Heifer's Cornerstones

Heifer's Cornerstones - The Foundation of the Heifer Model

If you ask Heifer project partners, "What are the most fundamental principles upon which you build your life?" many would answer "Heifer's Cornerstones." Used for more than 65 years, these 12 Cornerstones guide communities to self-reliance.

Cornerstones stimulate group wisdom and personal insights, and they keep people's hearts, minds and actions balanced, focused and productive. Together, they form the acronym PASSING ON THE GIFTS and echo the practice that makes Heifer unique and its projects sustainable.

	Passing on the Gift allows families who received Heifer gifts to become donors as they pass on these gifts to other families in need.		Genuine Need & Justice ensures that those most in need are given priority in receiving animals and training.
	Accountability means that we are mutually accountable to the communities we serve for how we achieve common goals.		Improving the Environment through sustainable farming techniques, reforestation, and tree-saving biogas is at the core of our projects.
	Sharing & Caring embodies the belief that global problems can be solved if everyone commits to sharing resources and caring for others.		Full Participation is expected by all participants. Leaders at the grassroots level should involve all members in decision making.
	Sustainability & Self-reliance is the goal for families we work with so that they will continue to thrive after our support ends.		Training & Education are key to ensuring that animals are well cared for and that self-reliance is achieved by project participants.
	Improved Animal Management means that project participants learn how to keep their animals safe, healthy and productive.		Spirituality is expressed in common beliefs about the value and meaning of all life, a sense of connectedness to the earth and a shared vision of the future.
	Nutrition & Income are the rewards Heifer expects recipients to reap from their gift animal through the consumption and/or sale of products such as milk, eggs, cheese, honey and wool.		Gender & Family Focus encourages women and men to share in decision making as well as in the benefits the animals and training bring.