Benevolent.net aims to transform the way people in Silicon Valley give and receive support, bringing dignity and self-determination to both sides of the giving equation. The site uses a crowdfunding model to enable individuals to make micro-donations to help cover smaller needs that fall through gaps in the social safety net, such as eyeglasses, work uniforms, security deposits, and transit passes.
Living in Silicon Valley you know that for every Larry Ellison there are dozens of others struggling to survive from day to day. Benevolent presents the faces and details behind these stories, and asks our neighbors to help them out.
Some of the featured stories posted locally so far include:
... Lemia, a former foster child leaving a group home for her first apartment,
... Bryan, who was homeless but is now ready to take the aircraft mechanic's license test,
... Roya, a refugee from Iran who needs a bed for her growing daughter,
... and several more.
Individuals come to Benevolent through our local nonprofit partner agencies: groups like Good Karma Bikes, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), and Unity Care. Their case managers validate the needs and ensure that all donations are spent as promised in the postings.
You can learn more about Benevolent, and how you can help, by visiting the site at Benevolent.net.
