Helping Others to Help Others
Ripple invests in local entrepreneurs. As they sustain various enterprises, they give back to our community of individual nonprofits.
The usual funding model
Donor gives to nonprofit. The gift is depleted. The nonprofit comes back to the donor.
We found a better way
How the Ripple works
01 Invest
Ripple funds are used to grow an entrepreneurs business.
02 Hire
The business grows and creates employment opportunities in the Lowcountry community.
03 Give
The entrepreneur pays a percentage of their net profits back to the Ripple Fund.
04 Reinvest
The principal backs the next entrepreneur. And it starts again.
Jerry Scheer and Mark Cumins, founders of The Ripple Fund
It starts with belief
“To give is to receive.”
When the first TBonz opened in Athens, Georgia on May 14th 1985, we had no idea where we would be today. We thought, let’s do this restaurant thing until we “grow up” and then at that point, we can go and get “real jobs”. Well, that was 40 years ago so that means either we have yet to grow up, or that this is our real job. Fast forward to today, Ripple, and the deeds it has been able to accomplish, has become the personification of that small restaurant group, 40 years later.
— Jerry Scheer & Mark Cumins
01
Business is sustained and Grows through investment, and jobs are created
Your plate is part of the ripple.
Every meal at Berkeley’s and Archer helps fund Lowcountry nonprofits.
“Ripple believed in our vision for Berkeley’s and helped make it a reality.”
Liz and Marc Hudacsko, owners
As it grows, it shares part of its success with The Ripple Fund.
Strengthening the
Lowcountry.
The Ripple so far
invested in the Charleston community
The Green Heart Project
Ripple puts that money to work for Lowcountry nonprofits.
Plant-based food for those facing a health crisis
Walking with our elders
Preparing students for what’s after graduation
School gardens and urban farms
And the circle keeps going
We are just beginning
Building a business?
Forty years ago, we opened one small restaurant and figured we’d get “real jobs” later. We’re still here, and still building. If you have a business idea that could make the Lowcountry stronger, we’d love to hear it.