Welcome to the second issue of FSI Digest. In the time since we published our two-part Brace for Impact series on Volunteering for Shared Impact, here is what we have been reading about skills-based volunteering, and the latest happenings at FSI and our portfolio companies. Read on!
What We’re Reading on Skills-based Volunteering
- Are you a social impact organization looking for skills-based volunteers to help you with crisis and continuity planning, at a time when demand for your support services continues to surge? Whether you are a participant of our Community Connections Program or other similar initiatives, you might find this list of potential projects useful.
- Why is skills-based volunteering needed more than ever for social impact organizations? Because they are the first responders to the COVID-19 pandemic, and their on-the-ground work and expertise in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues is invaluable in helping us all drive systems change.
- Most social impact organizations rely on volunteers for much of their program implementation and service delivery, due to restricted grantmaking and funders’ unrealistic expectations of what it costs to run a social impact organization. Consider volunteering your skills and expertise for these organizations in Hong Kong with opportunities listed on HandsOn Hong Kong, LocalMotion, and Asian Charity Services (ACS’s Community Support Platform features social impact organizations that are seeking donations and skills-based volunteers).
- Read more about skills-based volunteering and its benefits to both social impact organizations and professional volunteers in Part I and Part II of our latest issue of Brace for Impact.
FSI Happenings
- Community Connections
As we wrapped up the first Connection Session early last month, we are excited for our Social Impact Partners who have found board members, advisory board members, and long-term project-based volunteers, just as we are grateful to the participants who have taken the time to send us recommendations on improving the program. The next Connection Session is happening soon on 29 October. Contact Anna Kum, Program Manager, on anna@shared-impact.com if you would like to learn more about Community Connections!
- Thought Leadership
How can social impact organizations survive the pandemic and thrive in the post-virus world? Through broad collaboration, free sharing of knowledge and resources, having a data-driven impact model, and seeking systems change. Read more in our article on our Shared-Impact Model, and help us share this article widely.Let us know if you’re interested in collaborating with us in publishing thought leadership pieces on starting a social business, driving and scaling collective social impact, and nurturing the next generation of social impact leaders.
From Our Portfolio
Soap Cycling is eight years old! Since 2012, Soap Cycling has been empowering young people and the elderly, while saving lightly used soap bars from its hotel partners and distributing this life-saving resource to communities in need in Asia and beyond.
So far this year, Soap Cycling has provided over 3,500kg of soap, more than 28,000 face masks, and over 30,000 hand sanitizers to five countries and regions in Asia. Read Soap Cycling’s half-year report on its efforts to support the under-served communities in Hong Kong throughout the pandemic.
Start your own fundraising campaign or make a donation to support Soap Cycling’s work!
Speaking of Soap Cycling, its second G.R.E.E.N. Hospitality Conference on 24 September concluded with great success, connecting various stakeholders in the hospitality industry, organizations with innovative solutions, and academics through high-level panel discussions on waste issues, climate change, and circularity in the industry.
Are you interested in teaming up with innovative minds to help the hospitality industry address food waste, waste reduction, and waste segregation? Sign up for the G.R.E.E.N. Hospitality Hackathon and Innovation Night on 20-21 November, and stand a chance to win up to HK$5,000 in cash prizes! Get 10% off your tickets here with the discount code AIA20GHH – the offer is valid until 17 October and ticket sales will close on 31 October 2020.
EmpowerU, a nonprofit educational and empowerment platform for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, welcomes two new members to its team. Meet Program Director, Bradley Aaron, and Curriculum Manager, Sumichhya “Sumi” Gurung.
