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The cShops idea is to setup an internet store front that allows grassroots communities to sell their goods online, streamlines middle-man costs, gives consumers a chance to participate in social change, and of course, provides an opportunity for volunteers to increase the charity in their lives.

In the traditional model, artisans goods go through the local nonprofit group, exporters and then retailers before they reach the consumers. With cShops, we hope to replace the exporters and retailers with inspired volunteers. In a sense, it's marriage between the Ebay and Amazon model of doing eCommerce, funded in full by hearts of service.

Multi-Phase Approach
In phase 1 (pilot project), we plan to work with Manav Sadhna (operating from Gandhi Ashram in India), Indicorps and Give Foundation. Indicorps has provided a full-time liaison that will work with the NGO in India, and Give Foundation is working to establish financial transparency.

For phase 2 (shown below), we plan to enable the "ripple effect" by asking nonprofits to "coach" two others and expand our outreach in the United States accordingly. In phase 3 & 4 (not shown), we plan to incorporate nonprofits from other countries and foster auto-cataclytic growth.

While we understand the value of building on a scalable model, we are fully focused on implementing the pilot project and our goal is as simple as "help Manav Sadhna sell handicrafts online".

Don't ask so much what the world needs. Go out and do what makes you come alive because what the world needs most are people who have come alive. --Howard Thurman