Foundation Matters
Foundation Matters: The View from the President
Why This Foundation?
As the world burns and covid-19 spreads, now more than ever we must look to indigenous communities. More self-sufficient that other communities, indigenous peoples’ knowledge on everything from living sustainably to traditional healing methods are necessary for human survival. This Foundation is devoted to the exchange of information between indigenous communities and the western world.
Who is Anne Marie Deruyttere?
A Belgian citizen, Anne worked for thirty years to bring indigenous peoples’ rights, lands, and communities to the attention of the international community. Trained as both an economist and an anthropologist, Anne was the first anthropologist hired by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in 1982. Before Anne, indigenous communities were disregarded by the IDB whenever projects and programs were designed. Yet her influence was so broad, indigenous peoples’ concerns, rights, and input was eventually included in the fundamental tenants of the bank’s replenishment in 1998.
Who Am I?
I was married to Anne from 1988 until her untimely death in 2018. She is finished working, but her work isn’t finished.
How Does This Foundation Operate?
We have established as a nonprofit entity in both the United States and Belgium. The operating expenses are 100% covered by my donations. We have assembled an international Board of Directors, who will review grant proposals to guide our efforts to have the most impact possible.
What Do We Fund?
We aim to provide funding to fill in the gaps that other sources cannot. For example, we recently funded six individuals to obtain training in indigenous expertise from King Carlos III University in Madrid, Spain (more on this initiative next blog). We will look to fund micro-enterprise start-ups for indigenous communities to allow them to produce and market arts and crafts.
Who Inspired Us?
Besides Anne, we build on the work done by indigenous leaders such as Carlos Mendes and Rigoberta Menchu. We also draw on the famed Belgian priest, Damien DeVeuster of Molokai, whose statue stands in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.
Call to Act
Join us by making a donation to continue our work. We provide funding to indigenous organizations or those working with indigenous organizations, so your money can have a direct impact on indigenous individuals. Help us fund the next indigenous entrepreneur or educate the next indigenous leader.