How is Blue Heron Foundation Organized?

Blue Heron Foundation was founded on the belief that with the help of a select group of people, and without a significant time commitment, we can have a profound impact in the lives of abandoned Romanian children.

We have a simple approach:

Create a powerful group of Blue Heron Foundation Membres: Specifically 200 individuals or families who are ready to commit $500 or more annually. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law and matching grants are accepted.

Target:

Orphaned and abandoned Romanian youth attending Romanian universities.

Provide them with financial support: up to $600/year in school fees and up to $65 monthly stipend as well as individual mentors for emotional support and guidance.

Award:

70 scholarships have been awarded so far and 14 of our scholars have already graduated and are working in various industries.

Welcome:

contributions of any size from anyone or any institution wishing to help Romanian abandoned children in need. Donations may be made via:

check, VISA, AMEX, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD.
100% OF YOUR DONATION GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CHILDREN IN NEED: as ALL foundation expenses are paid IN FULL by the founders

What projects has Blue Heron Foundation funded?
For a full description of previous projects, please visit the "Other Programs" page.

Our projects' criteria:
In selecting grant recipients, Blue Heron Foundation focuses on:
- Projects that will have a positive long-term and exponential effect on Romania's impoverished children;
- Projects that will positively impact the largest number of children using minimal amounts of money;
- Projects that will have maximum impact within a short time frame;
- Projects that can be monitored closely by Blue Heron Foundation officers, volunteers, and assigned local officials;
- Projects that allow Blue Heron Foundation to work closely with governmental organizations to ensure proper monitorization;
- Projects that will inspire other established Romanians, in Romania and abroad, to fundraise and give back to society.

(This is especially important since UNICEF, USAID, World Learning, and other prominent aid organizations will cut most of their programs by 2007 and stop operating in Romania by 2009.

By then, Romania will have to know how to fundraise and help its disadvantaged population on its own.)
To see some of the projects we have funded to date, please visit our ''Blue Heron Scholarship'' page and our ''Other Programs'' page.