Genesis Foundation

The [http://www.genesis-foundation.org Genesis Foundation] is a non profit organization that gives quality education to disadvantaged children and chance for a successful future. Genesis accomplishes its mission by providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Colombia, and in Latino communities of New York, DC and Florida that are addressing the education needs of these children.

Background

The Genesis Foundation was established in 2001 by a group of Colombians and Americans that wanted to give back to the communities that allowed them to succeed. They decided to focus on education because of their belief that education is the building block for economic and social progress.

Why Genesis Foundation exists

Genesis will continue to work as long as there are children in Colombia or in Latino communities in the US who do not have access to a quality education.

Educational Challenge in Colombia
* More than one million children do not attend school [ Informe de Progreso Educativo Colombia 2006 - Hay Avances, pero quedan Desafios. PREAL, Corpoeducacion, Fundacion Corona, Empresarios por la Educacion. Colombia December 2006]
* 1 out of 2 Colombians in school today will not graduate from high school [ Situación de la Educación Preescolar, Basica, Media y Superior en Colombia - Segunda Edicion. Corpoeducacion: Fernandes, Isabel; Villa, Leonardo; Castano Mesa, Lina; Diaz Matajira, Luis. Proyecto Educacion Compromiso de Todos. Colombia April 2006 ]
* 7 out of 100 Colombians do not know how to read or write [ Informe de Progreso Educativo Colombia 2006 - Hay Avances, pero quedan Desafios. PREAL, Corpoeducacion, Fundacion Corona, Empresarios por la Educacion. Colombia December 2006 ]
* 14% of children suffer from malnutrition [ "Mapa del Hambre" del Programa Mundial de Alimentos. www.wfp.org ]

Educational Challenges for Latinos in the US
* Hispanic are twice as likely to drop out of school before their high school graduation [US Department of Education 2005]
* Many are struggling to learn English
* Latinos perform 10% below the average population in reading and math tests [ US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics 2005 ]

Genesis' model

Annually, Genesis awards at least $1 million dollars in grants to non-profit organizations that provide education services to children up to 18 years old; 80% to nonprofits in Colombia and 20% in the US – benefiting more than 35,000 children per year. For guidelines on how to request a proposal visit [http://www.genesis-foundation.org www.genesis-foundation.org]

Genesis grants range between $15,000 and $200,000. Genesis provides funding for general operations, programs, capacity building and/or infrastructure to organizations that operate/provide:
*Schools
*Preschools
*Education Projects - projects that aim to improve curricula, academic modles, etc.
*Complementary Services - programs that complement education and improve students ability to learn (ie Health initiatives, nutrition, vocational training, school reinforcement, parents role as eductors, career development)

References