equity
Equity is at the center of our organization’s name, and is at the center of our focus. There are significant differences between the terms equality and equity, and in the English lexicon they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Properly delineating between the two requires much nuance and context, and we do not pretend to have all the answers. For us, we use a simple definition for each to help us narrow our focus:
Equality = treating everyone the same, and giving everyone access to the same opportunities
Equity = giving each individual what they need to be on equal footing with their peers
We believe that equality is a most noble goal, but it assumes that everyone is already in the same position to benefit equally from receiving universal treatment and access. Our experience is that this is not the case. So we instead strive to provide each individual with a tailored combination of support, resources, and guidance to help them to be on par with those around them - and to hopefully one day benefit from the goodness of equality.
communities
Trying to make a difference in an entire country can feel like trying to boil the ocean. We are a small organization and despite having lofty aspirations, we know our own limitations and strive to concentrate our efforts to more sizable populations and groups of people.
Communities are the foundation of human society, and we as humans derive a great sense of comfort and purpose by identifying with others like us. This sense of belonging is critical to our wellbeing, and can have powerful network effects. Whether it is a physical, geographical community - or a psychological or cultural community - we want to tap into those network effects and empower individuals to elevate their position and then in turn elevate the lives of multiple people around them.
individuals
No one knows a community better than someone who is a part of that community. All of the projects and scholarships we provide go directly to individuals because we believe it’s the best way for us to support and empower individuals who do understand by giving them the tools they need to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.
The tools we focus on at the individual level are educational scholarships and business grants to entrepreneurs and small, local businesses. We have found that this is where we have had the most impact, but we continue to remain open to new ideas that meet our core principles.