• Two nonprofit workers started The Adventure Project to create new opportunities to give wisely.
• Their first project is to redefine the “coal for Christmas” with a gift whose proceeds fund efficient stoves for Haiti.
• They invite anyone to join “The Tribe” to fight poverty with us through investing in social ventures.

It takes passion and know-how to change the world, and that’s what the Adventure Project is all about. Launched by Jody Landers — founder of Water4Christmas — and Becky Straw—formerly with charity: water — the nonprofit draws on their experience of channeling passion and getting things done.

Their first effort is the Coal Project, where you can give coal for Christmas and help people in Haiti.

We talked with Landers and Straw to learn more about The Adventure Project.

What prompted you to launch the Adventure Project?

Landers: Becky and I come from very different backgrounds, but share the same beliefs. She has spent the last 10 years researching and working on international social welfare issues. She got her master’s degree from Columbia before working at the United Nations and start-ups like charity: water.

As she worked throughout Africa and Haiti, she realized what people want more than anything is the opportunity to earn a living. To raise healthy families. She began to dream about how to guide donors to give wisely in ways that save lives, while at the same time creating jobs.

As Becky and I chatted about it, I could see how the pieces fit. People, like me, at home raising our own families are eager to “do something.” My husband and I have six kids, two of whom we adopted from Sierra Leone. We have wanted our children to learn that they are part of a global community. We want to give outside of ourselves. But sometimes, we just don’t know what is truly helpful.

I have feared that my good intentions and “charity” may often leave in my wake a broken human spirit. And obviously I did not want to do that. And I believe there are many others like me. We just need some direction, some channeling.

So it has been exciting to bring them together… the energy and passion of people who care. And then couple it with the wise experience and knowledge that creates opportunities for us all to give wisely.

It sounds like you’re a nonprofit helping nonprofits. Isn’t that just an extra layer of bureaucracy? Why is your work necessary?

Straw: We believe we bring an extra layer of value and accountability. There are so many charities out there, it’s hard to know where to give. We visit every project and select the best organizations around the world. We have the technical expertise and knowledge to tell donors—this is the real deal, and here’s how you can make a difference.

By educating and engaging supporters, we are amplifying the work of our partners, which allows them to focus on their programs in the field. Someone just e-mailed us today and described us as a “kick-starter” for other nonprofits. We think that’s cool.

Your first effort is the Coal Project — why should people be giving away coal for Christmas? Isn’t that usually a gift for naughty boys and girls?

Landers: Well, that used to be true. We want to redefine the whole ‘coal for Christmas’ threat. Now you can get coal in your stocking not because you were naughty but you were nice. It’s a fun way to connect people to the cause. It’s something fun, tangible, provokes conversation and ultimately changes the lives of people in Haiti. Each box of coal sold for $20 will provide a family in a tent camp in Port Au Prince with a charcoal-efficient stove. A portion of the funds also go towards helping our partner organization in Haiti, International Lifeline Fund, build a local stove production factory and train women in how to be micro-entrepreneurs, selling the stoves throughout the country.

You both have been supporters of charity: water in the past — now you’re branching out with this new venture. Do you ever feel a bit of cause overload?

Straw: No way. I think we’ve only skimmed the surface of what we’re capable of.

There is so much potential to invest wisely in the lives of others around the world. If you’ve met the amazing people we have, you’d want to give them the opportunity to succeed too.

The “tribe” seems like a big part of your organization. Who are they and what do they do? And how can our readers be a part of the tribe?

Landers: The Tribe is a group of people committed to fighting poverty with us through investing in social ventures. It goes back to the idea that there is a movement of people… people who may not be celebrities or billionaires or Harvard Business School grads… but they care. They want to be given the chance to be involved in real change. So we are trying to channel that energy by inviting those people to join us. We work hard on educating this group on the issues and solutions. And then we give them practical ways to take the message to their spheres of influence. We didn’t want to embark on this adventure alone. So we are building a team, a Tribe.

Anyone can join The Tribe. Apply here. “We are thrilled to partner with so many amazing people,” Landers said.