TGUP’s vision is embodied in our motto: “Even the greatest waterfall starts with a single drop of water.” There are three parts implicit in this phrase.

First is many small donations. Those are the drops in the motto. We call it “pocket change.” It’s whatever amount is small enough that the donor won’t miss it; like the pocket change you found in the couch. It’s so small you forgot you had it, so you didn’t miss it.

Second is collective action. TGUP combines all of those drops—the many small donations—into investments in small scale educational infrastructure in the developing world. Those are the classrooms, science labs, playgrounds, and other projects you see us doing.

Third, we specifically look for high impact projects. This is the effect of many combined drops. Maybe a school is lacking only electricity, or maybe new latrines, or a playground.

The totality of this is the waterfall in the motto. There are two parts: Bigger people here at home; and a Better world “out there.” Is it working? We’ve helped more than 3.3 million of the poorest people in the world have a better chance in life. And more than 100,000 donors feel better about themselves because they’ve helped others, and seen it work.