Unmerited Favor
Why generous giving is crucial in philanthropy
To whom much is given, much is required.
In philanthropy work, the concept of unmerited favor plays a pivotal role. Under this principle, non-profits, just like illuminAid, work to provide resources to those in need without expecting anything in return. It's a practice that every non-profit needs to operate under, and it's one that illuminAid follows.
Unmerited favor is more than offering financial aid to the world's impoverished communities. It's the idea that, through selfless giving, we can make lasting positive change in regions where opportunities are scarce and the means to give back are few and far between. This means that the "favors" non-profits give shouldn't end at the point of giving. Positive infrastructure change takes a great many resources and a great deal of time — neither of which these communities can spare. It's up to us to help set these communities up for long-term success.
illuminAid helps build a sustainable infrastructure for communication through video, a tool that can be quite transformative in areas that would otherwise lack these resources. illuminAid's CRS-Ethiopia initiative, launched in August 2023 in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Ethiopia, is a prime example of this. For this initiative, illunminAid and CRS held a four-day workshop in Adama, Ethiopia, to support the Joint Emergency Operation (JEOP) in addressing the community's severe food insecurity. By providing JEOP with video equipment, projectors and solar kits at no cost to them, we have empowered Adama and nearby communities to produce and distribute educational videos, even in the absence of internet connectivity. This initiative has enabled these communities to enhance their agricultural practices and boost crop production.
So why is generous giving crucial in philanthropy? With finite resources available in our world, it's up to those with plenty to help uplift those with little. By giving through the lens of unmerited grace, one receives grace in return.
Now that we are approaching the season of giving, if you have the means, we, at illuminAid, would appreciate your support in our ongoing mission to help empower the world's most impoverished communities. Your donations will go to helping give those communities the training and equipment needed to create and distribute videos that help better communicate crucial information and facilitate positive behavioral changes.
We would be grateful if you would lend your support to illuminAid’s End of the Year Campaign by donating to the Fellowship Fund. This fund will help benefit a group of our training partners by increasing their access to capacity development resources, allowing them to continue doing the good work they do for their communities. Visit here to learn more.