Countless charities aim to offer relief to individuals who are living in poverty. However, there are only a limited number of organizations that offer assistance to individuals who are on the edge of bankruptcy or default. Modest Needs has the unique objective of helping people who have difficulty paying their bills, but can’t qualify for conventional assistance because they’re not poor enough. 

In many cases, the people that Modest Needs helps are those who have faced a single unexpected crisis, and subsequently had difficulty getting back on track without some help. Through timely intervention, the organization stops a vicious cycle of poverty. It's aim is to restore the financial sufficiency of people who have the willingness and capability to work, but are temporarily unable to do so. 

The process works mainly through the Modest Needs website. Donors are asked to register on the website and look into applicants’ needs. They will then “vote” using the points they purchased with credit. Once an application gets enough points, the funds are released. The good thing about Modest Needs is that its assistance is so targeted. Many recipients of the program become donors themselves, after their personal crisis has passed.  

Modest Needs was founded in 2002. Since its inception, it has already received awards for its innovative approach to helping hard-working, low-income workers. These households are often ignored by conventional non-profit organizations because they are usually self-sufficient. The fact that Modest Needs has recognized such challenges for those families – not to mention helping 9,973 individuals, as well – is testament to the organization’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary poverty.