What opportunities can you create for aspiring entrepreneurs?

My passion and involvement with the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED) began in 2010, (originally known as the Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit-RAGM) and this engagement led me to think about how I could better support the creation of opportunities to improve the lives of people in underserved communities. Participating in travel to various countries, I have worked with Rotarians and other organizations on due diligence visits for the implementation of microfinance operations. 

 

On one visit to rural Bangladesh, I met a client from Grameen Bank after a group lending meeting. This woman wanted to share her story that ten years earlier, she was a beggar on the streets with nothing to her name other than the clothes on her back.  Upon hearing about Grameen Bank and their loans to help aspiring entrepreneurs, she acted.  Ten years later, this entrepreneur now has a small home to support her daughter; owned a milking cow; sells the milk daily in her community; and she had sufficient funds to buy another cow. 

 

But it was something she told me which has stayed in my mind over the years.  She said, “what I have today is only because of one person who gave me an opportunity”.  She was speaking of Muhammad Yunus, who is the founder of Grameen Bank, providing small loans to beggars at no interest.

 

With that in mind, I decided to act myself and see what opportunities I could create for aspiring entrepreneurs.  Based on research, I decided The Rotary Foundation was the way to go with a Named Endowed Fund to provide support for global grants in the Community Economic development (CED) area of focus.

 

Why The Rotary Foundation?  Because they, along with their members, work to strengthen local entrepreneurs, particularly women, in impoverished communities.  They create opportunities to help people thrive financially and socially.  And they have a positive impact on economies.

 

If I can do this, why could you not consider an Endowment to support your passion of Community Economic Development?  I was invited to join the Rotary Community Economic Development Major Gifts Initiative Committee (CED-MGI) as of July 1, 2021.  As your Canadian member for this Committee, I am available to speak with you about how you can establish your own personal legacy of service and providing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.  Please reach out to me at jvlrotary@gmail.com.

 

Jim Louttit

PDG, District 7070

Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise

Member, Community Economic Development Major Gifts Initiative Committee 2021-2023

 

The Rotary Foundation named endowments are established with a gift of US $25,000 or more. Rotarians or friends of Rotary may create a permanent legacy in their own name or in honor of a friend or family member. Rotary pools these gifts for investment purposes but maintains a separate accounting for each named endowed fund. Donors receive a personalized endowed fund certificate suitable for framing when their fund is established, as well as annual financial updates.  www.Rotary.org/en/rotary-endowment