The Giving Exchange Named a Finalist in the 2023 Classy Awards
The Classy Awards honor the impact of innovative nonprofits.
Walnut Creek, CA. April 6, 2023 — Classy, a giving platform enabling nonprofits to connect supporters with causes they care about, has named The Giving Exchange a finalist for the 2023 Classy Awards. Launched in 2009, The Classy Awards shine a spotlight on the innovative work nonprofits are implementing around the globe. Today, we’re proud to share that our Animal Feed Production for Karambi Group project has been recognized for its innovative use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a solution to growing animal feed constraints.
The Karambi Group of People with Disabilities is a non-profit organization based in Kasese, Uganda whose goal is to empower people with disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life. They work to advocate and promote basic human rights for people with disabilities through social and economic inclusion and rehabilitation.
The rural communities supported by Karambi Group of People with Disabilities in the Kasese District are largely dependent on animal-rearing projects to generate income. Over 85% of homesteads around Kasese District have home-based poultry-keeping, livestock, and fish-farming as a means of steady income. However, animal feed is very expensive in Uganda, both to buy pre-made from the shops or to produce the feed in-house. This results in animal-rearing projects not being profitable or even driving the farmer into debt.
Together with The Giving Exchange, Karambi Group has developed an environmentally friendly and budget-conscious solution: Black Soldier Fly Larvae
BSFL is high in nutrients, especially proteins. It is versatile, and quick to reproduce. It can be consumed live or in powder form, by poultry, livestock and fish, and has even shown to strengthen the immunity of animals
Karambi Group will be gathers organic waste from local hotels on which the larvae feed. The flies are confined in insectariums and lay eggs in pieces of wood. Every two days, eggs are collected and hatched, and the larvae start eating in the Larvarium. They feed on any organic decomposable matter: kitchen refuse, animal droppings or fruits.
In just 8 to 12 days, larvae are mature and are ready for consumption.
Karambi Group sells the BSFL animal feed at a lower cost than the other feeds available. The BSFL animal feed production is currently benefiting 100 community households and will contribute to the overall mission of empowering the Kasese communities.
This year, 11 Classy Awards will be distributed including the People’s Choice Award, which is determined by public vote. Supporters can vote here for The Giving Exchange from April 6-April 25, 2023. Winners will be announced live on June 7 at the Collaborative by Classy conference in Philadelphia, PA.
For more information on the Classy Awards, visit awards.classy.org.
About The Giving Exchange
The Giving Exchange partners with under-resourced communities to implement self-sustaining projects for a lasting impact.
We dream of a world where children have every opportunity to build their best future; where all needs for education, health and livelihood are met by locally-grown resources; and where communities are implementing the solutions they need to make life better for themselves and for generations to come.
About the Classy Awards
Started in 2009, the Classy Awards recognize nonprofits for their unique approaches and impact on our world. Decided by a well-respected group of judges, the Classy Awards bring together groundbreaking nonprofits and impact leaders to honor the achievements driving lasting change around the globe.
About Classy
Classy, an affiliate of GoFundMe, is a Public Benefit Corporation and giving platform that enables nonprofits to connect supporters with the causes they care about. Classy's platform provides powerful and intuitive fundraising tools to convert and retain donors. Since 2011, Classy has helped nonprofits mobilize and empower the world for good by helping them raise over $5 billion. For more information, visit www.classy.org.