human tribe project

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How it Started

In early 2008, Jaclyn Foutz learned that her longtime friend, Kindra McLennan, had just been diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer. Not knowing how to help Kindra, who lived 1,500 miles away, Jaclyn did what anyone thirty-something would do: she turned to Google®. Her search turned up various websites listing ways to help support and encourage a friend through cancer, and of those, some even suggested fundraising ideas. Realizing that they couldn't be there to hold Kindra’s hand through the chemotherapy and radiation, Jaclyn and her friends decided to raise money for Kindra and her husband to relieve the financial burden associated with her cancer treatment. Jaclyn found websites suggesting fundraising options, but all seemed too local and small in scope to have the kind of impact she and her friends wanted. At the time, Jaclyn’s husband, Ryan Foutz, his brother, Matt Foutz, and Ryan’s childhood friend, Steve Bever, owned a wholesale jewelry company. They donated turquoise beads, and Jaclyn and her friends sold turquoise necklaces in support of Kindra. They sold the necklaces in-person to friends, relatives and coworkers, and by e-mail to people in Kindra's support network all across the country.

The project was a huge success; they sold 350 necklaces and raised over $10,000. They were inspired by the breadth of Kindra’s network of friends and the willingness of complete strangers to buy the necklaces.

Initially, Kindra refused to take handouts from her friends and family; however, when she knew her friends and family were receiving a necklace in return for their monetary donation, her concerns were alleviated. And, when she saw everyone from her best friend to her chemotherapy nurse wearing the necklaces, she felt an emotional support as great as the financial support she received from their purchase.

After extensive research, Jaclyn and Ryan learned that there were no resources available to do what they did on a larger, commercial scale. They found companies selling products in an effort to raise money for non-profits, foundations or research institutions, but none raised money directly for individuals during their time of need.

During their research process, they were astonished to learn about the financial burden that individuals suffering from an illness often face. For breast cancer alone, it is estimated that out-of-pocket expenditures and lost-income costs for women with insurance coverage average $1,455.00 per month. The majority of those out-of-pocket costs are related to co-payments, hospitalizations and specialist visits. (1) In 2006, twenty five percent of cancer patients reported to use all or most of their savings dealing with cancer. (2) And, approximately fifty percent of all personal bankruptcies filed in the United States are filed due to medical expenses. (3) Furthermore, research has found that there is a strong connection between emotional support and healthcare outcomes. (4) They found these statistics astounding; there was a better way to aid individuals and enhance the benefits of strong support networks.

Through all of this, Jaclyn, Ryan, Matt and Steve saw firsthand the power of the humanitarian spirit and how that spirit connects us all. It was from this experience that Human Tribe Project was born.

Why we are not a non-profit

Jaclyn, Ryan, Matt and Steve initially tried to incorporate Human Tribe Project as a non-profit organization but tax regulations wouldn’t allow it. Ultimately, however, they embraced the for-profit model as one that is more efficient and self-sustaining and ultimately would allow more money to be given to Beneficiaries. Human Tribe Project does not depend on donations; it does not require annual fundraisers or solicitations; it is not overseen by a regulatory committee. Instead, Human Tribe Project is a for-profit business founded on and driven by the humanitarian spirit.

Jaclyn, Ryan, Matt and Steve often discuss the benefits of an economic model where for-profit businesses would consider the social needs of the community along with their bottom line. They never imagined that Kindra’s tragedy would be the catalyst for creating this business model, but the outpouring of support for Kindra in her time of need inspired us all.

Human Tribe Project is operated by people who believe in the intrinsic goodness of human beings and it is designed to show the world what good things can be done when it is harnessed in a collective voice.

(1)"The Financial Burden of Cancer: Estimates From A Study of Insured Women With Breast Cancer." The Journal of Supportive Oncology, May/June 2004.

(2)USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health Cancer Survey (conducted August 1-September 14, 2006).

(3)Himmelstein, D, E. Warren, D. Thorne, and S. Woolhander, "Illness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy, " Health Affairs Web Exclusive W5-63, 02 February , 2005.

(4)Clark, Paul Alexander M.P.A. et al. "Addressing Patients’ Emotional and Spiritual Needs." The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Safety, 29 (2003).

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