foundation for sustainable development

africa asia latin america

annual report 2007/2008

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Introduction

Country Profi les

Argentina

Bolivia

Uganda

India

Kenya

Nicaragua

Grant Program

People

Finances

Established in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) works with over 200 community-based organizations (CBOs) to create lasting solutions to development issues in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. FSD provides these organizations with training, funding, and human resources so that they may apply practical solutions to the specifi c problems facing their community. Hundreds of individuals are sent into the fi eld each year to collaborate with our partner organizations to create new initiatives to achieve change. Our international programs have continued to expand in the face of a declining economy and unexpected obstacles, like the forced closure of our Kenya site due to political turmoil. Recently, we’ve taken a fresh approach to more closely align our Service-Learning Trips with the goals of CBOs and university partnerships. Th is revised approach is just one of many developments we’ve incorporated this year so that we may better serve communities across the globe.

Direct to NGOTh e “Direct to

NGO” grants were piloted at our founding site in Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua. Twelve local partner organizations attended the preliminary grant proposal writing workshops, and seven of these organizations submitted proposals to FSD to compete for two $5,000 grants. Th e award decision was diffi cult because of the impressive quality of the proposals, but in the end, ALTERNATIVA (Association for Equitable Economic Development) and CODESCO (Cooperativa de Desarrollo Social Comunitario) were the recipients of the fi rst round of grants. Both grants will support livelihoods projects that build trade skills to increase income potential for impoverished communities. Th e successful pilot Direct to NGO grant program in Nicaragua will be continued in 2009 and hopefully expanded to FSD’s sites worldwide.

New SF Offi ceIn Fall of 2007, FSD moved into its new

headquarters at 517 Potrero Avenue located in San Francisco’s Mission District after having outgrown its space in the Flood Building on Market Street. Th e new offi ce occupies a converted Victorian duplex complete with multiple offi ce rooms, conference space, and kitchen/break room with a spacious backyard. We have certainly come a long way since FSD’s beginnings in founder Alicia Robb’s home!

Site Team ExpansionIn 2008, FSD opened site team locations in

Masaka (Uganda) and Jodhpur (India). Sites in Ambato (Ecuador), Puno (Peru), and Mbale (Uganda) were closed. FSD has focused its

site team expansion eff orts in regions where the potential for partnerships with local community based organizations that share our development model are strongest. FSD currently partners with over 200 local grassroots organizations, up from 140 in 2006. We are proud to report that FSD now maintains at least three full-time staff ers at each of

its site locations, all of which now operate 365 days out of the year. By keeping a permanent presence, our site teams are able to amplify the impact of FSD’s work by creating lasting bonds with local residents and establishing roots in local economies.

On the following pages you will fi nd participant refl ections as well as information about recently funded projects from all of our sites in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. FSD’s work would not be possible without the ongoing contribution and support of our board and donors, not to mention our international and headquarter’s staff . Th ank you and enjoy!

From the Executive Director:

FSD annual report 07/083 Eric Younger

Health

Human Rights

Environment

Women’s Empowerment

Community Development

Youth and Education

Micro-Enterprise

program

FSD by the numbers in 07/08...

193 internships and volunteer placements in 9 sites

7 service learning trips with more than 105 participants

$207,371 in grants to our community-based partner organizations

+60% growth in local investments worldwide

FSD works with local grass-roots organizations in:

Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua

Cochabamba, Bolivia

La Plata, Argentina

Kakamega, Kenya

Udaipur, India

Jinja, Uganda

Masaka, Uganda

Mombasa, Kenya

Jodhpur, India

locations

FSD annual report 07/08

$53,707 awarded in grant competition

200participants placed in over partner organizations

argentinaargentina FSD supports the implementation of criticial environmental initiatives around the world. Th e organization takes a holistic approach to the most pressing human development and environmental issues. By supporting grassroots projects related to health, education, appropriate technology, human rights, women’s empowerment, and micro-fi nance, FSD makes it possible for communities to improve their environments. Lastly FSD moblilizes and trains interns who return home and infuse the knowledge they gained overseas into their daily lives.

—Sarah KinosiannUniversity of Pennsylvania

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During his internship in Argentina, FSD intern Trey Watkins identifi ed a need for knowledge and empowerment in the community about HIV, its transmission, and its reality. In order to reduce the stereotype against HIV-positive individuals and empower those individuals already infected so that they could, as he put it, “begin to live with HIV rather than die from it,” Trey implemented a documentary photography project. Th e project utilized the Photovoice method–which allowed individuals to use photography to tell their own story, rather than to have their story be told for them.

Jennifer Drapisch worked with Centro de Entrenamiento para la Producción (CEP), an NGO established to assist small and medium sized businesses (PYMES) through technological development and business training. Her greatest accomplishment with this organization was built around a personal idea utilizing their resources to create a consulting and training project within the marginalized areas of the local community. Th rough research she conducted, she was able to write and win a grant proposal for a consulting project working with a few local comedores in the Buenos Aires province and led workshops in social entrepreneurship for cooperatives.

recentprojects

FSD annual report 07/085

boliviabolivia FSD is a fantastic organization that has given me the

opportunity to be part of sustainable development in the

fi eld through hands-on experience. In Bolivia, we work

with over 35 NGO’s in Cochabamba who are dedicated

to various development areas such as human/women’s

rights, environment and natural resources, microfi nance,

education, and public health. Th rough FSD, I have gained

greater perspective on the hardwork involved in getting

development projects up and running.

—Jason LevisonU.S. Corps of Engineers

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Chris Laurent worked for 14 years in the fi nancial sector before volunteering with FSD’s ProCorps program for 12 weeks outside of Cochabamba, Bolivia. During his three months in the fi eld, he worked with a microfi nance institution in Carrasco, Tiraque, and Arani. He contributed to the operational development of this institution which serves rural farmers, and upon returning to the United States, launched a new career in

international microfi nance.

Sarah Connette worked at Centro Integral Warmi, a small non-profi t community center in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia. In addition to running a day-care center and a library, Warmi operates a soap factory that employs ten mothers in the community. Sarah interviewed women who worked at the organization and created a brochure about them including the story of the Centro Productivo. Th is brochure will be included when the soap is sold to inform buyers about the product and

the lives of the women in Cochabamba.

recentprojects

6FSD annual report 07/08

ugandauganda

My experience in Uganda changed the way I think

about development and made me realize the importance

of grassroots approaches and stakeholder participation.

I would recommend this program to anyone in the least

bit interested in international development--I learned

more from my co-workers and host family than I ever

would have in school.

—Erin HernUniversity of Southern California

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Vu Ndlovu spent 10 weeks interning with the Organization for the Good Life of the Marginalized, a group that works chiefl y with underserved women and children. Vu worked to create income-generating projects mainly for grandmothers who must care for grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. Using FSD grant money as a capital loan investment, intial funds from successful projects were recycled back into the community in the form of new low-interest loans for other enterprising grandmothers.

A former civil engineer, John Allen worked with the Busoga Trust, a water and sanitation organization in rural Uganda, to facilitate the construction of shallow well sources and other clean water sources. Th rough the construction of hand-dug wells (as opposed to boreholes), John observed participants coming together as a community.

Paula Hunt worked with Jinja Cooperative Savings and Credit Society to train local women of the Walukuba Maama Development Association on basic business skills and practices. In addition to facilitating the creation of micro-fi nancing loans for upstart businesses, Paula created a website that would help attract new lenders from abroad.

recentprojects

FSD annual report 07/087

india I was impressed and inspired by the commitment of the FSD staff and other volunteers to really interact with the communities they are working with enabling a meaningful experience for the interns and lasting change within the communities involved. Completing this internship taught me creative approaches to grassroots development work and the experience changed my perspective in many ways. FSD is dedicated to sustainable, environmentally responsible development work and the hard work and success of this foundation should be recognized.

—Wendy BamatterNYC Dept. of Social Services

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Madeline Gressel traveled to Udaipur, India with FSD to work as a teacher in a small school for poor children, called the Talent Academy. She worked with 120 students daily, in sections of ten students at a time. In the mornings she worked with the seven year olds, and in the afternoon

she worked with eleven year olds.

Dave Bullon Patten worked with ACCESS Development Services, an Indian non profi t company, which has a presence in several Indian states. ACCESS partners with local Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to improve the livelihoods of India’s poorest and develop local fi nancial services that can support their income generating activities. He was involved with various projects, but eventually focused his work on the Microfi nance Institution (MFI) incubation project. His eff orts over the past 7 months enabled partner NGOs to disperse $125,000, giving over 1000 men and women in

Southern Rajasthan access to microloans.

recentprojects

8FSD annual report 07/08

kenya As a young professional looking for a career change, FSD enabled me to spend time in a medical setting in Kenya, practicing public health techniques, basic nursing care, and learning a host of skills that I still use today in my public health and nursing life. By introducing me to incredible people (teachers, nurses, mothers) in Kenya, by supporting me personally and professionally, and by creating and implementing a structured process that allowed me to volunteer successfully and purposefully, FSD truly changed my path.

—Elizabeth CrettiStanford University

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While working with Kakamega Environmental Education Program, Jamie Pottern sought to understand how the needs of local community members contributed to the exploitation of the Kakamega forest. She compiled a report to show what issues should be addressed to prevent further degradation and identifi ed several sustainable income-generating projects to provide community members with a means to improve their social status.

Th rough a local NGO called Muslims for Human Rights, Jenn Hollern helped to assist juveniles navigate the intimidating Kenyan legal system. She also helped in the construction of a new dining hall at the Remand Home for Children and initiated its conversion to an all-purpose activity room. Following completion of the building project, Jenn was instrumental in attracting speakers and visitors to the youth center.

In western Kenya, Lisa Curtis volunteered with a group called Community Action for Rural Development (CARD). As part of an attempt to preserve the rapidly contracting Kakamega forest, CARD is striving to promote the use of cow dung biogas as an alternative fuel. By demonstrating the use of an anaerobic digestor - the tool necessary for this process - Lisa and CARD helped to dispel local misunderstandings about their aff ordability and use.

recentprojects

FSD annual report 07/089

nicaraguanicaragua FSD supports the implementation of criticial environmental

initiatives around the world. Th e organization takes a holistic

approach to the most pressing human development and

environmental issues. By supporting grassroots projects related

to health, education, appropriate technology, human rights,

women’s empowerment, and micro-fi nance, FSD makes it

possible for communities to improve their environments.

Lastly FSD moblilizes and trains interns who return home

and infuse the knowledge they gained overseas into their daily

lives.

—Jackie PowellUniversity of Michigan

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Paul Cook worked with the Association of the Development of Chaguitillo to preserve the petroglyphs in the local ravine and help to remediate contaminationcaused by agriculture and cattle farming upstream. Th e nearby Pre-Colombian museum is now able to take full advantage of tours in the beautiful ravine, contributing

to a new revenue stream.

Danielle Hughes spent time working with CODESCO near Jinotepe, a small town south of the capital. Th ere she worked mainly with 8-18 year old children at an after-school program, teaching them valuable vocational skills and keeping them off the streets in the evening. She invested a great amount of time with the parents and families of these children to ensure they were getting the most out of both their school lives and their home lives.

recentprojects

10FSD annual report 07/08

2008

2007

FSD annual report 07/0811

grantsgrants

$94,068 in seed grants, grant competition, and designated donations

$113,303

in seed grants, grant competitions,

direct to NGO grants, and designated donations

Grant competition by country

Grant competition by country

12FSD annual report 07/08

peoplepeopleBoard of Directors

Dr. Lori Allio, Chair Don Baker, Vice ChairDr. Duncan Chaplin, Secretary Juliana Matson, TreasurerJulie Reed Dr. Marc D. ShapiroDr. Alicia Robb Wingee SinCrane Curran Adaora Ikenze-LindseyAnkit Kumar Joe LombardoSusan Sueiro

financefinance

FSD annual report 07/0815

International Expenses $572,404.00Personnel Expenses

Salaries & Related $280,266.00Miscellaneous Expenses

Offi ce Expenses $31,122.00Occupancy $29,399.00Travel & Meetings $22,787.00Marketing & Outreach $1,099.00Other $239,597.00

Earned Revenues $984,921.00

Contributed Support ontributed Support $223,442.0$223,442.00

Other$3,953.00

Investment Income$13,782.00

Expenditures & Earnings

2007

Expense Breakdown Income Breakdown

$572,404.00$572$572$324,004.00

$280,266.00

Miscellaneous Expenses

International Expenses

Personnel Expenses

$223,442.00

$1,002,656.00

$1,176,674.00

$1,226,098.00

Contributed Income

Earned Income

Expenditures & Earnings

2008

Expense Breakdown Income Breakdown

$672,323.00$672,$672$263,027.00

$450,719.00

Miscellaneous Expenses

International Expenses

Personnel Expenses

$260,951.00

$1,043,962.00

Contributed Income

Earned Income

International Expenses $672,323.00Personnel Expenses

Salaries & Related $375,877.00Contract/Personnel $74,842.00

Miscellaneous Expenses Offi ce Expenses $50,909.00Occupancy $26,989.00Marketing & Outreach $13,430.00Travel & Meetings $12,694.00Fundraising $8,298.00Information Technology $6,476.00Insurance $3,178.00Other $141,053.00

Earned Revenues $1,031,768.00

Contributed Support ontributed Support $260,951.0$260,951.00

Other$6,212.00

Investment Income$5,982.00

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$1,386,069.00

$1,304,913.00

www.fsdinternational.org

about the foundation for sustainable developmentThe Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profi t 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

The Foundation for Sustainable Development’s fi nancial statements were independently audited by the accounting fi rm of Regalia and Associates and received an unqualifi ed audit opinion as to their fair presentation in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A complete set of audited fi nancial statements is available upon request.

foundation for sustainable development517 potrero avenue, suite b

san francisco, ca 94110tel: 415.283.4873fax: 415.621.5476

GRANTMAKING TO COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROJECTS AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects and capacity building initiatives led by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

FSD is a not-for-profi t charitable organization with 501(c)(3) status. We are a non-endowed foundation and rely on the annual support of generous individuals, foundations, and corporations.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONSOur professional fi eld staff , consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training, capacity building, and networking opportunities to more than 200 community-based organizations.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS

FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that refl ect sustainable principles.

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