Recently, TIME Magazine named constituent organizations MAP International and CARE International  as two of their top ten recommended non-profits for donations to Nepalese relief following the disastrous earthquake which hit the country on April 25. The West Foundation also endorses these organizations, as well as relief work being done by our other partners, International Development Exchange (IDEX) and READ Global. Each of these have strong representation on the ground in Nepal through indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an excellent capacity for assisting relief efforts. Additionally, all have a sterling reputation for responsible use of funding. To give to one of these non-profits, click on Constituent Organizations to find a link to that organization’s website.

On April 17, the foundation’s Indianapolis-based partner, Building Tomorrow, held its annual “Build a School Night” benefit. I was in attendance along with our program officer, Samantha Alarie-Leca, and was privileged to see this young organization move and motivate its audience to give not just the $90,000 goal set for the evening, but to exceed it by $60,000 for a grand total of $150,000. This included an unexpected pledge from a donor for $30,000 – the cost of building an entire school in Uganda. Never let it be said that Midwesterners have no interest in international causes! Many will roll their eyes when I confess that I was so overwhelmed by this impromptu act of generosity that tears came to my eyes – let them. It was a wonderful evening that will allow the organization to build six of the sixty schools it plans to generate in Uganda by 2020 to complete its Clinton Global Initiative pledge. Congratulations to the Building Tomorrow staff and its Chief Dreamer, George Srour, on a job well done!