Tag Archives: Nonprofit

From the Field: Expertise Ensures Project Sustainability

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This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field” section. Expertise

The sustainability of Heifer International’s projects rely on expertise. Project participants, partner organizations, local authorities and veterinarians provide that expertise, ensuring the work’s long-term impact.

Pigs are the main livestock in Mountain Province in the Philippines. Between original and pass on families, 1,000 families have been affected by Heifer’s swine projects. Due to the number of people who have worked with Heifer in the area, the possibility of inbreeding is high, which results in low-quality piglets. Heifer Philippines staff in response to this threat contacted the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) regional office to request a new bloodline. Dr. Anthony Bantog, regional chief of the Livestock Division and also a member of Heifer Philippines Country Program Advisory Committee, facilitated the process. Five Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) received new boars and will receive training and artificial insemination (AI) equipment. The CAHWs have a deeper understanding of AI practices and bloodlines. They will lend their new-found expertise to others in their communities, guaranteeing the swine breeding will successfully continue.

Expertise

Photo courtesy of Heifer International

Heifer collaborates with experienced partner organizations in its projects. Heifer Nepal and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working together for the third time, are rehabilitating families affected by conflict. During the 10 years of civil unrest between the then Maoist Rebels and the government, many people disappeared. The livelihoods of these families were disrupted when the bread-winning relation went missing. Heifer’s development model and ICRC’s Psychosocial Support Framework combine to intervene and support the Nepalese as they manage their grief while simultaneously helping them improve their livelihoods. The prowess of the two organizations formed the groundwork for the favorable, long-lasting outcome of this intervention.

The Vayots Dzor region of Armenia remains a tourist attraction, noted for the landscape’s beauty and the quality of the honey produced there. Students have joined Heifer Armenia’s beekeeping project and are using the generated income to pay for their university educations. Beekeeping is a labor-intensive process; the bees require specific conditions to thrive. Lilit Khachatryan, an active project participant and fourth-year student at Giteliq University, attends all Heifer’s training on beekeeping practices. Knowledge and experience are necessary for prosperous hives. She has learned from her father, an experience beekeeper, the technicalities of beekeeping. By utilizing her father’s expertise and Heifer’s training, Lilit has become a successful beekeeper.

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Global Journal Ranks Heifer No. 12 Among Top 100 NGOs

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Photo by Russell Powell, courtesy of Heifer International
We are honored that the Global Journal ranked Heifer International No. 12 in its first international ranking of nongovernmental organizations. Heifer was selected because its “inexpensive and uncomplicated formula for development has seen improvements in health, nutrition and income as well as increased gender equity and family values for its recipients across-the-board.”
The Global Journal, which “waded through a sea of annual reports, project documentation and testimonials,” to determine the rankings, sought to honor top NGOs who exhibit “the power of a great idea, well-executed.” The Geneva and New York-based publication features innovative and influential ideas, in-depth reports, compelling images and global leaders, and is dedicated to reflecting the international community of decision makers.
The list reads like a Who’s Who of impactful and important organizations such as Partners in Health, Oxfam, International Rescue Committee and Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), but Heifer is honored to be first organization listed whose programs are solely aimed at sustainable development.
As the Global Journal reports, “Heifer has seen tremendous success … where farmers have, together with Heifer staff, collectively identified target areas for community improvement as well as set up participatory cooperative groups to share skills and generate joint decision-making.”
“This is another amazing honor for the work that we do in partnership with our families everyday,” said Pierre Ferrari, president and CEO of Heifer International. Previously, the organization has received the Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Prize, been recognized by Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, as well as by Forbes, Fast Company and Business Week magazines. The organization’s former longtime president, Jo Luck, was also named a co-laureate of the prestigious World Food Prize in 2010.

Heifer Staff in Busan to Talk Aid Effectiveness

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The Fourth Level High Forum on Aid Effectiveness is taking place this week in Busan, Korea. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and delegates from non-governmental organizations around the globe are among the participants.

HLF-4: Building a new global partnership for effective development from BusanHLF4 on Vimeo.

Heifer International has been represented at the forum by our Senior Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rienzzie Kern. Kern presented examples of Heifer’s work and outlined key lessons, opportunities and challenges.

Kern said:

Development professionals from around the world have gathered in Busan to consider ways and means to deliver development aid more effectively. The intent is to ensure that every dollar spent is yielding the desired results for the poor of the world. This is particularly important given the continued increase in the number of poor and hungry in our world. The group consists of ministers, heads of large donor agencies, delegates from nonprofit organizations and members of grassroots movements. Heifer was present to share its experiences in scaling up its program in partnership with the private sector. There is much thought now given to the potential that could arise if nonprofits partner with the private sector to more effectively build on synergies to feed the world.

Are NGOs Doing More Harm Than Good in Haiti?

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Haiti is now believed to have more NGOs than any other country—as many as 10,000. That’s a good thing, right? After all, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere seems to be pounded by a new natural disaster or disease outbreak every few months. But debate over the benefit of so many NGOs is growing, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal:
“Defenders of NGOs say there is no choice but to work through charities given the inefficiency and alleged corruption of Haiti’s government. … Critics say the NGOs have put Haiti in a Catch-22: By building a parallel state that is more powerful than Haiti’s own government, aid groups are ensuring Haiti never develops and remains dependent on charities.”

The article, paraphrasing an advisor to the prime minister, says that “the NGO presence has permanently ‘infantilized’ the country, creating a vicious cycle: The government lacks the money—and historically, the inclination—to provide social services. Those services, therefore, are provided by NGOs, which means the government, in turn, has no incentive to improve.”
What’s the solution, then? Kick out all the NGOs? No, because there are plenty of good NGO’s doing good work in Haiti.
Leave it up to Dr. Paul Farmer, medical superhero and founder of Partners in Health, to come up with a controversial solution. Farmer suggests channeling some of the aid money through the government, thereby improving the state while also making it more accountable.
For a harsher view of all the new NGOs that have inundated Haiti in the last year, read Rory Carroll’s blog post from The Guardian, “Save haiti from aid tourists.” There’s really no way around it—you’ll either nod your head in agreement with him or you’ll be sorely offended. Which was it for you?

They’re giving how much?

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It’s hard for most of us to imagine having more money than we could ever use. But if you had it, what would you do with it?

The news came out this week that trailblazing philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett have convinced 40 other billionaires to give away at least half their wealth. That’s a lot of cash to help end hunger, fight disease, provide education and generally make things better.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg said it was an easy decision because it makes more sense to give money away rather than letting family members inherit it all.

“And if you really care about your family, I’ve always thought that the best thing to do is to make the world better for your kids and your grandkids rather than just give them some money,” he says in a story on npr.org.

All that cash headed to nonprofits is great, especially in these rough economic times. What’s even better? Buffett said the real push behind this wave of pledges is to inspire even more giving.

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Bill & Melinda Gates have helped to Pass on the Gift before — Follow their philanthrophic direction today and Give the Gift of Hope.

Nonprofit Organizations: The Next Career Frontier

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This post was contributed by Heifer Staff Writer Brooke Edwards
I read a post on Brazen Careerist this morning titled, “11 Reasons Why New College Grads Should Pursue Nonprofit Careers.” The author, Rosetta Thurman, reflects on how many young adults, fresh out of college, might do well to consider the nonprofit sector as their professional entry point. Having worked almost exclusively for nonprofit organizations, I would say that Thurman’s advice applies to just about anybody looking for a job. Here’s a quick look at her 11 reasons.

1. Nonprofit doesn’t mean “no money.”
2. Nonprofits are still hiring.
3. It’s easy to know where to start your job search.
4. Your degree is transferable to the nonprofit sector
5. Entry-level nonprofit salaries are similar to for-profit ones.
6. You’re more likely to get a fancy job title.
7. You gain experience outside of your job description.
8. You get access to higher-ups.
9. Your organization will have a better reputation than most for-profit companies.
10. You’ll have an instant network of peers.
11. Your work will matter.

I think the shining star on this list is number seven. Gaining experience outside of your position is what makes working at a nonprofit a great idea for folks looking to branch out of their for-profit molds, whether voluntarily or out of necessity brought on by a reduction in work force. In every position I have held at a nonprofit, I have had the chance to take on projects outside of my job description from the very start. While it’s always fun to try your hand at something completely new, the long-term benefit comes when you’re applying for your dream job and find that these little, extra experiences pave the way for a new career. Or you just might find that you’ve landed your dream job already.

Ms. Thurman’s post mentions Idealist.org as a resource for starting your job search in the nonprofit world. Here are a few more to add to your pile.

• Your local craigslist.org site;
• And, of course, http://www.heifer.org

Have you found your dream job at a nonprofit? What tools did you use to find your position? Or, are you currently looking to get into the nonprofit sector? What challenges have you encountered?

On Overhead and Ethical High Horses

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Dan Pallotta’s Harvard Business Review blog posted this week turns conflict of interest on its head.

Pallotta, author of the book Uncharitable, writes regularly about how an emphasis created by watchdogs on keeping overhead costs low is often counter to the effectiveness of nonprofit work. In the blog, he ponders questions like “What if a nonprofit board feels pressure from the media and watchdog agencies to reduce overhead, but it knows that doing so will inhibit the organization’s progress and ultimately undermine donor intent? Then the board of directors has a conflict of interest.”

Few things get people on their ethical high horses faster than conflicts of interest, he says. So check out his arguments and see what you think.

Artwork from deviantart.com