IFOB

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International Friends of Belize (IFOB) is a non-profit membership organization founded in 2004 by former Peace Corps volunteers who lived and worked in Belize. IFOB is a US-registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization which receives funding through annual membership dues, donations, and grants. Since IFOB is completely ran by volunteers, 96 cents of every dollar received directly support IFOB projects in the communities of Belize.

IFOB was incorporated to provide former volunteers, and anyone else with experience or interest in Belize, with the opportunity to stay connected with one another and support community-based projects in Belize. IFOB projects include scholarship programs for secondary school students, small grants for environmental and health projects, and other endeavors which support Belizeans in addressing the challenges and issues facing their communities.

Since its inception in 2004, IFOB has grown significantly in both membership and funds raised. In 2005 the first scholarship program was created in Stann Creek. In 2006 IFOB's scholarship program was expanded to include Corozal district, and in 2006 nearly 20 Belizean students received full scholarships to attend secondary school.

In 2006 IFOB also launched a Community Grant Program, and was able to award three grants to community organizations in Belize. IFOB provided a grant to the Cornerstone Foundation in Cayo district to fund a youth-centered HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention project. In the same year, IFOB provided supplies to a Belize City chess club, as well as a grant to fund an environmental project in Seine Bight village.

IFOB's web site, with further information, is located at http://www.friendsofbelize.org