Social Finance


Our Commitment to Social Finance

Creativity is defined in a lot of ways but the essence usually has something to do with the following explanation: 

the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations.

I believe each and every soul is bestowed with unique-as-a-thumbprint, divine creativity, which can be used in accordance with our free will. For me, creating for the sole purpose of hyper-profit has never felt aligned with my values. For a long time, it seems that creating for the purpose of  hyper-profit was the only "correct" way to operate a business.  I didn't realize that limiting belief was gooseneck-ing my own creativity.  After doing some inner work around this belief, I feel grateful to finally see another perspective on profit and business. 

The perspective, or more aptly, the نِيَّةٌ (niyaat: the intention in ones heart) I choose to operate Bismillah Babe from is as a vehicle, " to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others." 

What this means to me is that we can leverage business and profit to of course increase our own personal quality of life yes, AND also provide problem solving alternatives or possibilities within the communities that we benefit from.  That feels like the true definition of finance to me (which was my major in college but I just didn't fit in that environment and now I understand why)


Donations

With that said, in our first year of operation, a portion of our profits will be donated equally to the following communities:

  • Native American Community Clinic (Minneapolis, MN) : Promoting the health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit in Native American families. Visit website here.
  • YEAH Philly (Philadelphia, PA) : YEAH elevates the experiences of Black teens and young adults in Philadelphia and through community investment, reduces youth violence in West and Southwest neighborhoods. Visit website here.
  • Queer Crescent (USA) : Working to provide a national healing centered political organization that builds power through a visionary framework grounded in the radical possibilities of our community. Visit website here. 

  • Lets Hope (K@bul, Af_hani$tan) : providing on the ground, direct in-to-the-hands of people, economical aid. Visit website here.
  • Asiyah Women's Center (Brooklyn, NYC): providing Muslim and bipoc women shelter from domestic violence. Visit website here.