Upaya's proven to be one of the most cost-effective poverty alleviation interventions: it costs $250 to create a job with dignity for someone living in extreme poverty. Not a grant, not a handout, but an enduring job with a startup in India. Top-flight leadership, stellar staff mainly in Bangalore, highest ethics and dedication to impact measurement.
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I met Sachi Shenoy, the co-founder, when I was traveling to Seattle to work at another nonprofit. I was so impressed with her and with Upaya's promise that I became an early donor about five years ago. I was really pleased that Upaya was able to take every $500 gift of mine and turn it into a job that lifted someone from ultra-poverty to a job with dignity. They have found a truly effective way to accelerate economic growth and individual dignity. Then when Kate Cochran, a former colleague and one of the people I admire most in the world, became CEO, I was honored to join the board.
I was introduced to Upaya by a friend a few years ago. In the Seattle area, the philanthropic community is large with many nonprofits focused on India. It can sometimes be hard to determine which nonprofits to allocate ones donations to but with Upaya's strong management, and strong results and visible impact on the lives of rural entrepreneurs, Upaya is always at the top of my list of nonprofits to support!
Anita