Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
Founded January 16, 2010
Founder Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Location
Area served
 Haiti
Method Donations and grants
Website www.clintonbushhaitifund.org

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on January 16, 2010, by former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, to aid the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The organization was formed in response to the request of President Barack Obama for the former Presidents to assist in the Haitian rescue effort.[1] The fund concluded formal operations on December 31, 2012.[2]

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's efforts focused primarily on longer-term reconstruction, especially supporting job creation, workforce development, and the promotion of economic opportunity.[3] The fund's stated purpose was to support the restart, expansion and creation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, to which women are often key contributors; empower people and enterprises by helping them access the formal business sector; promote job creation (particularly jobs with direct social benefit, such as in health and education); and to provide life skills and job training, especially to youth, so that Haitians can embrace economic opportunity.[4]

Board of directors

In March 5, 2010, a six member board with two co-chairs, and a CEO, were announced:

Gary Edson, who served as Deputy National Security Adviser in President Bush’s administration, served as the Chief Executive Officer of the CBHF.[5]

Donations and Grants

The Clinton Bush Haiti fund raised $54.4 million from more than 2,000,000 individuals, businesses, and organizations. It dispersed funds to more than 50 organizations through grants, loans, and equity investments. As of December 2012, the Fund estimated that its programs sustained or created 7,350 jobs, trained 20,050 individuals, and had an additional positive impact on the conditions of more than 311,000 Haitians.[6]

Key focus areas for funding included providing small and growing businesses with access to financing, business services, and entrepreneurship training (36%); facilitating job training and workforce development (31%); responding to critical, unmet needs (23%); and supporting the recovery and expansion of microfinance institutions, many of whose beneficiaries are women (10%).[7]

After the Fund ceased formal operations on December 31, 2012, the Multilateral Investment Fund, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, took over management of programs which had not yet been fully completed and began receiving funds from remaining loans. They are charged with reinvesting loan repayments into programs consistent with the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's mission of promoting economic opportunity in Haiti.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "A Presidential Triple Plea for Haiti Fund" by Helene Cooper, The New York Times, January 16, 2010 (Jan. 17, 2010, p. A15, NY ed.). Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  2. ↑ Press Release: "The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Commits Its Remaining Funds" December 20, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  3. ↑ "About the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund," Retrieved 2010-07-14
  4. ↑ Press Release: "Over $1 Million in New Grants from Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to Rebuild Lives and Livelihoods" July 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
  5. ↑ "Press Release: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Appoints Board of Directors and CEO", Clinton Foundation, March 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  6. ↑ "Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Commits Its Remaining Funds". Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Final Report (PDF)".
  8. ↑ "Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Commits Its Remaining Funds". Retrieved February 5, 2013.