The Borgen project

About us In a Nutshell: We fight extreme poverty. Mission Statement: The Borgen Project believes that leaders of the most powerful nation on earth should be doing more to address global poverty. We’re the innovative, national campaign that is working to make poverty a focus of U.S. foreign policy.

HISTORY In 1999, while working as a young volunteer in refugee camps during the Kosovo War and genocide, Clint Borgen recognized the need for an organization that could focus U.S. political attention on extreme poverty. In 2003, after graduating from Washington State University and interning at the United Nations, Borgen began developing the organization. In need of startup funding, Borgen took a job living on a fishing vessel docked in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (the same location as “The Deadliest Catch”). From humble beginnings in one of the most remote regions of the world, The Borgen Project was born. One man with a laptop and a budget that came from his Alaska paychecks has evolved into a national campaign with volunteers operating in 754 U.S. cities.

FOUNDER/PRESIDENT Clint Borgen is the Founder and President of The Borgen Project, an organization working to bring U.S. political attention to global poverty. Borgen works nationally with Congressional leaders to build support for legislation that improves conditions for people in developing nations. He is widely regarded as one of the leading poverty-reduction campaigners in the United States.

HOW WE OPERATE Advocate: We meet with U.S. Congressional leaders to secure support for crucial poverty-reducing legislation. Mobilize: We mobilize people across the globe behind efforts to make poverty a political priority. Educate: We teach basic advocacy skills that allow citizens to communicate with their government. Issue Message: We build awareness of global issues and innovations in poverty-reduction through our online and community presence.

Tackling Myths & Pessimism There is nothing complicated about improving living conditions for people suffering in abject poverty. Global poverty has been drastically reduced in recent years and there are many success stories of conditions being improved for families, villages and entire countries. The Borgen Project is challenging public and political pessimism in the U.S. and addressing the frequent justifications given as to why the U.S. isn’t doing more to address global poverty.

Promoters of Possibility The Borgen Project promotes innovations in poverty reduction and builds awareness of successes occurring by advocating, mobilizing, educating and issuing the message. Addressing the “Hero Goggles” The public drastically overestimates what is being done to address global poverty. On average, Americans estimate that 20% of the federal budget goes to foreign aid; in reality less than 1 percent goes to assisting the world’s poor. For political pressure to rise, you need to be aware of current shortcomings.

Strategic Reasons for U.S. Involvement The U.S. should prevent 25,000 children from dying each day, because the U.S. can prevent 25,000 children from dying each day. But beyond the humanitarian imperative, the United States has a strategic interest in improving the plight of the world’s poor. The Borgen Project is building awareness of the Economic, National Security and Diplomatic reasons for strong U.S. leadership in addressing global poverty.

How can you help? Call Congress – it only takes 30 seconds to make a difference Email Congress – https://borgenproject.org/action-center/ Donate – https://borgenproject.org/donate/ Volunteer - https://borgenproject.org/volunteer-opportunities/ & https://borgenproject.org/telecommute-internships/ Share & Post – post to your social media accounts

Questions? “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” – Nelson Mandela