Microfinance, meet PayPal

Kiva is the first of two captivating websites for philanthropists, actual and potential, that caught our eye this month.

With last month's awarding of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize to the founder of Grameen Bank, microfinance received a huge boost. Now, there's a website that lets anyone with even modest resources become a venture philanthropist.

The organization is Kiva, a web-based service that connects would-be lenders with prescreened small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can sponsor an entrepreneur with a loan of as little as $25 and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence.

Transparency is key to Kiva's model. Throughout the repayment process (usually 6-12 months), you will receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back. So far, the site claims a repayment rate of 100%, but by definition there is always a risk of default.

Got 15 minutes to spare?

The second website we encountered deals with an even scarcer resource--time. Not only has the web made microfinance easier, it has also made volunteer service a breeze.

Charity Guide was established on the premise that "You're never too busy to make a difference." Whether you have 15 minutes, a few hours or a few days to spare, Charity Guide has a compelling idea for you. We love its user-friendliness.

Charity Guide has a goal of fostering 1 million acts of kindness each year. In the process, they've made excuses for not volunteering a lot harder to get away with.

New assignment:
Chief Financial Officer,
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

In just over 20 years, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has gone from start-up to international force in the fight against breast cancer. BoardWalk is pleased to have been asked to conduct the search for this $250-mm Foundation's first full-fledged Chief Financial Officer.

We're in the midst of discussions about the engagement with top management. Check the logo above for information on the Foundation itself. Drop us a note (info@boardwalkconsulting.com), and we'll send you the full Leadership Profile on this exciting assignment in early January.

New assignment:
Executive Director,
The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign works year-round to educate the public and to encourage voluntary efforts to improve air quality throughout the state of Georgia. To this end, CAC offers a variety of programs and services to employers, employees, schools and individuals, while also serving as a central resource for information and education.

Just before the holidays, BoardWalk was asked to lead the search for Clean Air Campaign's next executive director. Drop us a line or check our website in early January for a full write-up on the leadership opportunity in this impactful organization.

New assignment:
President
R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation

The R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation is a private family foundation committed to improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by supporting educational opportunities, improving access to health services, and promoting environmental stewardship. Established in 1959, the foundation serves as an active reminder of the breadth of Mr. Dobbs' community engagement throughout his long life.

BoardWalk has recently undertaken the search for the President of the Foundation. Stakeholder interviews are complete, and the Leadership Profile will be available shortly. Let us know by email or phone if you would like to know more about the opportunity.

Families First
Search Mandate: Vice President for Resource Development
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcomed.
(view Leadership Profile))

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
Search Mandate: President
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcomed.
(view Leadership Profile)

Genocide Intervention Network, Washington, DC
Search Mandate: Chief Operating Officer
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcomed. (view Leadership Profile)

Harvest Foundation, Martinsville, VA
Search mandate: Executive Director
Status: Offer extended, accepted and ratified by the board; announcement pending.
(view Leadership Profile)

Habitat for Humanity International, Atlanta & Americus, GA
Search Mandate: Vice President of Organizational Learning
Status: Offer extended, accepted and ratified; announcement pending. (view Leadership Profile)

Theater of the Stars
Search Mandate: Director of Development
Status: Prospects being developed; inquiries welcomed.
(view Leadership Profile)

Mandate: Board enrichment project
Status: Ongoing

New on the BoardWalk:
Senior Researcher Joan Schlachter

We are thrilled to welcome Joan Schlachter to the team of professionals who have chosen to devote themselves to "building strong foundations for nonprofits" ^SM at BoardWalk Consulting.

Joan has spent the last fifteen years supporting and conducting executive searches, over a decade of that time as a senior researcher in the Atlanta and Philadelphia offices of Heidrick & Struggles. Joan has a special passion for the not-for-profit sector, where her most recent service has been to clients in the healthcare arena.

She holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Georgia. In her spare time, Joan enjoys tennis, the arts and the other amenities that Atlanta has to offer.

She's also one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Please click on the pictures below to learn more about the consultants at BoardWalk.

Kim Anderson	Sam Pettway	Margaret Reiser

About smorgasBoard

smorgasBoard ^SM is the mostly-monthly newsletter of BoardWalk Consulting. Contents © 2006 by BoardWalk Consulting LLC. Dissemination and reproduction permitted with attribution to BoardWalk Consulting; all other rights reserved.

E-mail: sam@boardwalkconsulting.com
Telephone: 404-BoardWalk (404-262-7392)
On the Web: http://www.BoardWalkConsulting.com