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EDUCARE- Education and Human Rights

EDUCARE is a private philanthropic organization located in Washington, D.C. dedicated to furthering the human development and dignity of disadvantaged people.

The foundation concentrates its funding in two program areas:  Basic Education and Human Rights.   In each area the foundation has a particular interest in building the capacity of organizations to translate new or experimental ideas into projects that will have a direct impact on improving education or human rights for disadvantaged people.

Geographically, most of the foundation’s funding for both Basic Education and Human Rights is directed to projects in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Central America.  It also supports education projects in Washington, D.C.  

BASIC EDUCATION

GOAL

To increase opportunities for children and adults in disadvantaged areas to meet their basic learning needs.

“Basic education” refers to the key cognitive, analytic and social skills needed to participate in and influence one’s environment.  Basic education provides children and adults not only with competency in literacy and numeracy, but also with the confidence and capacity to use those skills to solve problems, think critically, participate in family and community life and continue to learn.

Because learning is life long and a variety of means is necessary to make basic education available to all, the interest of the foundation spans from early childhood to adult learning and includes:

·        Early childhood development

·        Primary level schooling, both formal and nonformal

·        Middle and secondary level schooling

·        Education for over-age and out-of-school youth

·        Adult literacy, especially family-based.

STRATEGY

At each level from early childhood to adult learning, the foundation seeks to:

·        Expand access to education for those excluded from basic learning opportunities

·        Improve the quality and effectiveness of basic education opportunities in both formal and nonformal settings

·        Encourage creative approaches to learning based on new understandings of the rights, potential, and diversity of people in a changing world

HUMAN RIGHTS

GOAL

To promote and protect the human rights of particularly vulnerable individuals and groups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Because the creation of a culture of human rights requires both immediate and longer-term approaches, the foundation supports efforts to:

·        Document and publicize abuses and advocate to bring about accountability and changes in practice and policy

·        Strengthen the capacity of national organizations and communities to play effective roles as monitors and advocates of human rights.

STRATEGY

The foundation supports organizations that:

·        Define the protection and promotion of human rights as a primary goal

·        Work in countries or regions where there are or have been widespread abuses of human rights

·        Use human rights norms and treaties as reference points to monitor abuse and use mechanisms and institutions at national, regional, and international levels to bring about accountability and redress

·        Concentrate primarily, but not necessarily exclusively, on enforcement of civil and political rights  

PROJECT CRITERIA

In Basic Education and Human Rights the foundation seeks projects that have the following characteristics:

·        Build on local strengths and mobilize self-help action

·        Address needs that have widespread policy relevance

·        Respond creatively to key constraints or challenges

·        Illustrate approaches with potential for wide impact

·        Strengthen the capacity of national- or community-level institutions

·        Exhibit sound financial and management practices

·        Attract other sources of funding

·        Experiment with new forms of collaboration among communities, NGOs, and governments

TYPE OF GRANT SUPPORT

The foundation supports the work of both international NGOs and national NGOs.  U.S. organizations must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Non-U.S. organizations must be able to demonstrate that they have a similar tax-exempt status as a charitable or educational organization in their country.

The foundation also works with universities and other educational institutions, particularly when they collaborate with NGOs, governments, and communities.  It does not provide grants directly to communities, nor does it provide direct support to governments.

Grants are given for specific projects, for larger-scale multi-site programs, and in selected instances, for general institutional support.  Planning activities may be included as part of a project, but generally the foundation does not provide initial planning grants.  Similarly, a proposal may include funding for workshops, conferences, research, documentation, and study or exposure visits, but in most cases the foundation does not support these activities separately.

The foundation prefers to give multi-year grants in order to enter into partnerships with organizations that encourage creative experimentation and learning for greater effectiveness.  Annual installments of multi-year grants are contingent on progress achieved each year.  A grant usually extends for two or three years, with the possibility of a new phase of support for the original activity or a different aspect of an organization’s work upon the activity’s completion.

The foundation does not provide support to individuals, organizations that have religious affiliations or individual schools, unless the project is designed to benefit other schools or organizations.  It does not usually fund endowments, annual fund-raising campaigns, construction costs, or the purchase of vehicles and major equipment items.   

Geographically, the foundation prefers to limit its involvement to selected priority countries in Africa, Asia, and Central America.  Some proposals, therefore, may not be funded because they fall outside current priority countries.

APPLYING FOR A GRANT

Organizations are invited to submit a letter or brief concept paper to introduce a proposed project.  If it appears that the proposed activity fits the interests of the foundation, a fuller proposal will be requested.

A proposal should generally be no more than 10 to 15 pages in length and should include a concise summary (approximately one-half page) of the proposed project.

The foundation does not have a particular format for proposals.  The following questions, however, indicate the type of information that will be useful in reviewing your proposal:

Project Design

·        What need or problem does the project address?  How was the need or problem identified?

·        Who are the intended participants and beneficiaries?

·        What are the anticipated outcomes of the project?  What are the direct benefits for the participants and beneficiaries?  What are the longer-term, broader impacts that this project will have on the need or problem that you have identified?

·        What are the major activities planned and how will they address the needs/problems described?  Please include a schedule of activities for the first year.

·        How does this project relate to other activities (education or human rights, as applicable) underway in the area?

·        What is innovative or new in the proposed approach and how does it build on lessons learned from related experiences?

Implementing Organization

·        What experience or background does your organization have to implement this project?

·        How will this project relate to other activities in which you are involved?

·        What other organizations, including government, will you collaborate with in this project and what will be their respective roles?

·        Who will be primarily responsible for implementing this project and what relevant experience does she/he bring to this effort?

Monitoring and assessment

·        How will you assess this project? 

·        How will you know you have achieved the anticipated results?

·        What do you want to learn from the project?

·        How will you share your results and experiences with other organizations?

Budget

·        What is the total budget for this project?  How much and for which items are you requesting support from Banyan Tree Foundation?  How are you covering the other items?

·        What is the current annual operating budget of your organization?

In addition to the above information, please include a copy of your organization’s annual report and most recent audited financial statement.

Concept letters and proposals may be submitted at any time.  The Board of Directors of Educare meets regularly throughout the year to review requests.

Concept letters and proposals may be emailed, faxed, or mailed to:

            11140 Rockville Pike #196                               Office    301-588-2130   

                Rockville, MD 20852                                     Fax.      301-588-7610

Introduction to Educare    Educare- Helping you help others    Educare- Education & Human Rights   

About Jacqueline Hirsch (Director)    Contact Us