About
Why CraneMe?
CraneMe is an aspiring nonprofit organization focused on providing aspiring entrepreneurs in developing countries with the necessary resources to stimulate a sustainable economic environment through the formation of businesses
What led to the birth of CraneMe?
In late-December 2014, Mouhamed Ndoye was in Canada to celebrate the New Year at Amadou Ndoye’s home in Montreal. On the eve of the New Year, a conversation with Amadou & Mouhamed led to the many frustrations associated with the dependency model created between immigrants sending money back home & family members receiving. Ironically, this was a case where good intentions resulted in an unintentional dependency model. What would happen if, God forbid, the immigrant lost his or her job? Would that ruin the financial situations for two different households?
Shortly after midnight on January 1 (2015), CraneMe was born.
How does CraneMe work?
Beginning in January 2016, CraneMe will select 25 aspiring entrepreneurs residing in a given developing country to participate in a CraneMe business program to be held every few months. The first CraneMe business program will start in Senegal (West Africa). Throughout the business program, aspiring entrepreneurs will be provided with mentors, educational sessions, & other resources to create a business.
Members of the CraneMe team will review every aspiring entrepreneur application to ensure that applicants are appropriate for the CraneMe business program.
Every CraneMe business program will begin with a weeklong orientation in the given developing country.
What does ‘CraneMe’ mean?
In many cultures, the crane (bird) symbolizes longevity and loyalty. Secondly, in 1955, Sadako Sasaki attempted to create one-thousand paper cranes after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds one-thousand paper cranes will be granted one wish by a crane. Lastly, a good indicator of a city’s economic progress is the presence of mechanical cranes.
Why are funds provided to aspiring entrepreneurs as interest-free loans?
Research indicates that aspiring entrepreneurs are more likely to take ownership in their businesses if they are held financially-accountable. Additionally, repayment of interest-free loans will help support local CraneMe Community Centers & initiatives within the country served.
How do aspiring entrepreneurs apply?
Any aspiring entrepreneur living within an area served by a CraneMe Community Center is welcome to apply.
What is a CraneMe mentor?
As a CraneMe mentor, you will visit the developing country & participate in the weeklong orientation before the CraneMe business program begins. During the orientation, you will engage & communicate with aspiring entrepreneurs through one-on-ones, group sessions, and other activities.
How do I become a CraneMe mentor?
Please apply to become a CraneMe mentor here!
When is the inaugural CraneMe business program?
The inaugural CraneMe business program will begin in January 2016 in Senegal (West Africa).
What is a CraneMe Community Center?
In every developing country touched by CraneMe, a CraneMe Community Center (CCC) will be established to serve as a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs during their enrollment in the CraneMe business program. The centers will be equipped with following:
- Access to mentors-in-residence
- Computer labs & printers
- Collaborative & educational discussions to exchange ideas
- Libraries for research
- Storage facilities
How will your donation be used?
- Kickstarter processing fees (5% Kickstarter fee, 3% + $0.20 per pledge, assuming 150 backers): $1230
- 501(c)3 formation fee: $850
- 501(c)3 legal fees: $2500
- Temporary CraneMe Community Center (year): $6000
- Rent: $3000
- Electricity: $1500
- Long distance & Internet services: $1500
- Administrative tools (stationery, printer/scanner, etc.): $1000
- Rewards and shipping: $970
- CraneMe marketing & branding: $1150
- Website enhancements (SEO, security fixes, faster load speeds, etc.): $1300
Risks and challenges
Let’s face it, the current format of charitable giving is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. For as long as you can remember, you have been able to sponsor that poor kid for ‘only thirty cents a day’. CraneMe facilitates crowdfunding and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs in
developing countries to stimulate sustainable economic growth. Billions of hard-earned US dollars are spent every year to financially-support people in developing countries through charity, which is great, but true humanitarianism lives in philanthropy.
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Support
Funding period
- (30 days)