2005 - 2007: The Spark
Where Our Journey Began
In 2005, inspired by the question, “What can we do collectively to make the world a better place?” during our 25th reunion, dozens of Stanford class of 1980 MBA alumni met both in person and virtually over the following year to choose a mission to pursue. We created the structure to start giving grants to social entrepreneurs focused on problem-solving and economic development in poverty-stricken communities around the world – a mission that uses our GSB training, our time, talents and treasure.
In honor of our Stanford connection, Project Redwood was the name given to our nascent nonprofit. To formalize our initiative, co-chairs and board members were chosen, and bylaws were enacted.
During 2006 and 2007, we took the first steps to achieve our mission. The foundation for PRW was classmate involvement. Any classmate could join PRW, as our nonprofit affectionately became known. We were all asked to contribute $1,000 a year to become voting partners in the grantee selection process.
Our Initial Grant-Making Principles
Early rules that ensured our grants made measurable, lasting change
Classmate-Sponsored Organizations
We awarded grants only to organizations sponsored by members of our GSB class, ensuring strong engagement and accountability.
Project-Based Funding
Each grant supports a clearly defined project designed for completion within one year, enabling measurable progress and results.
Focused on Economic Opportunity
Grants prioritize projects that expand clean water access, improve health, strengthen education and skills training, and build infrastructure that supports economic development.
Our Earliest Grants
We raised $100,000, formed a Grant Review Committee and awarded the first five grants
Care To Help in Vietnam
Zambian Children’s Fund in Zambia
Care To Help in Vietnam
Village Enterprise in Uganda
The Beginning of a Shared Adventure
With a fiscal sponsor to steward our financial resources and vet potential grantees, Project Redwood joined the emerging field of social venture philanthropy and began the adventure of a lifetime together with our classmates. From that single question at our reunion, we built a way to stay deeply connected and to share what we learned at the GSB with social entrepreneurs who could put that knowledge into action to solve problems and strengthen economic security for people living in poverty and their families.
Let’s Talk!
Curious to learn more about Project Redwood? Connect with a fellow GSBer to see how you can put your skills to work.