The Power of Community and Crowd Granting with Emily Rasmussen
In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline interviews Emily Rasmussen, founder of Grapevine, a crowd-granting platform. With over 10 years of experience in financing for impact, nonprofit, and social enterprise leadership, Emily shares her diverse background and how it led her to create Grapevine. From her time as a professional ballet dancer to her work in developing microfinance programs in India, Emily's journey showcases the non-linear path that entrepreneurs can take in building their businesses. Tune in to learn more about Emily's impressive background and the work she is doing with Grapevine.
Listen in as we speak about:
Financing for impact
The impact of giving circles
Scaling your business in a mindful sustainable way
And much, much, more!
Financing for impact
Grapevine is a digital platform that facilitates giving circles. It allows individuals to join or create giving circles focused on specific causes, interests, or industries. Members of these giving circles contribute funds, and Grapevine ensures that the money is distributed to vetted, high-impact nonprofit organizations. The platform also provides a community space for members to connect, share resources, and collaborate on initiatives.
What sets Grapevine apart is its approach to community and accessibility. While there are giving circles on the platform that require a financial contribution, Grapevine also allows individuals to participate in the community without giving. This inclusivity opens up opportunities for people to connect with like-minded individuals and engage in meaningful conversations and actions around the causes they care about.
The impact of giving circles
Grapevine members have raised substantial funds for black and brown-led nonprofits that may not have otherwise received such support. This demonstrates the power of collective giving and the ability to make a real difference in underrepresented communities. By pooling their resources, individuals can contribute at a level that is meaningful to them and still have a significant impact.
Giving circles build community and foster connection.There’s opportunity for members to learn about incredible organizations and their impact. This not only educates and inspires participants but also creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Giving circles bring people together around a common cause, allowing them to support and uplift each other in their philanthropic journey.
Scaling your business in a mindful sustainable way
Scaling a business is often seen as the ultimate goal for founders, with many aspiring to achieve rapid growth and success. However, this mindset can sometimes lead to unsustainable practices and a lack of consideration for the long-term impact of their actions. Mindful scaling, on the other hand, involves taking a more thoughtful and intentional approach to growth.
One aspect of mindful scaling is being conscious of the resources available and making strategic decisions based on these limitations. This means being aware of the dollars you have and making sure that they are being used efficiently and effectively. By doing so you can build a more sustainable business model that is not solely reliant on external funding or unsustainable practices. You also need to consider the long-term impact of your actions. Instead of focusing solely on short-term gains, founders need to think about how their decisions will affect the longevity and sustainability of their business. This requires a more holistic approach that takes into account the social, environmental, and economic implications of their actions.
Connect with Emily Rasmussen:
Connect with Fearless Foundry:
Special Offer:
Join our Female Founder community, Figure 8, for support, connection and community. Apply today at at fearlessfoundry.com/joinfigure8