For centuries, the world has operated with a distinctly Western philosophy on how we go about the business of helping those “less fortunate”.  It is based on the idea that affluent people – successful members of the modern human race –know what is best for all people.  This has led public and private aid organizations to develop programs that overly control on the way other cultures receive and utilize aid.  With the best of intentions, we have perpetuated generations of dependent communities attached to government and nonprofit programs for survival.  This attitude has led to the disappearance of unique cultures and ideas globally.

By continuing to project our Western beliefs onto struggling communities, we are creating more harm than good by crippling the very People we seek to help.  We rob them of the opportunity to build the problem-solving skills they need, and we damage their confidence and their own ability to thrive. An illustration of this point would be, if you were watching your son or daughter playing a soccer/football game at a very young age and if their team were loosing, you volunteered to substitute for your child to help their team win the match. You may win the match, but what did your child learn from this experience?

By working with third parties instead of working directly with the communities in need, philanthropists have unintentionally created an enormous opportunity for corruption within the international aid industry.

It is hard to exactly calculate how much money sent to foreign countries and domestic aid groups for philanthropic aid is lost. Our estimate, from our extensive field work in 74 countries, is that between 50% to 100% evaporates into the system.  One thing is certain – corruption and scepticism are the major obstacles hindering international aid today.

It is time to change the way we change the world. IRF is a new model for 21st century philanthropy based on Human connection, Self-Determination, and Respect and Dignity in the process.  We call it Adrenaline Philanthropy. It is about charging you directly with the power to decide which communities you help and what projects you fund.  It is about empowering those in need with the power to move forward in ways they determine for themselves, free of strings attached or conditions.  It is about putting cash directly into the hands of those who need it most!  Isn’t this what you would want if you were in need and were asked what you needed, or would you be happy with donated shoes or “other gifts” and enjoy listening about some new religion from some distant land?  Keep in mind this entire process is administered by foreigners in your country.

We travel the world and scour geopolitical news, seeking out and finding People that have been Oppressed and Marginalized by Corrupt and Abusive leadership.  We offer People in these communities a one-time opportunity to level the playing field.  We offer them a second chance to survive.  We believe that diversity makes our global community stronger.

We bring the faces and communities of the People we discover to you.  We show you the Projects they want us to fund.  We hope to inspire you to understand the cultures and the issues they struggle to overcome.  We hope to inspire you to take back the power to choose the Projects which you wish to contribute, to find the People and the causes that resonate with you.  We believe absolutely that you have the ability to change the world, one community at a time.

The IRF philosophy was developed through annual attendance at the Annual United Nations Conferences on Indigenous Peoples Issues, where we listen to thousands of Indigenous Peoples representing hundreds of ethnicities from all regions of the world discuss their issues and needs.  We came to understand that, while all people share common human bonds, every community lives with a unique set of circumstances.  We realized that “we” cannot know what is best for every community in every part of the world.  We came to understand that if we don’t know what they actually need, we cannot possibly help them.

Our Approach is simple.  We address each Project by treating the People we wish to assist with Dignity and Respect in the process.  We trust and believe in these People to know what they need and want to move forward.  After listening to thousands of People discuss their issues at the United Nations over the years, we noticed they all resoudingly say the same thing over and over, they all want “Self-Determination” as described in Artlcles 3&4 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  By asking our two significant questions… “What do you need?” and “How can we help?”, we believe we can address their concerns in the most Respectful and Effective manner.

With our process, we meet with the entire Community, usually 50-500 People, to establish trust through this Transparency.  With this Transparency Approach, “everyone sees and hears everything”.  Through this two to three day dialogue workshop approach, their Community identifies their Projects, their Budgets, and they decide who secures and budgets the community’s funds once we’re gone.   Every aspect is debated with an emphasis on ensuring the women, the youth, and the elderly are heard and understood, then when the Community feels They are ready, we put the project funding directly into their community as they direct.

Our responsibility is to Effectively Share with People, nothing more.  The IRF is not a school builder, a water well driller, preachers or a shoe deliverers, what we are is an organization which Respectfully Shares with People and provides them the working capital to fulfill their life’s needs providing them a second chance in life to thrive.

IRF has three rules for the communities who receive our funds.  First, our funds must benefit everyone in the community equally or the unintended  consequence introduces poverty – the disparity between those of have and those who don’t have.  Second, adequate safeguards must be established by the entire community to prevent the theft of funds once we’re gone.  Third, the funds are not to be used for any weapons whatsoever.

At IRF, we believe that philanthropy is not about signing a check, it is about starting your Adventure.  It’s finding a new way of looking at the world, a chance to see People and cultures hidden from the mainstream.  It is about making the kind of difference you want to make in the world.  It is about getting the emotional Satisfaction and Joy or “Dopamine Rush” when you connect and help People directly.  As a donor, if you can experience this intense emotional connection and Joy, you will continue your sharing journey on into perpetuity.  If your contribution to a lame third party organization is an emotionally empty experience, then you won’t contribute the next time.  For Philanthropy to truly sustain itself, it must be symbiotically rewarding to the recipient as well as you, the donor.

If our message resonates with you, we hope you reach out to us and tell us your story.   We hope you find your own way to change the world through sharing with People directly.  We hope you start your new journey today, because life should be an adventure.