit extends small collateral free loans to the needy, Microphilanthropy extends small donations or gifts with the same goal. To help people become able to help themselves and in turn become productive members of society giving back to the community.

The idea behind microphilanthropy can be best explained by example.

When one person has $10 to share and shares it with one person. It changes a situation for that one person. If that same person with $10 to share gives one dollar to ten different people it changes many more lives. If several people each share one dollar towards 10 people it means 10 people can have their needs met in a shorter time.