PARTNERSHIP AND PROJECT GUIDELINES
Buddhist Global Relief’s relationships with our partner organizations are true partnerships. We work closely with our partners to support them in designing their projects and often collaborate on the growth of projects over multiple years, in response to changing needs on the ground and in alignment with our organizations’ shared missions. Our funding is by invitation only, and prospective partners are invited to submit applications on an annual basis. BGR does not have the capacity to respond to unsolicited funding requests.
BGR’s primary purpose is to combat hunger. We work to relieve hunger by providing food to those in need, and to enable those affected by chronic food shortages to develop stable, long-term strategies to improve food security. We concentrate on small-scale projects that promise to yield the most enduring and substantial returns in long-term poverty alleviation. We work with partners in four major project areas:
PROJECT POLICIES
1. BGR generally works through partnerships with respected and experienced nonprofit organizations functioning on the ground in the countries and communities where the projects are implemented. The size of our organization and the need to adhere to our budget place limits on our ability to respond to large-scale catastrophes.
2. We expect organizations seeking grants from BGR to apply in advance and submit the BGR application form, which will be carefully evaluated by the BGR Board of Directors once a year in the spring. BGR requests 990 forms (or equivalent) of potential partner organizations along with their applications.
3. BGR requires regular reports from project partners on the implementation and achievements of the programs we sponsor.
4. BGR does not discriminate with regard to religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, or gender.
5. BGR’s guiding purpose is purely charitable, and thus we do not attempt to propagate Buddhism or to influence the religious beliefs of the beneficiaries.
6. BGR does not provide financial aid for the construction or renovation of temples and monasteries or other kinds of religious sites and facilities, nor does it promote specifically religious activities.
7. BGR will cooperate on relief projects with organizations representing other religions, on condition that the intention on both sides is purely philanthropic and no agenda of religious proselytizing is involved. We seek to work in harmony with those of all faiths to alleviate the plight of the poor.
8. BGR does not support any program that raises animals for slaughter or that pays others to slaughter animals for its program. We do not insist, however, that all BGR-sponsored food programs distribute exclusively vegetarian foods, just as the Buddha himself did not require vegetarianism of his disciples.
10. BGR does not fund governmental, political, or military organizations. We also do not help individuals or families on an individual basis.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES
FOR OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
We at Buddhist Global Relief recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption to the work of many of our partners around the world. In order to best support you in serving those most in need, BGR is prepared to give you as much flexibility as you may need to carry out your work.
We understand that many of your proposed projects may have to change in order to meet the needs of the communities you serve. We are aware that your funding from other sources may be reduced at this time, and that you may need an extension to meet your reporting requirements to BGR.
If you need to make any changes in your proposed project, please drop us an email to let us know about the changes you would like to make. Our projects staff are available to discuss these with you and consider how we can best support your important work in this challenging time.
