Smart Risks: How Small Grants are Helping to Solve Some of the World's Biggest Problems

ISBN 10: 1853399310 / ISBN 13: 9781853399312

Published by Practical Action Publishing, 2017

About this Item

Print on Demand pp. 186.

Seller Inventory # 400028460

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Smart Risks: How Small Grants are Helping to Solve Some of the World's Biggest Problems
• Publisher: Practical Action Publishing
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1853399310
• ISBN 13: 9781853399312
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

As never before, international aid is in the hands of ordinary people. Concerned citizens in wealthy countries are starting philanthropy groups, joining giving circles, and travelling internationally to lend support. Yet, they are torn between the feelings that ‘something’ must be done about global poverty and that foreign assistance is creating dependency and fueling corruption overseas. A growing community of international small grant-makers know how to find and fund effective grassroots initiatives. Compared to donor-controlled, large-scale, project-based international aid funding, small grant-makers use the concept of ‘smart risks’ to build upon existing human and social capital and to make a lasting changes in people’s lives. Smart Risks brings together the wisdom of experts with wide-ranging experience within the development sector. Their contributions focus on five guiding question, such as ‘who is a smart risk?’ and ‘what is your role in smart risks?’ They include case studies, personal stories of lessons learned over time, provocative insights on power and privilege, and practical frameworks for choosing, investing in, and measuring the impact of grassroots organizations and movements. This book is essential reading for all those who wonder how their donations and work can make a difference in developing countries – from aid agency staff and policy makers, to globally engaged individuals.

About the Author

Jennifer Lentfer is Director of Communications, Thousand Currents and creator of the blog, how-matters.org; 
Tanya Cothran is Executive Administrator of Spirit in Action International in California.