Baalu Girma Foundation Po Box Livonia, MI 48153

Foundation Fact Sheet Founded: February 14, 2009 Founded: February 14, 2009 Tax status: non-profit- 501(C)(3) Tax status: non-profit- 501(C)(3) The Foundation operates in: Ethiopia & USA The Foundation operates in: Ethiopia & USA Current board members: Current board members: Meskerem Baalu Girma – President Meskerem Baalu Girma – President Zelalem Baalu Girma – Secretary Zelalem Baalu Girma – Secretary Mesfin Feleke - Treasurer Mesfin Feleke - Treasurer

Our Mission Empowering journalists & creative writers Empowering journalists & creative writers The Foundation believes: The Foundation believes: Creative writing and journalism professions play vital roles in our lives by: Creative writing and journalism professions play vital roles in our lives by: Engaging & expanding our imagination Engaging & expanding our imagination Adding insight & understanding to our world-view Adding insight & understanding to our world-view Helping us protect and preserve important values Helping us protect and preserve important values

Our Vision Partners: We will work hard to foster mutual respect and collaboration. We will remain responsive and accountable – and expect the same in return Partners: We will work hard to foster mutual respect and collaboration. We will remain responsive and accountable – and expect the same in return Programs: We will offer programs that will continue to be stimulating and relevant. Working with our partners, we will invest in innovative ideas to empower others. The foundation will be a powerful resource. Programs: We will offer programs that will continue to be stimulating and relevant. Working with our partners, we will invest in innovative ideas to empower others. The foundation will be a powerful resource. Associates: We believe people are our most important asset. We will create a work environment where people have opportunity to learn, seek challenges, and be reward for their accomplishments. Associates: We believe people are our most important asset. We will create a work environment where people have opportunity to learn, seek challenges, and be reward for their accomplishments.

Vision Continued… Participants: We pledge to treat everyone with respect and fairness. It is our wish and belief that people will use their knowledge and personal advancement to do greater good for others. Participants: We pledge to treat everyone with respect and fairness. It is our wish and belief that people will use their knowledge and personal advancement to do greater good for others. Management: We realize we make mistakes. We also believe it is more important to learn from our mistakes. We will remain open-minded, continually invest in our learning, and commit to learning from the best. Management: We realize we make mistakes. We also believe it is more important to learn from our mistakes. We will remain open-minded, continually invest in our learning, and commit to learning from the best.

Our Guiding Principles Passion for what we do & relentless pursuit to be better Passion for what we do & relentless pursuit to be better Attracting those who are committed to their own success and are driven by service to others Attracting those who are committed to their own success and are driven by service to others Building an organization that encourages learning & creative thinking Building an organization that encourages learning & creative thinking Maintaining expertise & focus Maintaining expertise & focus Integrity, encouraging diversity, and enterprising attitude Integrity, encouraging diversity, and enterprising attitude

Organizational Strategies Partnerships Partnerships Acquiring, developing, and maintaining leadership talent Acquiring, developing, and maintaining leadership talent Working with clear & measurable goals Working with clear & measurable goals Adopting proven and innovative methodologies Adopting proven and innovative methodologies

Programs in Development Distance Learning Opportunities Distance Learning Opportunities Grant writing Grant writing Professional Development Programs Professional Development Programs Scholarship Assistance Scholarship Assistance