Institutional Donors

Heifer knows that ending world hunger and poverty is a massive undertaking. But Heifer also knows that evidence-based strategies and strong alliances make it possible. Our experience over 65 years and in more than 125 countries has shown that working directly with communities to identify their needs, assets and goals and providing them with appropriate training, livestock and organizational capacity yields long-lasting change at all levels.

Emphasizing community involvement distinguishes Heifer’s work from that of global relief organizations. When Heifer steps in, communities are provided with a values-based planning and management model to guide their development projects.

This model has its foundation in Heifer’s 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development. The Cornerstones stimulate group wisdom and personal insights, and they keep the group’s actions balanced, focused and productive. The model is highly participatory and emphasizes:

• Local ownership of the decision making process
• Commitment of local resources
• Participation of all people regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion
• Inclusion of traditional, indigenous knowledge
• Understanding that community development is a process
• Outsiders as facilitators of change

Heifer also has found that other organizations around the world want to partner with us in a global network to help further our mission. Notably, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports Heifer in implementing the East Africa Dairy Development Project, which helps rural farmers in East Africa double their incomes by increasing their production of high quality raw milk to sell to dairies.

Where to go from here:

Download our latest annual report
Review our latest IRS Form 990
Read our Impact Evaluation, conducted by Western Michigan University
Learn about our Board of Directors and Leadership Team