Hope in Action

Emergency Response Fundraising to Empower Social Enterprises in Crisis

The crises in Lebanon and Palestine are devastating. Together, we can respond with compassion and hope—acknowledging the profound pain while striving to bring strength, adaptability, and justice to those affected, and build towards the countries and region we dream of and know is possible. On this page, you can support -- financially, through your time, or otherwise -- the people and organizations working tirelessly to make a difference in unimaginable circumstances.

Why Your Support Matters

Across our screens, we witness the devastation: communities torn apart, families struggling to survive, and children facing an uncertain future. It feels overwhelming. Within that pain, you can make a difference by supporting people and organizations, defying the odds, and providing support on the ground.

Social impact enterprises address urgent needs now and will be there to rebuild and sustain communities long after the conflict ends and response funding declines. Normally, social enterprises provide essential goods and services that meet community needs, sustained partially or fully from revenues they generate, and sometimes receiving blended finance investments to help grow. The current crises have disrupted these activities, making it nearly impossible for many of them to continue their vital work without additional support.

Social enterprises in Lebanon and Palestine are doing extraordinary work in the face of unimaginable challenges. They provide warmth to displaced families, dignity to those forgotten, and opportunities where there seem to be none. Emerging from systems that were corrupt, unequal, and unsustainable, supporting social enterprise leaders also helps build community leaders that can support communities, economies and governance systems that are more effective, inclusive, sustainable and compassionate. Supporting them is an act of both compassion and hope—acknowledging the suffering while empowering action. We invite you to join us to make a difference.

Building a Ripple of Hope

Join us for the Hope in Action Online Event on December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM (GMT+2) to hear from changemakers and explore ways to support their work. Register for the event.

This campaign empowers changemakers who are transforming lives amidst crisis, proving that resilience and compassion can shine even in the darkest times. We're starting with a small number of social enterprises, highlighted below, and as the campaign grows we'll expand the teams supported and ways we can support them:

WingWoman Lebanon

Hygiene with Dignity

In times of crisis, menstrual and diaper needs are critical but often overlooked. WingWoman Lebanon provides reusable period packs and diapers that last for up to three years. Since October, they’ve distributed 910 period packs and 224 diaper kits, covering the needs of women and children in nine shelters.

A mother at a recent distribution shared: “This has come just in time; we are running out of money, and organizations have stopped being able to provide us with diapers.”

Funding Target: $18,000 to distribute all diapers.

Impact: Each $25 provides one family with long-term hygiene solutions.

Displaced women and children gathered in a school-turned-shelter classroom for a community session.

Made by Nature

Feeding Families, Sustaining Livelihoods

Nature by Marc Beyrouthy works tirelessly to connect displaced families with fresh, locally sourced food while supporting Lebanon’s producers. Each box provides a family of four with pantry staples and fresh produce for three weeks, sustaining over 500 farmers and artisans in the process.

Père Hani from La Cuisine de Mariam, a key partner, shared: “We welcome anyone into our kitchen—they have the right to eat and take food for their family. We’re also reaching families hosting others displaced by the crisis, ensuring they too receive the support they need.”

Funding Target: $100,000 to provide food for 400 families per month.

Impact: Each $80 donation supports one family for three weeks.

A person organizing food supplies in a community market, including flour and other staples.

The Studio

Handmade Warmth for Displaced Children

Displaced children should never face the cold alone. The Studio’s artisans create crochet balaclavas, warming both young hearts and hardworking hands. So far, 24 artisans have crafted 569 hats, with a goal of 2,000 by December.

One artisan shared: “When we bring joy to a child, it brings us immense happiness. Especially when we try the hats on our own children and see the joy in their eyes, we can imagine that same happiness in the eyes of the child receiving the hat.”

Funding Target: Ongoing, based on artisan output.

Impact: Each $10 provides warmth for one child while supporting displaced artisans.

Hand-crocheted balaclavas and hats in vibrant colors displayed on a bright background.

Sustainable Stitch

Nurturing Mothers and Newborns

Mothers in shelters face overwhelming challenges. Sustainable Stitch steps in to provide tailored care packages with essentials like baby clothes, blankets, diapers, and milk. In just two weeks, they’ve supported six pregnant women, two premature babies, and five newborns.

Leila, a mother-to-be, shared: “When I arrived at the shelter, I was scared and uncertain about the future of my baby… But the support I received changed everything. The girls ensured I had everything I needed for a safe delivery… giving me strength when I needed it most.”

Funding Target: $405 per month to support one mother.

Impact: A $405 donation provides essential supplies for one displaced mother and her newborn.

woman loading care packages into a car with

The Volunteer Circle

Mobilizing Communities to Amplify Impact

When communities need help the most, The Volunteer Circle connects organizations with volunteers to deliver timely relief. To date, they’ve supported 13 organizations, saving them $4,500 in costs while aiding 9,560 beneficiaries. Volunteers continue to sort clothes, cook meals, provide psychosocial support, and organize activities for displaced children.

One partner organization, Karakna, shared their gratitude:

"The Volunteer Circle provided us with volunteers on the spot, making the process seamless. Communication with their team was easy, efficient, and effective. The volunteers were great! They were proactive and dedicated, enabling us to prepare meals for 500 people every day." – Hada Al Husseini, Karakna

Volunteers in a kitchen preparing and packing meals, showcasing community relief efforts led by the Volunteer Circle.

Your Support Creates Change

By joining this effort, you help transform lives in meaningful ways:

  • Nourish displaced families with food boxes filled with fresh produce and essential staples, sustaining local farmers and producers.
  • Provide warmth and comfort to children in shelters through handmade crochet hats, crafted by artisans rebuilding their livelihoods.
  • Offer women and children in shelters sustainable hygiene solutions with reusable period kits and diapers, reducing stress and fostering dignity.
  • Strengthen community kitchens to prepare and serve meals to thousands of people daily, ensuring no one is left hungry.
  • Empower organizations through volunteers by supporting relief efforts with skilled, proactive individuals who ensure timely and seamless aid delivery, from sorting clothes to distributing meals.

Every contribution you make fuels these life-changing efforts, turning hope into action for communities facing unimaginable challenges.

About Bloom

Bloom is a hybrid non-profit + social enterprise that has empowered changemakers across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond for over 17 years. We provide mentorship, tools, and funding to social enterprises tackling some of the region’s biggest challenges. We also built the Bloom platform to help us and others run more effective data-supported programs, currently in beta use before we release it more publicly.

With a diverse network of partners, we’ve supported over 900 teams in building solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and driven by the communities they serve. And with your help, we'll expand that to reach many more, hopefully building towards scalable change to help build communities and economies that are inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate.

Your generosity today helps Bloom continue to turn challenges into opportunities and empower leaders who refuse to give up. Donate, mentor, partner, or contact us (partner@bloom.pm) to discuss ways to collaborate.