The Bridge Foundation aims to be the bridge that helps improve the lot of the marginalized and the underprivileged from dire poverty to a position where they can respond positively to available opportunities. This desire and core belief forms our tagline – “from need to opportunity”. We believe poverty is largely man made. The greed of the unscrupulous and their domineering nature, exploits the weaker sections of society so that the poor remain imprisoned in the vicious cycle of poverty. God does provide opportunities to all but those in abject poverty are unable to profitably utilise the chances that come their way. They need a helping hand, a bridge that will carry them over and support them in their journey to break the shackles of poverty.
At The Bridge Foundation, we have over the years, consistently innovated to develop programs that meet the evolving needs of the underprivileged. Our uniquely crafted programs have reflected the changes in the socio-economic scenario of the nation, adapting to the evolution of regulatory frameworks and the advancement of technology.The primary categories of our programs are : Micro Enterprise Development, Micro Insurance, Micro Resource Bridge & Micro Convergence, Partnerships of long standing with Government of India bodies and institutions such as Central Silk Board, Fisheries Department, Wood Research Institute as well as corporate entities like Godrej Industries, Tata AIG, etc., have played a key role in our operations Our programs have certainly left an indelible impact on the numerous lives they have touched.Driven by our vision of an economically secure society, we continuously strive to reinvent ourselves so that we may accomplish our mission by finding ‘an enterprise solution to poverty’.
First Micro Enterprise Development Initiative
Enterprise solution to poverty is best manifested through micro enterprise development among the productive poor. This initiative had its humble beginnings with a loan of $30 to two young entrepreneurs to start a small business in Banglore. Click to read more.
The Bridge Foundation
Armed with a proof of concept for enterprise solution to poverty through sucessful pilot projects, The Bridge Foundation was formally registered in 1984. The founding trustees were Rev. Canon. Dr. Vinay Samuel, Mr. Jagadesan and Mr.David Lobo, later joined by Mr. Collin Timms in 1999.
Micro Enterprise Development
The MED program was initially rolled out to to individuals who were in the urban and rural areas of Bangalore.
Expansion of Program
By partnering with NGO's who were positioned in the villages, we forayed into the rural areas, offering our programs by setting up Self Help Groups motivated by 'animators' who would guide and teach the self help groups in the processes.
Visit by Mr.Lawrence Summers
Mr Lawrence Summers appreciated the training provided by The Bridge Foundation in motivating the women from Self Help Groups to take up business enterprises.
Imp@ct Program
As the Micro enterprise development program grew exponentially both in numbers and geographical outreach, an acute need was felt to digitize the data & automate the operations. To meet this need, we launched the Imp@act sotware program in partnership with Otco International Ltd.
Opportunity Micro Finance India
To meet the significant credit gap in rural India it was necessary to set up a dedicated micro finance institution to serve the needs of the micro entrepreneurs.
Micro Insurance Program
Micro Enterprise Development at Prisons
Boat Program
The tsunami in 2004 in Southern India wrecked havoc with the loss of lives, boats and fishing nets. We swung into action to procure boats from international manufacturers to provide to the fisherman.
Micro Resource Convergence - ERI Silk
Micro Resource Bridge
Bridge Meal Program
REACH
Micro Enterprise Development in South Sudan
In this project, we explore the potential of utilizing research done by the Wood Research Institute of India to treat catamarans (wooden log boats) with a view to extend their usable life at a very low cost.
Dehydration of Vegetables Project
TBF initiated a project to explore the potential of developing micro dehydration of fruits and vegetables as a first step towards preservation and extension of shelf life at the village level.
Vision Care
Social Enterprise Accelerator Program
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Armed with a proof of concept for enterprise solution to poverty through sucessful pilot projects, The Bridge Foundation was formally registered in 1984. The founding trustees were Rev. Canon. Dr. Vinay Samuel, Mr. Jagadesan and Mr.David Lobo, later joined by Mr. Collin Timms in 1999.
The MED program was initially rolled out to to individuals who were in the urban and rural areas of Bangalore.
By partnering with NGO's who were positioned in the villages, we forayed into the rural areas, offering our programs by setting up Self Help Groups motivated by 'animators' who would guide and teach the self help groups in the processes.
Mr Lawrence Summers appreciated the training provided by The Bridge Foundation in motivating the women from Self Help Groups to take up business enterprises.
As the Micro enterprise development program grew exponentially both in numbers and geographical outreach, an acute need was felt to digitize the data & automate the operations. To meet this need, welaunched the Imp@act sotware program in partnership with Otco International Ltd.
To meet the significant credit gap in rural India it was necessary to set up a dedicated micro finance institution to serve the needs of the micro entrepreneurs.
A basic financial instrument such as insurance was practically unavailable to the rural poor. To fulfil this fundamental need for personal risk mitigation, we initiated perhaps the very first micro insurance program in India partnership with TATA AIG.
The tsunami in 2004 in Southern India wrecked havoc with the loss of lives, boats and fishing nets. We swung into action to procure boats from international manufacturers to provide to the fisherman.
In this project, we explore the potential of utilizing research done by the Wood Research Institute of India to treat catamarans (wooden log boats) with a view to extend their usable life at a very low cost.
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