Mercy Corps takes on two new projects that will enhance its mission, encourage advocates in its campaign against world hunger and poverty and, in time, produce a new crop of deeply involved donors.

By David Mckenna

Mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs — all pretty common buzzwords in the for-profit world. But, increasingly, savvy nonprofits are realizing the benefits of looking outside themselves and introducing a variety of new ventures under the umbrella of their firmly established brand.

The right projects can help an organization expand or enhance the breadth of services it offers or the reach of its service area. They can bring in new supporters and volunteers, or engage existing ones in new ways. And they can, ultimately, mean more donations.

Mercy Corps

3015 SW 1st Ave.
Portland, OR 97201

Phone: 800.292.3355

On the Web: www.mercycorps.org

Mission: “Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.” (www.mercycorps.org)

What It Does: “Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds.” (www.mercycorps.org)

History: “The organization was founded in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund, a task force organized by Dan O’Neill in response to the plight of Cambodian refugees fleeing the famine, war and genocide of the ‘Killing Fields.’ This fledgling organization helped focus America’s attention on the humanitarian crisis and provided life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of Cambodians. By 1981, we had expanded our work to other countries and renamed ourselves Mercy Corps International to reflect our broader mission. We quickly shifted from simply providing relief assistance to focusing on long-term solutions to hunger and poverty. Our first development project began in Honduras in 1982.” (www.mercycorps.org)

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