My Nonprofit Reviews

I've worked with Friendship Bridge for several years now. It's one of the most effective charities I've found. They have a board of directors that operates very professionally, that develops a strategic plan AND THEN CARRIES IT OUT. I also appreciate that they've begun measuring their achievements using a standard developed for international use by charities. It's good to know that Friendship Bridge isn't just relying on a bunch of feel-good anecdotes to gauge their progress.

A couple of years ago I visited their main office in Panajachel. I was able to talk with several of the employees there, and I can't tell you how impressed I was that every single person I spoke with was very clear about the purpose of the organization and enthusiastic about their part in accomplishing that purpose. That's a sign of excellent leadership.

I was also able to visit a number of clients in Guatemala, in two of the provinces. It's nearly overwhelming to me how hard it is to provide effective help for these women in these very poor, very challenging situations. And there's Friendship Bridge, providing not only micro-loans but also education, and now they also have additional programs to help artisans and food-raising businesses specifically to improve. And their partnership with Mayan Health is giving these clients access to health care that many have never had in their lives.

So, it's not only the need that brings me to support this charity, but it's the combination of good purpose, effective programs, sound fiscal management, and excellent leadership. And the huge amount of unmet need in that country. My husband and I expect to be lifelong contributors to this charity.