History

eBay Foundation has focused on creating economic opportunity and supporting entrepreneurs for many years. One of eBay Foundation’s early grants, a partnership with SeniorNet, was aimed at bridging the digital divide. The program provided seniors with access to technology and education through the launch of ten computer training centers around the U.S. In 2003, as part of a new focus around fostering entrepreneurship and microenterprise development, eBay Foundation embarked on a multi-year partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO). The program, Techquity, helped nearly 600 microentrepreneurs acquire much needed technology for their businesses, and improved the technology capacity of ten microenterprise partner organizations nationwide.

In its support for microenterprise, eBay Foundation partnered with organizations like The Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) to pilot microinsurance products for low-income borrowers in Latin America, Aid to Artisans to develop a health and safety training manual used by artisan groups around the world, and MicroMentor to scale their online program that matches microentrepreneurs with business mentors. In San Jose, eBay Foundation supported Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Loan program, providing individualized business advising to over 1,300 local entrepreneurs. In total, the microenterprise grants served over 100,000 microentrepreneurs and enabled over $15 million in loans.

eBay Foundation also joins eBay in coordinated disaster response efforts in the wake of natural disasters. Our businesses enable global fundraising from our customers, and the Foundation provides financial assistance to provide relief for people impacted by devastating events.

eBay Foundation reaches out directly to potential partner organizations for information or receives recommendations for GIVE Team grants directly from our employees, and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Thank you.