Help: Investment FAQs
Subsections
Actions
UP | Help Index
What kinds of investments is Omidyar Network interested in?
Omidyar Network is a mission-based investment group committed to fostering individual self-empowerment economically, socially and politically.
The Network funds for-profits, nonprofits and public policy efforts that promote:
- Equal access to information, tools and opportunities
- Rich connections around shared interests
- A sense of ownership for participants
Because we believe issues are best addressed by the people who face them, we fund citizen-driven models that enable individuals to pursue what matters most to them. Therefore, our approach is to focus on the how, rather than the what.
Where do I send my business plan/grant proposal?
As a matter of process, Omidyar Network does not accept unsolicited business plans or proposals. We invite you instead to join omidyar.net, an online community for anyone who wants to make the world a better place. On omidyar.net, you can meet others with similar interests, participate in discussions, or collaborate with others to make your vision a reality. To join omidyar.net, please visit http://www.omidyar.net/home.
People are starting to ask for more details on my business plan but I'm bound by confidentiality on those kinds of details. What should I do?
Clearly, your contributions have piqued enough interest that people are delving into the details of your plan. That's what open collaboration is all about. An open approach might be to post something on your workspace that addresses your confidentiality issues, letting people know that they can contact you directly for more detailed information. But, as always, please only share what you're comfortable sharing.
What happened to the Omidyar Foundation?
Early on, Pierre did what most people do in his situation: he started a foundation. However, when he looked at the continued success of eBay, he realized that making positive social impact was not limited to nonprofits. On eBay, everyone has access to the same tools, information and opportunities, and trust is fundamental to its success. Today, more than 150 million members are willing to trust a stranger with every transaction. Hundreds of thousands of people make their living entirely on eBay. For eBay, its profit depends on its ability to generate this positive social impact, and as a for-profit business, that social impact is scalable and self-sustaining.
We believe business can be a tool for good. In June 2004, we changed the structure of the organization so that we could have the flexibility to fund for-profits, nonprofits and public policy efforts. The Omidyar Foundation no longer exists by name, but the Foundation's assets will continue funding Omidyar Network's nonprofit strategic initiatives.
Aren't you funding nonprofits anymore?
We never stopped investing in nonprofits. Omidyar Network expanded its focus to include nonprofits as well as for-profits that align with our mission of enabling individual self-empowerment. You can see examples of the nonprofits we are working with on our web site.
Page name: Investment FAQs
Last editor: Haney Armstrong (CCAL30) (1784)
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:25:30 PST
Feedback score: 0
top