Global Solidarity Fund: Overview

The Global Solidarity Fund / GSF is an incubator for individual donors who prefer a hands-on approach to philanthropy. Some call it "venture philanthropy" because it applies some of the methods of venture capital funds to donations--investments, if you will--in social projects. Time as well as money is invested. There is careful screening of potential "investee" organizations, and close scrutiny of operations and results.

Our interest is organizations in the U.S. and abroad whose educational, social, developmental, or health projects have been inspired by John Paul II. An investor willing to work at it picks any organization that fits that criterion, and donates $5,000 to it. Then, GSF helps him or her find other investors. This small group forms a Local Solidarity Fund whose pooled financial and professional contributions bring one or two investee organizations to a new level of effectiveness.