What is Kopernik’s experimental approach?

We believe that breakthrough solutions are unlikely to emerge in the course of ‘business as usual’ and that finding effective solutions to reduce poverty requires systematic efforts, risk taking, trial, error and experimentation. Through rapid testing we can collect and analyse data to determine the effectiveness of solutions faster and build a much needed pipeline of promising solutions that deserve larger-scale testing and evidence collection. Therefore, a big part of what we do is to work with partners that can adopt, test and implement the most effective solutions at a bigger scale. By sharing the findings of our experimentation with various cross-sectoral partners, we support and cultivate a strong culture of collective impact to strive to end poverty sooner.

Does Kopernik focus on any specific Sustainable Development Goals?

Kopernik is fully committed towards contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as we strive to end poverty together by 2030. We assess the value of our work against this framework before we start and all of our projects align with one or more of the goals.

What is the last mile?

The ‘last mile’ is a term we use to describe underserved communities who typically reside in remote, underdeveloped locations without access to basic services such as electricity, running water, education and health care. We place utmost importance on supporting last mile communities.

Where does Kopernik’s funding come from?

Our funding sources are diverse and come from:

  • Donations made by individuals directly to our projects
  • Donations made by funding partners such as corporations or foundations
  • Grants and awards through institutions and governments
  • Revenue from our Last Mile Consulting service

We are proud to carry the highest Guidestar acknowledgement for transparency - the Guidestar Exchange Gold seal.

How does Kopernik measure its impact?

Rigorous testing, lean research methods, feedback mechanisms and impact assessments are essential to our experimental approach so that we can find what works to reduce poverty. We align our project design processes with human centered design thinking to ensure that we outline and test clear hypotheses that keep the people we seek to serve at the forefront of mind at all times. . For this reason, we collect and analyse data in real ‘last mile’ contexts, engaging our community partners in the projects we implement and the ideas we test.

In addition, Kopernik partners with leading universities and research institutes to conduct in-depth impact assessments of selected projects, including Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Thunderbird School of Management, Keio University and IDE-JETRO.

Our technology distribution partners report to us through a standardised reporting format in which they describe the distribution mechanism they used, amount of revenue collected through product distribution, anecdotal evidence of change, user feedback and rating of the technology together with photos of the distribution process and the technologies being used.

How are the impact figures in Kopernik’s Technology Distribution with Local Partner Projects calculated?

TECHNOLOGIES DISTRIBUTED = The number of technologies which have been funded for distribution or consigned for sale. In rare instances, our tech distribution partners are unable to complete distribution of the technologies they have received. In this case, we make every effort to recover the technologies and redirect them to another project. If technologies have not been distributed and can not be recovered, we remove them from the count of technologies distributed. This has occurred in less than 2% of projects implemented to date.

PEOPLE SERVED = The number of technologies distributed multiplied by the average number of people who benefit from access to that technology. For example, we calculate that household-level technologies such as solar lights, water filters and clean cookstoves benefit five people, based on average family size. Meanwhile large water filters distributed to schools and emergency centres benefit 20 people on average, and clean birth kits benefit two people - mother and newborn baby.

COUNTRIES REACHED = the number of countries in which Kopernik has distributed technologies, through both donor-funded projects and consultancies.

PROJECTS FUNDED = The number of individual technology distribution projects funded by donors and consulting clients. Kopernik is committed to transparency, knowledge-sharing, and illuminating the development process. Complete details of all crowdfunded projects, including budget breakdowns and project reports, are published on our website. Some ongoing initiatives and consulting projects are not listed on our website, as the activities go beyond technology distribution and do not easily fit into our standard project format.

How can I donate money to Kopernik?

You can help us support people living in poverty via the following options:

  • Become a monthly donor. Commit to donating $50, $100 or $200 each month and we will then allocate these funds to the project that is closest to being fully funded.
  • Become a project donor. Choose a project from our project list and pitch in any amount you’d like to help that project reach full funding.
  • Donate to us via our offline options. You can donate by check, money order or bank transfer. We use these donations to fund our operations, helping the Kopernik team to continue to innovate.

For checks or money orders (USA-issued), please send donations in US dollars (USD) to:
Kopernik
228 Park Ave S #73293
New York, New York 10003
USA
Please provide your email or mailing address, so that we can thank you and send you a receipt.

For bank transfers in USA, please transfer donations to Kopernik Solutions in US dollars (USD) to:
Bank: Chase
Branch: Brooklyn Trust 28, 277 Montague St, Brooklyn NY 11201 USA
Account Name: Kopernik Solutions
Account Number: 839226248
ABA: 021000021
SWIFT: CHASUS33

Bank transfers in Japan, please transfer donations to Kopernik Japan in Japanese yen (JPY) to:
Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Branch: Akasaka
Account Name: Kopernik Japan
Account Number: 825-9069241 (825: Branch Code)
Address: 3-3-5 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan
SWIFT: SMBCJPJT

For bank transfers in Indonesia, please transfer donations to Yayasan Kopernik in Indonesian rupiah (IDR) to:
Bank: Bank Mandiri
Branch: KCP Ubud 14510
Customer Name: Yayasan Kopernik
Account Number: 145-00-1804889-8
SWIFT: BMRIIDJA

Please let us know your name, the amount you donated and your payment reference number so that we can look out for your donation, say thank you and send you a receipt. Please email these details to customer@kopernik.info

What kind of information do I receive about a project when I donate to Kopernik?

We value the support of each and every one of our donors, and we look forward to sharing updates and stories about the impact of the project in the last mile. If you opt in to receive project update emails, we will send you updates at specific milestones throughout the project so that you know what we are doing and the impact the project is making.

What if my total donation for a project is in excess of the project budget?

If you donate more than the final amount remaining for a project to become fully funded, we will ask you via email which other project you would like us to allocate the surplus funds towards.

Can I get a tax receipt for my donation?

We send all donors a receipt when you make a donation.

  • American Donors:
    Kopernik has received 501(c)(3) tax exempt status under the United States Internal Revenue Code from the Internal Revenue Services of the United States of America (the “IRS”). Thus, Kopernik can treat itself as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) and your contributions will be tax-deductible against certain federal income taxation in the United States of America.
  • Australian Donors:
    Kopernik partners with the World Relief Overseas Aid Fund by acting as its agent for fundraising and the delivery of our projects in South East Asia. Tax-deductible donations can be made via this secure payment gateway with options for credit card, cheque and EFT. All donations of AU$2 and over received via this link will be recorded through the issue of an annual statement from World Relief Australia (WRA) at the end of financial year. Australian donations made direct through the Kopernik website will not be tax-deductible.
  • Other Donors:
    For other donors, please be advised that Kopernik does not currently have tax exempt status under the laws of any other jurisdiction. We would advise that all donors take appropriate professional advice in respect of the tax status of their donations. Kopernik may apply for tax exempt status in other jurisdictions in the future.