Questions about the Program
Why India , Colombia , Washington , DC and Wilmington , DE ?
Where does the funding come from?
Will you take money from anyone?
How does Atlas Corps really become sustainable?
Will U.S. Host Organizations keep paying a larger cost share?
Why do you use the term "citizen sector organization" instead of nonprofit or nongovernmental organization (NGO)?
Is your program really unique? Who is your competition?
Why India , Colombia , Washington , DC and Wilmington , DE ?
Atlas Corps is starting in these four areas for two big reasons.
First, these are locations that the founder has very strong ties. For two years Scott Beale lived in New Delhi , India working for the U.S. Embassy coordinating the U.S. Government's response to human trafficking in India . Currently, Scott is living in Colombia where his wife continues to work for the U.S. State Department. Scott grew up in Wilmington , Delaware , used to work for the State Government and pursued his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Delaware . Finally, Scott went to school in Washington , DC at Georgetown University and lived and worked there for about 10 years.
Second, India and Colombia are very different and diverse countries with very strong citizen sectors. Washington , DC and Delaware are very different parts of the United States that are close enough for logistical ease of implementation. By piloting the program in these areas, Atlas Corps can prove a model that will work in countries around the world and in communities across the United States.
Where does the funding come from?
Atlas Corps plans to have a diverse fundraising base and will accept donations from individuals, the government, businesses, and foreign funders. Atlas Corps is also unique because we have a revenue stream -- 40% of our funding comes from our U.S. Host Partner Organizations -- U.S. nonprofit organizations who are hosting Fellows. We are developing a policy that outlines what types of companies we are willing to take money from, but due to our diverse funding base, we comfortable taking money from many different types of groups.
Will you take money from anyone?
No. Although we do take foreign funds, we do not take funds associated with terrorist organizations. Although we take corporate funds, we do not take funds that have strings attached that require us to compromise our principles. Although we do take government funds, we will not become an arm of the U.S. or any government. Although we take support from individuals, we will not require individual donors to support the entire program. Although we take money from churches and religious organizations, we will not proselytize. Although we take money from partner organizations, all Partners are required to meet certain ethical standards.
How does Atlas Corps really become sustainable?
Altas Corps will become sustainable by charging host organizations a great amount every year for the Fellows. For the pilot the cost share is $16,000, or approximately 40% of the Fellows expenses. Over about ten years, this will increase to approximately $28,000 and cover nearly 100% of the per-Fellow expenses.
Will U.S. Host Organizations keep paying a larger cost share?
We believe so. We calculate these Fellows are worth $50,000 or more to host organizations since they are experts in their field. Over time, as the Fellow prove their value more organizations will be willing to pay an increasing cost share for these Fellows.
Why do you use the term "citizen sector organization" instead of nonprofit or nongovernmental organization (NGO)?
We do not like how the citizen sector is defined in negative terms by what it is not. The citizen sector is a term commonly used by the founder’s old place of work (Ashoka/Youth Venture) and is the preferred term for Atlas Service Corps.
Is your program really unique? Who is your competition?
Absolutely. There are no programs out there that are trying to do what we are doing in the way we are doing it. Read more about our uniqueness and competition here. [make link to competition under about us
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