 The BNI Foundation, a non-profit program created by BNI in 1998 to support charitable causes, has reached a milestone in its history. Co-founders of the Foundation Elisabeth and Ivan Misner state, “We are thrilled to announce that as of May of this year, the BNI Foundation has contributed over $1 million to charities around the world since its inception in 1998!”
The BNI Foundation has a focus on children’s educational programs, but allows donor-directed contributions as well. Examples of directed donations include over $100,000 to the 9/11 relief effort, $72,000 to tsunami relief and over $25,000 for Haiti earthquake relief, as well as donations for Hurricane Katrina relief. Children’s educational programs which have been supported include building preschools in India; building preschools, a library, and putting tin roofs on schools in Indonesia; buying school uniforms for students in Kenya; and stocking a library in South Africa with books.
Said Ivan Misner:
“The BNI Foundation has been able to contribute this significant amount of money to charities worldwide largely because of the kindness and generosity of BNI members and Directors around the world who believe firmly in the Givers Gain philosophy. On behalf of the entire BNI organization, Elisabeth and I would like to offer our sincerest gratitude to all those who continue to make it possible for BNI to positively impact the world through the BNI Foundation.”
The Foundation has an ongoing program where donors can contribute monthly. These donors are called Monthly Heroes ($50 per month) or Monthly Super Heroes ($100 per month). Individuals can be designated as Givers Gain Grant Sponsors ($1,000 donation) or Master Givers Gain Grant Sponsors ($2000 donation).
To continue the charitable work of the Foundation, BNI announces each year that October is BNI FOUNDATION AWARENESS MONTH. During October, various promotions and contributions to charities are made. The last week of October, 2010 will once again play host to the “Each 1 Give ($)1 to Teach 1” initiative where BNI members are asked to consider donating $1 or more to the Foundation. With over 131,000 members, each member’s minimum $1 donation would make it possible to contribute over $131,000 to children’s educational programs. Members are asked to donate online at the BNI Foundation website during the week of October 25th.
The BNI Foundation’s motto is “improving tomorrow’s business through education today.” For more information or to learn how you can support the work being done through the Foundation, please go to www.BNIFoundation.org.
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