Benjamin 1784

Benjamin 1784 is rated 3 out of 5 in the category nonprofit organization management. Read and write reviews about Benjamin 1784. Benjamin 1784 is a nonprofit organization that helps promising entrepreneurs in Thailand and other emerging market economies. We financing with pay it forward terms stipulated by Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of America. In 1784, Franklin lent some money to Benjamin Webb, a friend in need. He told Webb to not pay him back, but instead to repay the sum to someone else in need with instructions that they do the same...to pay it forward. We strive to do likewise. We work with small businesses that may be underserved by banks because their capital requirements are too small. We meet entrepreneurs, perform due diligence, and if we believe their business and plans are sound, we give them 0% interest rate financing. We ask businesses we support to not pay us back, but rather repay to someone else in need. Our organization began informally in 2013 when our founder, Bryan Greenwood, pledged $25 on Kiva (online microfinance platform) to a 33 year old mother and entrepreneur in the Philippines. Her name was Marlyn. Then over the next 7 years, we helped another 181 small businesses in 28 countries. Finally, during the COVID-19 stay, we sketched out what we wanted to do as a field organization in Thailand and our official launch began. We are now transitioning from being an online Kiva lender to an independent field organization that meets and lends to entrepreneurs directly with our own unique way of doing business and making a difference.