process of desk based research moving on to extensive discussions on the phone through meetings. Then we actually make a stage where we make a field visit. Based on this assessment which is very critical aspect of our due diligence process; we take a call whether we should put up this organisation through our investment committee process or not. The next step is to define the purpose of funding, the measurement metrics and present it to the
We get reviewed by Edelweiss on a quarterly
Challenges A not so conventional CSR initiative is bound to have its own share of challenges. EdelGive confronted many obstacles. In fact most came
basis and we follow a strict disciplined approach in our day to day functioning”, says Aditi.
from the organisations themselves. “It was difficult for the non-profit organisations to understand that we weren't just pure funders for
Future plans
them. To convince them that unlike most donors
EdelGive has a well charted out plan of action
we are going to be around and work closely
for the next five years until 2016. Aditi says, “We
with them is a task in itself”, says Aditi.
have an ambitious plan for 2016 of being a
investment committee. It's a layered process
100-crore platform. We will leverage money
where we also identify the key risks involved
through corporates, international organisations,
and list down the mitigation strategies.
and individual donors getting them to invest in
Checking balance sheets, annual reports,
The journey so far
the entrepreneurs and non-profits we believe
EdelGive is a relatively new name in the CSR
in. Apart from this we want to look inwards,
management team are some of the things that
initiatives being only two and half years old.
become better, evaluate and monitor our
impact our decision process.”
Working on a new foundation with a fresh team
processes and forge strategic partnerships
and starting from scratch is not just challenging
and networks.”
doing web based research, meeting the core
but extremely exciting and demanding. Aditi says, “Last two and a half years have been the
The criteria
Having found their own unique methodology of
real journey. We have learnt and innovated
bringing the venture capitalism strength to the
- Key management team
every day, and unlike other organisations that
social sector, EdelGive Foundation has paved
- Are these organizations hungry for growth?
come with baggage, we had to set up systems
a new way for other organisations to conduct
- Are they hungry to expand, grow and scale?
and process from scratch.”
their corporate social responsibility initiatives
- Are they looking to engage with us on a non-financial level?
With limited budgets, the team strives to work
- Do they fall in our sectors?
with discipline and is conscious of how they
- Are they really thinking about systemic impact
manage their finances. “We function like any
not just individual and community impact? - Are they game changers and innovative?
other line of business. We have KRA's as our review mechanisms, key performance indicators.
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