In case you haven’t noticed, the modern consumer is looking for two things: digital solutions and giveback options. Eat My Lunch, Goodfor, TOMS, Bombas, Smile Squared…have all built giving back into their business model – buy one and we’ll donate to someone in need.
The idea being that, through these businesses, consumers can help to create a more egalitarian world, and help narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots. This is a sentiment close to Nevil Chand’s heart.
After a secure career as a financial adviser with major insurers
Tower and AMP, Chand decided to give his “buy one – we’ll donate” idea a go and started his brokerage Evolve, which offers all personal insurance.
Through The Evolve Foundation, a separate entity and registered charity, Chand fulfils his philanthropic ambitions. Evolve recently celebrated its first birthday, and, according to the Charities Register, The Evolve Foundation was registered on November 25, 2016.
Evolve aims to donate 40% (at the moment it’s averaging 44%) of it net profits to The Evolve Foundation. To date, Evolve has donated $8,771.06 – from September 2016 to March 2017, Evolve donated $7,396.99, and from April 2017 until today, Evolve has donated $1,374.07.
Transparency is an important component of the Evolve model and, because of this and charity requirements, Chand publishes how much is being donated to the foundation, as well as the amount generated from policies sold. You can view how much is generated from the policies, as well as client reviews on its website.
“I believe that transparency leads to trust, and that trust is the core element to a good relationship,” Chand said. “I believe that deeply, even on a personal level.
“I intend to deliver on my promise. Clients have chosen me because of what I’m doing, so they need to know what Evolve has got and how much is donated (to the foundation).”
The purpose of Evolve is not to create large amounts of profit, but to better serve the community and society through the foundation, and, ultimately, to better serve humanity, Chand added.
The foundation recently collaborated with Auckland-based Piano Traders to donate 18 musical instruments to Auckland’s Ronald McDonald House Charities to enhance their existing on-site school’s musical curriculum.
Chand said two of Evolve’s clients are now volunteering fortnightly at the school by teaching music. As well as supporting charities, Chand also wants to encourage and create a volunteering programme that his clients can participate in.
“The foundation’s goal is to collaborate with existing charities to help them achieve their objectives. If a charity needs a plumber, then the foundation could pay for it. We’re not in competition (with charities), we’d rather collaborate with them,” Chand said.
He added that his insurance style appeals to people who want to “do something good” through their insurance purchases, and to people who might not have a lot of disposable income but who still want to support businesses that donate back to their communities.
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