Lendwithcare.org

The problem

CARE International were looking for a new and exciting way to recruit supporters.

The solution

We built lendwithcare.org - a truly innovative fundraising product and the first UK website of its kind.

Harnessing the power of one of the world's leading development organisations, it enables supporters to have a real impact on people's lives – by lending rather than giving.

On lendwithcare.org, a supporter can read the business plans of entrepreneurs in the developing world.  Then they can choose an entrepreneur to lend to.  Loans start at just £15 and help the entrepreneur get their business off the ground.

As the entrepreneur grows their business and works their way out of poverty, the supporter’s loan is repaid.  At the end of the process, the lender can either withdraw their money, re-invest it or donate it.

Click here to see how the site works.

Lendwithcare.org also brings lenders together as a community. Lenders can post comments on why they lend and upload photos of themselves.

Bluefrog worked alongside PR agency Kazoo on a multimedia publicity campaign to launch lendwithcare.org

TV presenter Kate Garraway came on board as an Ambassador, championing the website in TV appearances and newspaper articles.

As part of the launch campaign, Bluefrog created a poster (download a copy here) that appeared in Oxford Circus tube station.

Bluefrog also trained CARE International's overseas partners to use lendwithcare.org, so they could upload photos and videos of entrepreneurs and organise repayment of loans.

The results

The launch of lendwithcare.org has been a resounding success.  Thousands of lenders have signed up to the website, and almost a quarter of a million pounds has been lent to entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Lenders are also turning into donors - when supporters' loans have been repaid, 70% decide to start giving to CARE International.

Lendwithcare.org has also been recognised for its innovation, winning the Best New Website Award in the 2011 Third Sector Excellence Awards.

Most importantly, lendwithcare.org has been a hit with supporters. Many have posted fantastic comments on the website:

"It looks like a good way to make my money really work.  I do donate to charity, but lending means the money gets used again and again.  And it's more dignified and empowering for the recipients."

"I like the idea of leveraging the internet to get money directly to where it's needed in world, but supervised through a credible organisation like Care International, It's a great scheme!"