Idea Aid™ is designed to identify solutions to difficult issues facing people around the globe. Here’s the challenge we’re working on now:

Idea Aid's inaugural challenge is to find new ways of raising $1 billion annually to help eradicate global poverty. To participate in this landmark brainstorming benefit event, please register here.

More than 1.2 billion people — one in every five on earth — survive on less than $1 per day. Over 800 million people go to bed hungry every day— 300 million are children. The problem is everywhere, from Appalachia to the Andes, from Estonia to Senegal to Myanmar.

What’s needed to put an end to global poverty? According to Heifer International, one thing that makes a big difference is money. At this point, however, there’s no one way to efficiently and consistently generate necessary funds for this cause.

We need new ideas and new methods of collection to make giving easy and efficient. Something that can be used by everyone, everywhere: online, offline, globally, locally. Something simple, like swiping a card at the grocery store. Something innovative and effortless like a new online payment system just for charities. One big idea that everyone can participate in. One big idea that Heifer International and others can implement.

That’s what we’re asking Idea Aid participants to do: offer ideas for a new fundraising model to annually help to raise $1 billion or more to end global poverty.

With this model and increased awareness, Heifer International can address global poverty with proven solutions, including education, infrastructure improvements, policy and system enhancements, and a framework of hopeful, workable, sustainable programs.

The time is right. The foundations to end global poverty are in place. Even the smallest progress creates stronger communities and sparks positive changes in all areas of society. Less poverty in more countries means increased stability, gender equity and enterprise development.