a16z Podcast: Using Social Tools to Build Homes for Those Most in Need
Nov 28, 2015
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Brett Hagler and Alexandria Lafci, co-founders of New Story, share insights on revolutionizing non-profit home building. They discuss the urgent need for permanent housing in Haiti post-earthquake and how their social-media-driven approach blends charity with entrepreneurial strategies. The duo emphasizes innovative fundraising tactics that encourage community engagement, ensuring donor accountability and transparency. They also touch on the importance of building trustworthy partnerships to create sustainable communities and enhance their impact.
NewStory was founded to address the urgent need for safe and permanent housing in disaster-affected communities, promoting stability and community rebuilding.
The organization disrupts traditional charitable models through a transparent, tech-driven approach to crowdfunding, ensuring 100% of donations go directly to housing construction.
Deep dives
The Origins of New Story
The idea for New Story originated from the hands-on experiences of its founders in Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. They observed families living in unsafe, makeshift shelters that were expected to provide temporary relief but lasted for years, leading to dire circumstances. The founders recognized that these circumstances posed significant dangers, including the risks of child abduction and severe health issues due to inadequate sanitation. This highlighted the urgent need for transitional housing that could not only enhance safety but also foster community rebuilding and long-term stability.
Innovative Approach to Philanthropy
New Story disrupts traditional charitable models by applying technology and transparency akin to for-profit startups while maintaining its status as a nonprofit. They focus on crowdfunding to construct homes for families, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly towards building houses. Homeownership provides not only safety but also opens doors to education and entrepreneurial opportunities, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire communities. This model emphasizes accountability, as donors can track their contributions and even receive videos of families moving into their new homes, bridging the gap between aid and connection.
Future Expansion and Sustainable Partnerships
New Story aims to expand its impact beyond Haiti by identifying trustworthy nonprofit partners in new regions that align with their mission and operational standards. The organization plans to apply the same transparency and technological principles in these new locations to ensure successful housing projects. They target countries that have recently faced disasters or have ongoing needs due to internal displacement, such as Nepal or El Salvador. Ultimately, the goal is to create sustainable communities that support economic growth, education, and health services for generations to come.
Brett Hagler was on a trip to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake where he saw too many of those displaced by the natural disaster still living in tattered blue-tarp shelters. What struck Hagler was the need for more permanent housing that could not only offer much needed safety for families, but help foster the community that was split apart following the earthquake. The non-profit startup NewStory is Hagler’s answer to that need.
NewStory co-founder Alexandria Lafci joins Hagler on this segment of the a16z Podcast to discuss the startup’s social-media powered approach to giving -- and why even as a non-profit startup they think and act like any other for-profit tech startup looking to make a mark.
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