In late October, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) completed a two-part assessment of the financial soundness and organizational responsibility of Heifer International. The organization gave Heifer high marks all around, pre-approving its ability to manage USAID funds according to government requirements. USAID also recommended advance payments for future grants.
The auditor’s report on the pre-award survey said, “From the committed staff to the strong controls and best of the practices that I have ever seen in grants management, I firmly believe that Heifer International will be a great asset to USAID’s portfolio of implementing partners.”
Heifer has previously partnered with USAID on sustainable development projects around the world. Most recently, Heifer made an $885,285 agreement with USAID to help implement a project that will allow thousands of smallholder farming families to receive veterinary attention for their livestock since services were disrupted by the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. The project, Helping Earthquake Affected Livestock in Nepal (HEAL-Nepal), will allow families in five of the most heavily damaged districts to obtain vaccines, dewormings and other healthcare for their animals. USAID is providing $750,007 for the project. Heifer is making up the remaining $135,278.
