Last November, I announced the creation of a nonprofit organization called The Hope Effect. The nonprofit was funded by the proceeds from my new book, The More of Less. Because we don’t need much to live on, we are able to build something significant from the extra income.
The Hope Effect is changing how orphans are cared for around the world by providing solutions that better mimic the family. Rather than constructing large, cold buildings with dozens of children and only a few guardians, we are committed to building smaller homes that house 6-8 orphaned children, 2 adults, and function as a healthy family.
You can find out more about our work, right here.
Since announcing the organization late last year, we have raised over $150,000 from 1,000 individual donors. Thanks to their generous gifts, our first home is currently being constructed in Siguatepeque, Honduras and should be complete later this Fall (pictured above).
We are also beginning to turn our attention toward a new location: San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico. This Mexican border town has a population of 200,000 and the local authorities have encouraged us to build some Hope Effect Homes in their community. We are laying the groundwork for that to happen.
All of the funds that we raise for The Hope Effect are used directly for orphan care—literally every penny. We do not use publicly raised money for administrative expenses, everything goes directly to the construction and/or operation of our homes. We call it The 100% Model and we are proud to be restoring people’s faith in non-governmental organizations.
In order for this model to remain sustainable, we depend on private donors and corporate sponsors to cover our administrative costs.
Up until this point, I have not gone public with this opportunity. I have invited the Becoming Minimalist community to become active in changing orphan care around the world by donating to The Hope Effect, but I have not provided opportunity for private and corporate donors to help build the organization.
But today, I want to invite some of you to partner with us in this specific way. As our fundraising and reach has grown, so has our need to fund the growing organization without sacrificing the 100% Model we created.
We are committed to keeping our administrative expenses as minimal as possible. However, the fact remains there are always costs associated with doing business (web, design, fees, office supplies, a part-time Executive Director, and currently, the cost of expanding our organization into Mexico). I invite you to partner with us in covering some of those specific costs.
If you would like to partner with us in this unique way, please donate using this page.
It is our goal to raise an additional $5,000/month to begin expanding our staff and developing community among our donors. Your recurring monthly donation will help make that goal achievable. Thank you.
Christof says
Wouldn’t it have made more sense to support an existing organization with the same approach that has been operating for over 65 years in many, many countries, such as SOS children’s villages?
joshua becker says
That was the first question we asked. But in the end, we decided we might be able to accomplish more starting something new.
Dana Byers says
Wow! I love seeing how things are shaping up. This is exciting. It’s also awesome knowing you’re looking to help in a border town of Mexico, too. I’m inspired! Congratulations, Joshua. :)
Mandie says
Hi! What you are accomplishing, and what you have accomplished, is very cool! Thank you for sharing and I wish you all many blessings to continue filling the call you have followed.
I have a queston that’s quite selfish – I’m new to receiving your blog and I’m new to trying to minimize. I really appreciate your old stuff that is more on that topic, and although your weeked reads are helpful, I was hoping to hear more from you on this topic. When you send out a post about your current projects (books, ministries, etc), would it be possible to include a link to one of your older posts for those of us that are just starting on this path?
Thanks for considering, and I can’t wait to be in your shoes with projects bigger than me!
Jeffrey Pillow says
Joshua has a few pages of interest to you linked in the menu. They are:
Start Here
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/becoming-minimalist-start-here/
Popular Posts + the full archive
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/most-popular-posts/
I like to comb through the archives myself. It’s interesting to see how this blog began and has since progressed.
Judy says
Joshua—those homes are pretty and built to last! I’m so happy that orphaned children there have this blessing now in their lives :)
Some questions—
Is there a very high rate of orphaned children in Honduras?
If so, why?
Also, are these children up for adoption…even here in the US?
Joshua, is Christianity the main religion there? I hope these beautiful children have their souls fed as well as their bellies! :) They need to know how great God is and how much He loves them!!! :) :) :)
And Joshua, on a final note…I hope there is 24 hour security there. This world is so dangerous now and the vulnerable and innocent are often targets. These children need to be safe :) Just watch the news— and nothing surprises me anymore.
Gene says
Why Christianity ,? why not just good morals,loving people? I am sick of people using christianity as the only way to go.
Ayo says
Nice comment. It shouldn’t be about religions always but about humanity and good moral.
Sherry says
Will you be helping any U.S. orphans?
Judy says
Sherry, I asked Joshua that same question. He told me that although our system here for orphans is flawed…at least we have one. I believe that in places like Honduras, orphans don’t have much hope.
I was orphaned. I know the pain of not having parents…and needing then so bad :(
Tony W says
Great work building families for these children Josh. Happy to see your hard work paying off for you and others. We all should take a lesson from you and pay it forward ;-)