Submitted by Kevin Barber, Chairman of the BNI Foundation Worldwide Inc. & Executive Director of BNI Germany South-West
The BNI
Foundation has enjoyed a strong start to 2019. With over 250,000 business
owners in more than 70 countries building new connections by the day, it will
come as no surprise that as a Foundation we are also striving to expand our
footprint globally. We do this by identifying local coordinators in active BNI
countries who have a passion for children and their educational
opportunities.
Furthering the
Foundation’s cause, I’m proud to announce that we have just signed the
documents that establish the BNI Foundation Spain SLC. That said, BNI Spain has
already been proactive in their support of our initiatives. In January, BNI Las Palmas, Gran Canaria,
organized a spectacular benefit gala to raise funds to upgrade a local
children’s hospital, with total donations of more than €32,000, significantly
exceeding all expectations!
Across the Mediterranean,
BNI Italy continues to lead the way with their incredible initiatives in
support of Business Voices. A compilation of their many projects was featured
at the Italian National Conference, which I attended, along with BNI Founder and
Chief Visionary Officer, Dr. Ivan Misner, and his lovely wife Beth, Co-Founder
and Board Secretary of the Foundation.
Our global impact
doesn’t stop there. In May, the BNI National Office of the UAE held its very
first Business Voices Event, the “BNI Giftar.” This event raised funds in
excess of $17,000 (AED 65,000) for the Basma program of the Al Jalila
Foundation during the month of Ramadan.
Progress
continues to be made as we are the process of formally establishing the
Foundation in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Hong Kong,
China, Malaysia, India, Israel, South Africa, Peru, and many more who are
expected to follow by the end of the year.
It is common for
successful foundations to have an endowment fund – a substantial capital base
generating a regular flow of income.
In April, during
the BNI U.S. National Convention in Dallas, something very special happened. To
get us started, Dr. Misner and Beth, co-founders of the original BNI Foundation
20 years ago, generously offered to seed the Misner Endowment Fund with an
incredible sum of $100,000! Due to this and the incredible support of the
Directors attending the convention, we’re currently approaching close to $200,000 in
total.
We encourage
Members, Chapters and Directors to join us and help grow this fund as a means
to make a significant difference in children’s lives across the world.
There are currently
3 levels of support for the Misner Endowment Fund:
Misner Fellow
$2,500
Misner Senior Fellow
$5,000
Misner Diamond Fellow
$10,000
A sincere THANK
YOU to all who have entrusted their pledges and donations to us. Your trust is
truly appreciated. BNI Italy has now become the first region in the world to
become a Misner Diamond Fellow, and we warmly invite any of you who are
interested in joining us to reach out and learn more.
Thanks to you and
to many like you, the momentum is building!
Tell Us About Your Business Voices Efforts
You organized the team, did the work and put together a great project to help students in your community. Now let us shine a light on your efforts. By completing the Business Voices monthly form you will inspire others by letting the world know what your team is doing. Send us photos, videos and details of your event so we can highlight it on our website and social media.
You can find the form here. You can also visit our site to learn about past Business Voices successes.
