Icamiabas Fund
How is it possible to offer uncomplicated, transparent and continuous financial support to community leaders who work on behalf of other women in the most needy communities in Manaus?
In 1542, the Spanish conqueror Francisco de Orellana descended the great river that gave rise to the Andes in search of gold. While passing through the region of present-day Nhamundá, 375 km west of Manaus, he clashed with a group of women. His troops had been warned by other indigenous people about the existence of these warriors, called Icamiabas, who carried bows and arrows and appeared to be missing one of their breasts.
Sua derrota para elas foi depois narrada ao rei Carlos I da Espanha, que inspirado na lenda grega das guerreiras Amazonas, deu ao rio esse nome.
Icamiabas: (from Tupi) i + kama + îaba, meaning “broken chest”.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
- Monthly payments for women via reloadable debit card
- Allocation of resources defined in a verbally agreed action plan
- Fund and card statements for each beneficiary published on our website
- Photos they send via “Zap” document their activities
- Small amounts (ceiling of R$5,000) and variable, depending on the fundraising, guaranteeing future flow for 12 months
- Variable number of beneficiaries, depending on the fund’s capture
- No more than 10% applied to project management, taxes and fees
THE FUND'S JOURNEY
- MAPPING – continuous identification of new beneficiaries via “snowball mapping” methodology (cross-referencing nominations via interviews), foot selection by our associates and validation by our Board.
- ARRANCADADA – raise at least R$100,000 by October to receive matchfunding from IDIS and Mott Foundation: for every R$1 raised in this phase we receive plus R$0.50 up to the ceiling of R$100 thousand; Therefore, with cash of R$150,000, start supporting at least 3 women in January 2024.
- SUSTAINMENT – partnerships with crowdfunding Benefactory and retail donation platforms Round; permanent campaign on social media for recurring donations of small amounts aimed at residents of benefiting communities and companies in Manaus.
THE BENEFICIARIES’ JOURNEY
- IDENTIFICATION – initial interview, follow-up for 3 months, approval by our associates, validation by our Board
- ACORDO – define action plan, allocation of resources and minimum monthly value for the first 12 months
- EXECUTION – monthly card top-up, sending photos of activities
- SUSTENTAÇÃO – connect beneficiaries with a social assistance network, organizations that provide training and support for institutional development, philanthropists and family offices; continuous effort to raise funds to renew annual agreements
