The Better World Fund

How is it that a charity can forward all grassroots donations to implementing partners in mine-affected countries?   Adopt-A-Minefield is able to accomplish this due to the generous support of our fiscal partner, the Better World Fund (BWF).   Over the last six years, through matching and challenge grants, the BWF has contributed over $3.25 million to support AAM’s outreach and program costs.

In 1997, businessman and philanthropist Ted Turner made an unprecedented gift of $1 billion in support of U.N. efforts on global issues. He chose to channel his historic global commitment through the U.N. because of its vital role as the primary forum for international cooperation, peace, security and international development.    The United Nations Foundation (UNF) was founded and out of this grew its sister organization, the Better World Fund.

The Better World Fund operates for one overarching purpose – to strengthen the goals and objectives of the U.N. – through three distinct kinds of activities: efforts that advance public understanding and support for the United Nations; projects that have high catalytic potential for enhancing the work of the U.N.; and special activities that advance the goals and objectives of the U.N. and international cooperation.

The BWF is a vehicle for public education on behalf of the United Nations and its work.   While the Foundation makes grants only to U.N. programs and agencies, the BWF works in parallel on projects that champion the U.N. and its work among the general public, the media, opinion leaders and elected officials.

The AAM/BWF partnership has been a very successful case of venture philanthropy. The BWF has contributed $3.25 million to AAM enabling AAM to raise over $14 million for mine action as well as an additional $5 million for program support and outreach.  As a result, every dollar that the BWF has invested in AAM, has generated a $6 return.    The best part is that this astounding return has a direct benefit for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, making their homes safer and helping to rebuild their war-torn communities.  AAM also directly supports the mission of the BWF through our partnership with the U.N. and our outreach to and awareness raising among UNA members, schools, faith-based organizations and other community groups across the USA, Canada, Sweden and the UK.  

The support of the BWF has been critical in allowing AAM to forward 100 percent of grassroots donations to the U.N. and other mine action partners in mine affected countries and has been a cornerstone of AAM’s outreach strategy.

AAM is proud to have the BWF as its partner and looks forward to continued collaboration with them in resolving one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises of our time.

To learn more about the BWF please visit www.unfoundation.org or www.betterworldfund.org.