65: Becky Straw & How To Do Meaningful Work That Impacts The World

Becky Straw is the Co-Founder and Chief Adventurist for The Adventure Project, a new nonprofit “adding venture” capital to support entrepreneurs in developing countries. Her and her co-founder were inspired by a passion to revolutionize giving, and create a movement to marry good intentions with measurable impact. Becky was 29-years-old when they launched. In their first four years, The Adventure Project has engaged 6,000 Americans to help create 894 jobs in India, Kenya, Uganda and Haiti. Those entrepreneurs will go on to serve over one million people to better health care, food and water. Their goal is to create one million jobs in the next ten years.  Prior to The Adventure Project, Becky spent three years helping to launch the nonprofit, charity: water and graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s in International Social Welfare. Becky is also the recipient of this years Diane von Furstenberg People’s Voice Award for female founders making a difference.    In this episode Becky shares: - how to launch a nonprofit with $4,000  - why to jump in w/ faith when dealing with obstacles/rejection  - how to ask for help  - how to fundraise from grassroots supporters - how / why she decided to start a nonprofit focused on jobs  - how to be sure you are creating impactful change in the world - why jobs are critical to ending extreme poverty World Food Day is today - Friday, October 16th - we're asking for supporters to specifically support farmers, with a $5,000 matching gift challenge!  Did you know most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa don’t grow enough to feed their families? I know, it’s crazy. But, when they are able to buy an irrigation pump, everything changes.  One irrigation pump can lift a farmer and his family out of poverty and into the middle class in only one harvest. On average, each farmer grows enough to sell produce to 77 community members, and earns enough to send one child to school for the first time.   We're joining forces with The Adventure Project to raise money to support farmers in developing countries. You can make a contribution here -- anything helps! www.adriennedorison.com/adventureproject