The Deshpande Foundation, a family foundation based in Massachusetts, would like to announce opportunities to pilot social entrepreneurship projects in India.
The Foundation is accepting concept papers from full-time students and faculty at the University of California- Berkeley that are participating in the Big Ideas@Berkeley program and who are interested in working within the Deshpande Foundation Sandbox of Northwest Karnataka for a period during the summer (8-10 weeks), or for an entire year-long project. The proposed projects should address intractable problems facing large populations and fall under one of the four areas that the Deshpande Foundation funds: agriculture/environment, health, education, and microcredit/livelihood.
The Deshpande Foundation Sandbox aims to provide significant resources to organizations functioning within a geographically defined area and who are addressing the world’s most complex issues. The Sandbox encircles the Northwest Karnataka districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttar Kannad, and Belgaum. The Deshpande Foundation provides grants to non-profit and non-governmental, US and India-based organizations that: empower people to participate in a global economy; use innovation as a means of creating opportunities and solving problems; help people live in harmony with the environment; and finally, improve the quality of life in Northwest Karnataka. Successful Sandbox programs, including the Akshaya Patra Foundation, have received assistance to scale their programs throughout India.
Applicants should submit a concept paper demonstrating a clear description of a project that would function in the Sandbox. A mission and vision for the future should be stated, as well reasons why this is an innovative and scalable solution. The concept paper should also include the steps that the project will take to get started, opportunities for volunteers/partnerships that it will need and a schedule of time in India.
After the application process, the Deshpande Foundation and the applicant will jointly decide on a timeline for project evaluation, identification of suitable NGO partners within the Sandbox, and the extent of assistance needed for logistical management.
Forms of assistance
The Deshpande Foundation will support the project with Sandbox staff members, assistance finding housing and transportation, and communication with our office. Additionally, there will be opportunities to meet other volunteers and organizations through activities and seminars composed by Deshpande Foundation.
Deadline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you are interested in receiving support for summer 2008, we would encourage you to submit a 2-3 page concept paper no later than April 1. Applications should be sent to bbbIndia@gmail.com