Yesterday evening, Chicago’s tech and startup community came out in force for Built In Chicago’s first monthly meetup at Rockit in River North. Here at Benevolent (www.benevolent.net) we were pleased to be invited to be one of five startups to present to the assembled crowd. Alongside excellent local startups Weatherist, Favo.rs, Venue Cricket, and Found in Town, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of community and collegiality.
As someone who might easily feel like an outsider to the startup culture – I’m a nonprofit leader, not a tech person, and did not aspire to be an entrepreneur – I was impressed with the variety of backgrounds and expertise across the crowd. To a person, everyone was eager to connect, positive about one-another’s work, and ready with contacts and ideas.
Having the opportunity to present about Benevolent was a treat. For those readers not already aware of our Chicgao-area startup, we’ve launched a crowd-giving platform tailored to meet the one-time needs of people in low-income circumstances who are facing a hurdle or challenge.
Benevolent creates a community in many the same ways that Built in Chicago builds community. Each of the people with needs posted on our site has a vision and a plan and needs support and resources to get there. As entrepreneurs, we should all understand that fully – we rely on one another and on the good will of those who believe in us to make things happen. Last night’s event was testament to that.
I spoke last night about Al, whose need was recently fully funded through the benevolent.net site. Al worked as a high-end waiter for over a decade before stumbling personally and reaching what he called “rock-bottom.” Back on track now, Al has received help from Inspiration Corporation on Chicago’s north side and is now ready to jump back into the workforce, but he was blocked by one simple thing. Al would need a tuxedo to work in the job offered to him – as a banquet waiter. Over the course of about a month, thirteen people contributed to meeting Al’s need – a total of $460. Now, through the partnership between Benevolent and Inspiration – one of our nonprofit partners - Al will get his Tux and head back to work.
So, I want to thank the Built in Chicago community for all the excellent feedback, good wishes and ideas for Benevolent’s success. We hope that we can thrive and take this platform from the Chicago pilot stage to the entire country. Our success would demonstrate clearly that sometimes it takes a whole community to boost you on to the next level – whether you’re person needing help to eclipse a low-income situation or a new social venture needing help as you strive to help others.
- megan kashner, LCSW, MBA
founder & ceo
