BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS

 
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CONTRIBUTORS   • Make On-Line Donation Past Trips Upcoming Trips The Spirit of B3

BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS (B3) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization [Tax ID # = 01-0566395] that sends high school students to global destinations (primarily emerging countries nations) to build community facilities. Past projects include the construction of medical clinics, school, daycare centers, youth facilities, and homes.

A unique aspect of the program is that parents are not permitted to pay for their children to participate in the experience. Instead, funding is provided by monies raised by the students. Each B3 student must raise money by:
  • participating in fundraising events,
  • asking friends and families for financial donations for their project, and
  • performing an array of community service projects locally.
The money raised by these efforts goes into individual student accounts. These funds cover the project expenses -- transportation, food, lodging and a portion of the building materials.

Each B3 student is responsible for raising $2,550 (in 2010); however, the actual full cost on a per student basis is approximately $2,800 to $3,000. Tax-deductible donations to BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS supplement the cost differential for each student's trip and project costs.

Students who participate in the B3 program are hugely committed. They begin to establish a pattern of lifelong humanitarian service, learn to work as part of a team, develop leadership skills, and gain exposure to global issues and problems facing emerging countries.

The host community supports the building project by arranging for project details such as housing and meals and transportation. Local residents work alongside the students to foster relationships between the two cultures. B3 students experience their surroundings by participating in activities unique to the local community. B3 trips are not teenage spring break tours; they are a hard-working, humbling, character building, and learning experiences.

Founded in 1993, BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS has grown tremendously in recent years - in 2001, 80 students from Westport, CT participated in the program; in 2010, 320 students (and 54 adult advisors) from numerous towns in the northeast US will venture to Peru. Due to the growth, continued interest, and potential for the program to expand, the B3 organization finds itself with the need to seek corporate and foundation monies for the following:
  • Financial Aid funding for economically disadvantaged students. The current methods which students earn money for their trips/projects have proved impractical for economically disadvantaged students.
  • More aggressive projects both in terms of the scope of the projects and in employing members of emerging countries communities to assist on project work.
  • Leadership training component for high school seniors prior to the project to develop leadership and teaching skills so they can take charge of the groups when abroad.
  • Support administrative and organizational overhead. Each additional B3 Team enables 35 more students to participate in the program and facilitates additional building opportunities. As the B3 organization grows, however, volunteers alone cannot manage the program. Overhead costs associated with additional trips include administrative personnel, advisor (trip chaperones) costs, and technology.
Foundations interested in youth development, community service, international development, social entrepreneurship, leadership development, and service learning may be a good match for funding B3. Companies that have an interest in the mission, objectives, and locations of international project work may be interested in branding opportunities or general support for the B3 organization.

B3 welcomes the opportunity to provide details and to explore the creation of a mutually beneficial relationship with potential donors. Please visit http://www.buildersbeyondborders.org or contact us directly for more information.


Materials available upon request include:
  1. Project list from past years and project descriptions for the upcoming year.
  2. List of fundraising events for students to earn funds for their accounts.
  3. List of local community service projects performed by B3 students.
  4. List of staff and Board of Directors members.
  5. Audited financial statements


   
 
Builders Beyond Borders • 8 Willard Road • Norwalk, CT 06851 USA
Tel: (203) 847-5220 • Fax: (203) 847-5112
Email: info@buildersbeyondborders.org