Mon Ami Foundation - Blogs #contemporary designsMon Ami Foundation - Blogs #contemporary designshttps://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/tag/contemporary-designsFri, 31 Jul 2026 18:36:12 +0530http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Storytelling for Impact: How NGOs Can Win Corporate Partnerships]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/storytelling-for-impact-how-ngos-can-win-corporate-partnershipsNGOs win corporate trust through storytelling—real human journeys turn data into emotion, building lasting, purpose‑driven partnerships.]]>
Storytelling for Impact

What makes a company choose one NGO over another? It isn’t always the size of the organization or the number of projects completed. More often, it comes down to one simple question: What difference did you make?


In today’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) landscape, companies want more than reports filled with numbers. They want to understand the people behind those numbers. As fundraising expert Ken Burnett famously said, “People give to people, not to organizations.” That principle increasingly shapes corporate partnerships.


Why Stories Matter More Than Numbers

Stories have a unique ability to do what data alone cannot: they create connection. A report might say that 500 women were trained, but the story of one woman who gained financial independence, sent her children to school, or discovered her own confidence gives those numbers meaning.


Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that people who feel an emotional connection are 52% more valuable to an organization than those who are simply satisfied. Whether it’s a customer, donor, or CSR partner, genuine connection begins with a story.


Building Trust Through Storytelling

Strong partnerships don’t grow because a company writes a cheque. They thrive when both organizations believe in the same goal and trust each other enough to work towards it. Strengthening Civil Society (SCS Global) describes partnerships as relationships built on shared purpose, collaboration, and mutual respect—not simply funding.


That trust has to be earned, and one of the simplest ways to earn it is by telling honest stories about the work being done.


Case Studies: Stories That Changed the Game

Think about what people remember after reading an annual report. It usually isn’t the graphs or percentages—it’s the story of the person whose life changed.

  • The Global Fund’s “Here I Am” campaign let beneficiaries speak about their own experiences, turning statistics into lived realities.
  • Organizations like charity: water have long used storytelling to help supporters understand the people behind every project. The numbers were still there, but they finally had meaning.


Mon Ami Foundation: Stories Behind Every Product

At Mon Ami Foundation, every artisan, entrepreneur, and woman has her own journey. Some are learning a skill for the first time. Others are turning that skill into an income that supports their family. These stories deserve to be told because they remind us that behind every handcrafted product is a person who worked hard to create it. The product matters—but the person behind it matters even more.


The Bottom Line

Companies don’t partner with NGOs because of impressive presentations alone. They partner with organizations they understand and trust. Data may show the impact of a program, but stories help people believe in it. And when belief is backed by measurable results, partnerships become stronger, longer lasting, and capable of creating real change.


This blog is contributed by Aanavi Anand, a student of lady Shri Ram College for Women

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanavi-anand-0a6b91308/

]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:35:30 +0530<![CDATA[CSR Dashboards: Making Transparency Work for Communities]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/csr-dashboards-making-transparency-work-for-communitiesCSR dashboards often show numbers for investors, but true transparency means including community voices, outcomes, and stories—not just data points.]]>
CSR Dashboards: Making Transparency Work for Communities

Open any company’s CSR report today and you’ll likely find a dashboard: neat charts showing donation amounts, volunteer hours, and the number of communities “reached.” It looks like transparency. But pause for a moment—transparent to whom?


Most CSR dashboards are designed with investors and regulators in mind. They exist to prove compliance under laws like Section 135 of the Companies Act and to reassure stakeholders that social spending is real, measurable, and accountable. That is a legitimate need. Numbers build trust, and trust is hard to earn without evidence. A well-designed dashboard can also help companies identify which programmes are working and redirect resources faster than a year-end report ever could.


Yet here lies the gap: a dashboard full of impressive totals can still tell a beneficiary nothing about whether their own life has changed. A village may appear as a data point in a “communities reached” figure while having no way to see what was promised, what was delivered, or whom to approach if it fell short. Transparency often flows upward to boardrooms rather than outward to the people it claims to represent. This is where accusations of “CSR-washing” arise—numbers that look accountable while the people on the ground remain unheard.


For transparency to genuinely serve communities, dashboards must include the community’s own voice, not just administrative figures. That means:

    • Beneficiary feedback integrated into reporting.
    • Outcome tracking at an individual or household level.
    • Accessible formats that allow communities to question and engage with the data.


    The MAMTA Institute for Mother and Child’s beneficiary feedback pilot in Kaushambi District shows what this can look like in practice. By giving communities, a direct channel to raise issues and see them addressed, feedback volumes rose sharply, and most respondents reported real improvements in service delivery.


    A recent Times of India report underscores the scale of the challenge. Despite CSR spending crossing thousands of crores in a single year, a nationwide study found that most NGOs—especially smaller ones—still struggle to access those funds. The disconnect between intent and impact remains stark.


    At Mon Ami Foundation, we try to bridge this gap. Rather than reducing an artisan’s progress to a single number, our impact stories highlight each woman’s tangible gains in skill, income, and confidence. A dashboard can show that a hundred artisans were trained. A story can show what that training actually meant for one of them. Real transparency probably needs both: the dashboard’s scale and the story’s honesty.


    Works Cited

      • MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child. Beneficiary Feedback Mechanisms Case Study: India. World Vision UK, 2016, feedbackmechanisms.org/public/files/MAMTAIndia.pdf.
      • Clear White Space. CSR Washing. Clear White Space, www.clearwhitespace.com/post/csr-washing. Accessed 12 July 2026.
      • CallMyCA. CSR Section 135 Companies Act 2013 Explained. CallMyCA, callmyca.com/blog/csr-section-135-companies-act-2013-explained. Accessed 12 July 2026.
      • Rupera, Prashant. Corporate Intent vs Community Impact: Big CSR Spend, Small Impact. The Times of India, 25 Aug. 2025, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/corporate-intent-vs-community-impact-big-csr-spend-small-impact/articleshow/123488897.cms.


      Contributed by Shreya Mangla, student St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University

      https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreya-mangla-03486124a/

      ]]>      Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:01:00 +0530      <![CDATA[Virtual Volunteering: The Future of Employee Engagement]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/virtual-volunteering-the-future-of-employee-engagementVirtual volunteering transforms employee engagement—scaling purpose, CSR, and skill-sharing across geographies, making impact authentic, measurable, and future-focused.]]>
      virtual volunteering’s digital and human connection.

      For years, employee engagement followed a familiar playbook: team lunches, birthday shoutouts, an annual off-site. That worked when everyone sat in the same office. It works far less now, with teams split between home offices, co-working hubs, and cities apart. Into that gap steps virtual volunteering—and it is quickly becoming the next major shift in how companies keep people invested.

      What Virtual Volunteering Really Means

      At its core, virtual volunteering is simple: giving your time and skills to a cause from wherever you are, using nothing but a laptop. As Katherine Gorman puts it, “Volunteering takes place on your couch, with your coworkers, during your workday.” That could mean mentoring a student over video call, writing website copy for an NGO, or teaching digital skills to someone who never had access before.
      Unlike an office party, virtual volunteering scales across a whole company at once. That scalability is exactly why it is shaping the future of engagement.


      Purpose Overtakes Perks

      The real driver here isn’t perks—it’s purpose. As Joshua Harris notes, “Employee volunteering is no longer just about social good; it’s a strategic business advantage.”

      That shift explains the rise of Volunteer Time Off (VTO), treating giving back as paid work, not a weekend Favor. It also feeds directly into CSR strategy, building trust with stakeholders and compounding results over time rather than creating one-off PR moments. Technology now matches employee skills to real needs, ensuring impact is both authentic and measurable.

      Artisan Incubation Model: Mon Ami Foundation

      Our unique AI model demonstrates how this works in practice. Backed by CSR partners like DCM Shriram Foundation, HCL Foundation, Dalmia Bharat Foundation, and Synergy Consulting Inc., it has:

      • Trained over 1,000 women artisans across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR, and West Bengal in crafts like zardozi and crochet.
      • Paired IIT Roorkee research students with the camel-herding community in Rajasthan, exploring new uses for camel dung, wool, and milk by-products—skilled volunteering feeding directly into livelihood innovation.
      • Extended impact inward through initiatives like a Dental Health Camp for school staff in NCR, showing how volunteering can strengthen an organization’s own workforce.

      This is not yet a finished success story. Mon Ami’s reach is still concentrated in a few regions, dependent on year-to-year CSR funding. Projects like Pastoral Livelihoods and Project Ektara need deeper market linkages to scale. But the proof is clear: expert time and CSR partnerships already work, even as honest ground remains to cover.

      The Road Ahead

      Virtual volunteering is more than a stopgap for remote teams—it is a blueprint for the future of employee engagement. It aligns purpose with productivity, scales across geographies, and embeds CSR into everyday work.
      So, the next time your company mentions virtual volunteering, recognize it for what it is: not a trend, but the trajectory of engagement itself.


      Contributed by Shreya Mangla, student St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University

      https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreya-mangla-03486124a/

      ]]>      Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:27:46 +0530      <![CDATA[Craft Musings]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/craft-musingsCraft encourages mindful living by honouring time, skill, and human connection. Handmade objects remind us to value process over consumption and appreciate the artisans, care, and stories behind every creation.]]>
      Craft Musings

      In a world shaped by speed, convenience, and endless consumption, craft asks us to slow down.

      Every handmade object carries the imprint of time. It is not produced instantly, nor without thought. It emerges through repetition, patience, and an intimate dialogue between the maker and the material. Each knot tied, stitch placed, thread woven, or surface shaped is a deliberate act of attention.

      This process stands in direct contrast to mindless consumption.

      When we encounter something handcrafted, we are invited to pause. We notice the irregularities, the textures, and the subtle marks of the human hand. These details remind us that this object did not simply appear—it was imagined, shaped, and brought into being with intention.

      That pause is significant.

      It creates a moment of mindfulness, encouraging us to reflect on the journey of the objects that fill our lives. Who made them? What skills were required? How much time and care were invested? What materials were transformed, and what stories do they carry?

      Craft restores visibility to labour that is often hidden in modern systems of production. It reconnects us with the value of process over immediacy, meaning over excess, and purpose over disposability.


      To make is to honour time.


      To appreciate craft is to honour the hands behind it.


      To choose handmade is to engage more consciously with what we bring into our lives.


      Craft interrupts consumption by reminding us that objects are never just objects. They are embodiments of intention, skill, and human connection.


      In that mindful pause, we begin to consume differently—with greater awareness, gratitude, and respect for the world and the people who shape it.


      To support the Artisans, visit: www.craftsaq.com

      ]]>      Mon, 18 May 2026 10:50:15 +0530      <![CDATA[Last Mile Impact and Collaboration]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/last-mile-impact-and-collaborationTrue last mile impact isn't found in spreadsheets, but in behavioral change and community agency. Beyond reaching numbers, it’s about nurturing local champions who inspire a ripple effect of long-term transformation.]]>
      Mile Impact and Collaboration

      When we talk about impact assessment, the conversation often stops at numbers—beneficiaries reached, income generated, or funds disbursed. These metrics, usually compiled by third-party agencies, satisfy regulatory requirements but rarely capture the deeper story. True last mile impact is not about ticking boxes; it is about long-term transformation in habits, aspirations, and community resilience.


      Consider hygiene practices, food choices, education, or even gender sensitivity. These are not easily quantified, yet they define whether an intervention has genuinely shifted the trajectory of a community. Unfortunately, field staff conducting assessments often lack emotional investment. Their reports emphasize scale over depth: 1,000 people earning ₹1,000 each is rated higher than 50 individuals consistently earning ₹10,000. But which scenario truly breaks cycles of poverty?


      Real change happens when projects create role models—individuals who embody possibility and inspire others. Numbers alone cannot measure hope, dignity, or the courage to challenge entrenched norms. Communities need aspirational frameworks, not handouts. They must see that escaping poverty is possible but also recognize that the responsibility lies with them to take charge of their own progress.


      At Mon Ami Foundation, our Red Earth Model is built on this philosophy. We nurture community resource persons who act as catalysts, encouraging peers to adopt new practices and envision brighter futures. For us, impact is not an entry in an Excel sheet—it is the ripple effect of one person’s transformation inspiring many others.


      Collaboration, therefore, must go beyond compliance-driven assessments. It requires empathy, storytelling, and a commitment to measuring what truly matters: sustained behavioural change, strengthened social fabric, and the emergence of local champions. That is the essence of last mile impact—where numbers fade but hope and agency endure.                                                                                                                                

      ]]>      Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:40:12 +0530      <![CDATA[Internships in Social Organizations: Building Empathy and Perspective]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/internships-in-social-organizations-building-empathy-and-perspectiveInternships in social organizations nurture empathy, cultural sensitivity, and problem‑solving in students while offering enterprises youthful innovation, bridging gaps, and strengthening artisan communities through sustainable, impactful collaboration.]]>
      Internships in Social Organizations

      Internships are often seen as stepping stones into corporate careers, but their role in social organizations is equally vital. College students should be encouraged to spend at least 4–6 weeks interning with social enterprises. This experience not only broadens their understanding of the sector but also nurtures empathy—an essential quality for future leaders.

      For students, such internships provide exposure to grassroots realities. They learn how social enterprises tackle challenges like sustainability, livelihood creation, and community empowerment. Unlike classroom lessons, these experiences are immersive, teaching adaptability, problem‑solving, and cultural sensitivity. Students return with a deeper appreciation of social impact and a stronger sense of responsibility toward society.

      For the enterprises, the benefits are equally significant. Many social organizations operate with limited resources and cannot afford to hire young graduates full‑time. Interns bring fresh perspectives, digital skills, and innovative ideas that help bridge generational and demographic gaps. Their energy and curiosity often spark creative solutions, while their presence strengthens the organization’s connection to younger audiences.

      At CraftsAQ, we have been actively encouraging such internships. By connecting students with artisans supported by the Mon Ami Foundation, we create opportunities for them to witness firsthand the resilience, creativity, and individuality of craft communities. This exposure not only enriches students’ learning but also deepens their empathy for artisans whose livelihoods depend on sustainable growth and fair opportunities. It is a powerful way to blend youthful innovation with traditional wisdom.

      Educational institutions play a pivotal role in making this connection possible. By integrating social internships into academic programs, colleges can encourage students to step outside conventional career paths. When universities champion these initiatives, they create a culture where social responsibility is valued alongside academic excellence.

      In essence, internships in social organizations foster a symbiotic relationship—students gain empathy and practical insights, while enterprises benefit from youthful innovation.

      ]]>      Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:27:24 +0530      <![CDATA[Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/why-should-all-the-turtles-look-the-sameWhy Should All the Turtles Look the Same? In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate:  why should all the turtles look the same?  As ]]>
      Turtle
      Why Should All the Turtles Look the Same?

      In our CraftHub, this question sparks endless debate: why should all the turtles look the same? As we build capacity and train artisans to produce multiple units of the same product, we aim for a remarkable 95% likeness across dozens of pieces. It’s a demanding standard, especially when multiple artisans are racing against deadlines. Even when the design criteria are met, subtle differences emerge—tiny variations in curve, finish, or detail.


      Our buyers, though supportive of artisan work, often come from a background of purchasing bulk, machine-made imports from neighbouring countries. They are accustomed to absolute uniformity: rows of identical products, each indistinguishable from the next. Against that backdrop, our handcrafted pieces sometimes feel “different.” And so begins the delightful conversation: why should they all look the same?


      Machines excel at replication. They erase individuality in favour of efficiency. But handmade products carry the imprint of the human hand—the rhythm of the artisan’s skill, the nuance of their touch, the story of their craft. Each piece is not just an object; it is a signature. When we pause from machine-made perfection, we discover beauty in individuality. The slight differences are not flaws; they are proof of authenticity.


      Uniformity has its place in mass production. But in artisan work, sameness risks stripping away the very soul of the craft. Buyers who embrace individuality are not just purchasing a product; they are investing in heritage, creativity, and human connection. Each turtle, while similar, carries its own personality. And isn’t that worth celebrating?


      So, the next time someone asks why all the turtles don’t look the same, perhaps the better question is: why would we want them to?

      ]]>      Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:59:02 +0530      <![CDATA[Future of Handicraft: The Opportunity]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/future-of-handicraft-the-opportunity

      Future of Handicraft: The Opportunity

      The Global Handicraft market is on a fast track. The market stood at a value of USD 704.7 billion in 2022. Interestingly, the Global Computer Hardware market is similar sized. Something, that is tracked and chased by lot of my friends.

      The handcrafts market is completely fragmented, unlike the hardware market, where there are several large players like Dell and HP

      The handicrafts market is projected to witness a CAGR of 11.8% over the forecast period of 2023-2028. It is expected to reach USD 1376.12 billion by 2028.( Data as per EMR report. here is a report of similar numbers by IMARC.)

      Of the top 8 handicraft manufacturers, none of them hit a revenue of $1B or even close to it.

      There is a huge opportunity to address this market. The consumers are becoming more aware of supporting the local artisans and making more conscious choices to use handcrafted.

      In India we have been supporting our Artisans since time immemorial. Now with the newfound confidence and desire to lead global initiatives, we have the Opportunity of a lifetime.

      We need to focus on the following areas for large scale intervention:

      1. Contemporary Designs
      2. Capacity Building
      3. Market Linkages

      There is no reason why we can’t have $10B-$20B revenue company from India that focuses on sustainable handicraft products for domestic and overseas markets.

      With the right investments, the Future of Handicraft is joined in the hip to the Future of a sustainable planet.

      ]]>      Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:05:59 +0530      <![CDATA[Estimating the Economic Impact of interventions Utkarsh Majmudar]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/future-of-handicraft-the-opportunity2
      Estimating the Economic Impact of interventions - Utkarsh Majmudar

      Mon Ami undertakes craft related projects that result in proved livelihood for its for its beneficiaries. Companies fund project and part of the funds are used for administration, training, and other purposes. A part of the fund is used to produce craft items which when sold generate both revenue and working capital for the beneficiaries. Once the beneficiaries are trained, they can further train other people to improve their livelihoods.
      So, how do we evaluate the outcome of this project? A simple way would be to think in terms of profits earned by the beneficiaries in the future. In a generic sense we can think of the life project as the number of years till which the beneficiaries stabilize. In this example we take it as three years. We assume that the project increases the income of the beneficiaries to 50,000 rupees per beneficiary. We also assume that each beneficiary will train 2 more beneficiaries each year. For this example, the costs associated with production are taken to be 0 but depending on the project there may be material, selling and other costs. Let us also assume that the economic cost of money is 6%, the rate that the beneficiaries can earn on bank deposits. We thus calculate the economic impact of the project:



      While it is simplistic to simply add up the net income of the beneficiaries and take that as the total benefit of the project, the correct approach is to find the present value of the benefits:


      Thus, the economic benefit of the project is 1.82 crores.



      The same approach may be useful while approaching a company to grant money for the project. Suppose a company commits to provides 20 lakhs for the project, the effective economic benefit of the project from the
      Providing a clear economic rationale for going ahead with this project. Alternatively, this can be seen as a straight return on investment number (ROI)





      Utkarsh Majmudar

      Author of Shift: Decisions for a Net Zero World Finance educator trainer and consultant, Bengaluru
      A multidimensional professional with nearly two decades of experience encompassing academics and administration at premier business schools in India and working with large corporations in India at GE Capital, iGATE and HSBC. His work ranges across managing people and processes, training and hiring.
      Apart from strong training capability he brings adept managerial competence, excellent communication and people skills, ability to interface with people at all levels, managing cross nation relationships and an ability work across varied domains.
      He also contributes to a regular column for Economic Times and occasionally to CSRwire on CSR and sustainability issues.
      ]]>      Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:05:59 +0530      <![CDATA[Design Thinking to Interpret Crochet]]>https://www.monamifoundation.com/blogs/post/future-of-handicraft-the-opportunity1

      Design Thinking to Interpret Crochet

      Crochet, the seemingly effortless counting and repeating of a basic stitch, to create lace-like, intricate products, has captured the imagination of crafters through the ages. However, as craftspeople have followed the same system of product development for years, designs have gradually become redundant, and could spell doom for the future of this craft.

      To remain relevant in a marketplace teeming with myriad choices, it is imperative that crochet crafts evolve, incorporating contemporary updates. This is where Anurag Rana, an NID graduate and founder of Mon Ami Foundation, brings in her vast skills and experience as a designer.

      Anurags creativity and vision have come together to create unique products, using design as a problem-solving tool. Employing the principles of design thinking, viz. Empathise (understanding user needs),Define (state the problem), Ideate (create ideas), Prototype (create solutions) and Test (try the solutions), Mon Ami Foundation has an innovative line of crochet products. https://www.facebook.com/crochethubindia

      Where else could you find a crocheted spider key chain? A fish as a fridge magnet? Or an owl with perfectly aligned eyes to sit on your coffee table?

      The Mon Ami Design team, with Anurag at the helm, ensure that all their products have these qualities:
      • Utility value: every feature of the product serves a purpose, so as to maximise the user experience.
      • Functionality – all products are user-friendly. For instance, initially, crochet used wool, feasible for use only in small pockets of India, for a mere 1-2 months annually. A conscious shift was made to crocheting with cotton yarn usable through the year.
      • Aesthetic appeal the look and feel of a product are central to its appeal. Simplicity and elegance go hand-in-hand.
      • Attention to detail All the little things matter. What colour combinations should toys be? How will these colours further stimulate the minds of little children? Are the eyes of the toy aligned?
      • Longevity of design good design is timeless.
      Committed to setting up the largest Crochet movement in the country, through extensive skill building efforts, Mon Ami Foundation, in partnership with HCL Foundations Craft Hub, creates new products for the domestic and international markets, keeping the tastes and preferences of customers in mind.

      To learn more, visit https://monamifoundation.com/crochet/
      ]]>      Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:05:59 +0530